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The Third World

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
0 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

Land rights:
In many 3rd World countries the land is owned by relatively few people or organisations (often multinational), who use it for plantations of cash-crops which can be sold. The mass of the population, who do not own land, cannot plant the subsistence crops they need to support themselves. If food prices are high and their wages are low, or they are unemployed, these people face malnutrition or even starvation.

Multinationals:
A company based in one country is subject to the laws of that country, pays taxes there, and can be controlled in its operations.
Multinationals however are not controlled that much. They act in their own interest.

Arms Trade:
Part of a government’s budget that is spent on defence. Industrialized countries support Arms Trade as many jobs are in manufacturing of arms. Many countries give credits to poor countries so that they can participate in Arms Trade.

Tied Aid:
Rich nations devote small portions of their budget to foreign aid. The idea is to make countries better by helping them to be able to help themselves. Sometimes the aid comes in the form of interest-free loans or capital. In most cases the countries that receive Tied Aid cannot decide how to use the help. The multinational companies profit from Tied Aid, too, because often the aid receiving countries buy products from the donor country.

Cash Crops:
Products like tea, coffee, cocoa, bananas or tobacco are Cash Crops.
Cash Crops are items that cannot be effectively consumed by the producing countries but bought by richer countries. Cash Crops are products that are sold on the world market.

Colonial history:
In many colonies the colonists organised trade and industry to serve their own interests. For instance, the raw materials were produced in the colony, and the processed in the metropolis using technology to make a finished product. This happened, for instance, with sugar in the Caribbean, cotton in India or copper in Zambia. The processing is the profitable part, and the resources of rich countries ensure their technology is always more advanced. The colonists often destroyed and agricultural system where fanning was carried out in harmony with nature, the result was erosion and soil exhaustion. Populations which could support themselves became dependent on wages instead.

Problems connected with multiculturalism in England:
- rough competition between immigrants and white citizens for the low number of jobs
- racism by dissatisfied whites (problem: jobs)
- substandard housing (run-down areas)
- development of ghettos
- ethnic segregation: different ethnic minorities live separated from each other
- riots
- racial tension
- violence
- unemployment
- prejudice
- people feel overrun
- people feel like foreigner are not willing to integrate into society
- fear of their own country turning “foreign”
- cultural differences

Summary
Immigrants
- legal
- temporary

Asylum seekers
- bogus
- genuine

Hopes
- living conditions
- work
- education

Commonwealth countries
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- Caribbean
- Africa

Problems
- competition (jobs)
- racism
- riots
- racial tension
- violence
- unemployment
- development of ghettos
- run-down areas
- ethnic minorities

Solutions
- government is to spend money on job creation
- social centres
- city councils
- community
- increase acceptance

Read More

The Third World

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
0 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

Land rights:
In many 3rd World countries the land is owned by relatively few people or organisations (often multinational), who use it for plantations of cash-crops which can be sold. The mass of the population, who do not own land, cannot plant the subsistence crops they need to support themselves. If food prices are high and their wages are low, or they are unemployed, these people face malnutrition or even starvation.

Multinationals:
A company based in one country is subject to the laws of that country, pays taxes there, and can be controlled in its operations.
Multinationals however are not controlled that much. They act in their own interest.

Arms Trade:
Part of a government’s budget that is spent on defence. Industrialized countries support Arms Trade as many jobs are in manufacturing of arms. Many countries give credits to poor countries so that they can participate in Arms Trade.

Tied Aid:
Rich nations devote small portions of their budget to foreign aid. The idea is to make countries better by helping them to be able to help themselves. Sometimes the aid comes in the form of interest-free loans or capital. In most cases the countries that receive Tied Aid cannot decide how to use the help. The multinational companies profit from Tied Aid, too, because often the aid receiving countries buy products from the donor country.

Cash Crops:
Products like tea, coffee, cocoa, bananas or tobacco are Cash Crops.
Cash Crops are items that cannot be effectively consumed by the producing countries but bought by richer countries. Cash Crops are products that are sold on the world market.

Colonial history:
In many colonies the colonists organised trade and industry to serve their own interests. For instance, the raw materials were produced in the colony, and the processed in the metropolis using technology to make a finished product. This happened, for instance, with sugar in the Caribbean, cotton in India or copper in Zambia. The processing is the profitable part, and the resources of rich countries ensure their technology is always more advanced. The colonists often destroyed and agricultural system where fanning was carried out in harmony with nature, the result was erosion and soil exhaustion. Populations which could support themselves became dependent on wages instead.

Problems connected with multiculturalism in England:
- rough competition between immigrants and white citizens for the low number of jobs
- racism by dissatisfied whites (problem: jobs)
- substandard housing (run-down areas)
- development of ghettos
- ethnic segregation: different ethnic minorities live separated from each other
- riots
- racial tension
- violence
- unemployment
- prejudice
- people feel overrun
- people feel like foreigner are not willing to integrate into society
- fear of their own country turning “foreign”
- cultural differences

Summary
Immigrants
- legal
- temporary

Asylum seekers
- bogus
- genuine

Hopes
- living conditions
- work
- education

Commonwealth countries
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- Caribbean
- Africa

Problems
- competition (jobs)
- racism
- riots
- racial tension
- violence
- unemployment
- development of ghettos
- run-down areas
- ethnic minorities

Solutions
- government is to spend money on job creation
- social centres
- city councils
- community
- increase acceptance

Read More

Multiculturalism

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
1 comment

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

- the colonial heritage , e.g. India, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria

General statements:
We know what is happening in the third world, we know what Tied Aid does or how Multinational companies work and what they cause, but we also want to be blindfolded, we want to ignore reality so what we only see what we like.

Foreign companies own virtually everything –from banks to agriculture facilities-. The main problem is, that the money, their profit, is not re-invested in the region. As a consequence the foreigners become richer while the native population remains at a level of poverty.

The IMF and the World Bank both lend money to highly indebted states and countries so that they have a chance of developing their own industry. Once the industry is settled, the economy can stabilize and the government can pay back the borrowed money.

What It Means to Be British, Robin Cook
Chicken Tikka Massala
- British is not a race, but a majority of different races and cultures
- naval supremacy
- 200 different languages spoken in London
- Pluralism contributes to culture
- cultural diversity = reason why international companies change their hq to London
- linguistic variety
- social enrichment
- Britain absorbs other culture’s traditions
- food = perfect example for that
- London = perfect hub
- not a burden but an asset

Tourists in Third World Countries

pro:
- bring along money – might improve economy
- tourists get to know the countries and their cultures – education of people
- improved infrastructure – higher standard of living (living conditions) for some people

against:
- companies that are not related to the 3rd World country earn most of the money (food, etc)
- foreign (higher developed) countries take away profits
- prostitution and drug business booms
- tourists are privileged

Caribbean’s diversity and problems

- Although the islands belonging to the Caribbean are small an incredibly huge diversity of nationalities, languages and cultures can be found
(great variety)

- They suffer from the same problems that 3rd World countries do:
- due to a similar shared history of slavery and sugarcane there are huge differences in the distribution of property and wealth
- that means that only a few people own a lot while the majority is poor
- they are missing essential goods such as medicine, education, etc.
- there is little to no schooling (lack of educational opportunities)
- 60-50 % can neither read nor write
- no decent jobs
- not able to afford decent housing
- slums
- low life expectation
- high infant mortality
- high crime rate
- lack of jobs
- lack of investors
- unstable economy

Basically all profit’s that were generated by the region’s resources were taken away (and are still) by Multinationals.
Though the region is rich on goods it doesn’t benefit from it.
Market is controlled by multinational companies that are able to set a price for a certain good. If the Caribbean economy doesn’t accept these framing conditions the companies will simply move away and leave the region in poverty.

Facts:
The Commonwealth Caribbean consists of the territories which used to be part of the British Empire, i.e. Belize and Guyana on the mainland as well as many islands.
The Bahamas, the Greater Antilles (Jamaica etc) and the Lesser Antilles.
Many countries gained independence in the 19th century.
Their political system is based on British democracy.
Commonwealth is a voluntary association of sovereign states, nearly all which were formerly British territories. Each country is independent.
53 countries, 1.6 billion people. Queen = head. Some flags feature the Union Jack (New Zealand and Australia).

Read More

Multiculturalism

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
1 comment

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

- the colonial heritage , e.g. India, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria

General statements:
We know what is happening in the third world, we know what Tied Aid does or how Multinational companies work and what they cause, but we also want to be blindfolded, we want to ignore reality so what we only see what we like.

Foreign companies own virtually everything –from banks to agriculture facilities-. The main problem is, that the money, their profit, is not re-invested in the region. As a consequence the foreigners become richer while the native population remains at a level of poverty.

The IMF and the World Bank both lend money to highly indebted states and countries so that they have a chance of developing their own industry. Once the industry is settled, the economy can stabilize and the government can pay back the borrowed money.

What It Means to Be British, Robin Cook
Chicken Tikka Massala
- British is not a race, but a majority of different races and cultures
- naval supremacy
- 200 different languages spoken in London
- Pluralism contributes to culture
- cultural diversity = reason why international companies change their hq to London
- linguistic variety
- social enrichment
- Britain absorbs other culture’s traditions
- food = perfect example for that
- London = perfect hub
- not a burden but an asset

Tourists in Third World Countries

pro:
- bring along money – might improve economy
- tourists get to know the countries and their cultures – education of people
- improved infrastructure – higher standard of living (living conditions) for some people

against:
- companies that are not related to the 3rd World country earn most of the money (food, etc)
- foreign (higher developed) countries take away profits
- prostitution and drug business booms
- tourists are privileged

Caribbean’s diversity and problems

- Although the islands belonging to the Caribbean are small an incredibly huge diversity of nationalities, languages and cultures can be found
(great variety)

- They suffer from the same problems that 3rd World countries do:
- due to a similar shared history of slavery and sugarcane there are huge differences in the distribution of property and wealth
- that means that only a few people own a lot while the majority is poor
- they are missing essential goods such as medicine, education, etc.
- there is little to no schooling (lack of educational opportunities)
- 60-50 % can neither read nor write
- no decent jobs
- not able to afford decent housing
- slums
- low life expectation
- high infant mortality
- high crime rate
- lack of jobs
- lack of investors
- unstable economy

Basically all profit’s that were generated by the region’s resources were taken away (and are still) by Multinationals.
Though the region is rich on goods it doesn’t benefit from it.
Market is controlled by multinational companies that are able to set a price for a certain good. If the Caribbean economy doesn’t accept these framing conditions the companies will simply move away and leave the region in poverty.

Facts:
The Commonwealth Caribbean consists of the territories which used to be part of the British Empire, i.e. Belize and Guyana on the mainland as well as many islands.
The Bahamas, the Greater Antilles (Jamaica etc) and the Lesser Antilles.
Many countries gained independence in the 19th century.
Their political system is based on British democracy.
Commonwealth is a voluntary association of sovereign states, nearly all which were formerly British territories. Each country is independent.
53 countries, 1.6 billion people. Queen = head. Some flags feature the Union Jack (New Zealand and Australia).

Read More

Shakespeare

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
0 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy! This part about Macbeth is especially long and detailed, hope anyone can use it!

Macbeth

Short characterizations:
Macbeth:
- a good vassal
- obedient general
- brutal
- courageous
- brave
- merciless
(changing in the course of the play)

Macbeth’s character changes from the beginning of the play to the end as at first he is presented as a noble, honorable and good vassal.
In the on going story he is a coward at one point and his manhood is questioned by his wife. He is lead by his fears, visions and prophecies.
In the end he has become a brutal, reckless and violent ruler “the tyrant” of Scotland. Both the witches and Lady Macbeth have a heavy influence on him and his personality.
In both cases this influence is negative, as for the witches and their prophecy he becomes narrow-minded and reckless and for his wife he turns into a violent beast.
He is more or less the witches’ toy.

Duncan:
- a good king
- gracious
- generous
- fair
- humane
- respectful

They are equally good men with opposing qualities.

Witches:
- supernatural beings: foresee the future, curse people, cast weather spells, ability to disappear
- human beings: human desire for sleep, exposed to the weather, depended on nutrition, reckless
- visions: invisible, outer appearance seems unreal, bubble-like, melting

Opening scenes in Macbeth:
- introducing the reader to a world of disorder
- the nature which is in uproar is matched by the society at war
- traitors and invaders have upset peace

Contrasts:
The atmosphere:
outside: thunderstorm, foggy
inside: warm

A summary of Macbeth:
King Duncan hears how Macbeth has been a brave warrior whilst fighting the Norwegians. Duncan gives Macbeth the title Thane of Cawdor as reward for his valour.
The old Thane of Cawdor is sentenced to death for being a traitor.
On their way back from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches who tell Macbeth that he will become the new Thane of Cawdor and also the new king of Scotland. The weird sisters tell Banquo that his descendants will be the future kings of Scotland. Macbeth is not sure whether this is true, but he soon told by a messenger that he is now the new Thane of Cawdor. This seems like the first part of the prophecy has come true.

Macbeth sends a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the witches predictions. She is excited about becoming queen, but fears that Macbeth is not ambitious enough to kill Duncan. When Macbeth arrives home she tries to persuade him to kill Duncan.
Macbeth eventually agrees with her.

Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and is greeted by the hosts. They hold a feast and most people get drunk. Macbeth is unsure about killing Duncan and decides to abandon his plan. Macbeth believes that Duncan is a good king and he comments that Duncan has said many good things about him. Lady Macbeth is angry that he has abandoned his plan and calls him a coward. Macbeth decides to go through with the plan to murder the king.

Later that night, whilst approaching Duncan’s room, he sees an imaginary dagger before his eyes. He follows the dagger to Duncan’s room. Macbeth creeps into his king’s room and murders him in cold blood. Lady Macbeth sees the daggers in Macbeth’s hands and rushes back to plant them on the servants.
Macduff arrives at the castle and discovers Duncan’s corpse and raises the alarm. Duncan’s sons, Malcom and Donalbain, quickly leave Scotland, because they might be suspected of killing their father. Macduff does not trust Macbeth and suspects that he might have something to do with it.

Macbeth has become the king of Scotland. The witches’ prophecy makes Macbeth believe that he must kill Banquo and his son Fleance, because Banquo’s descendants might become kings of Scotland. Macbeth orders two henchmen to carry out the job. However, Fleance escapes and this makes him very angry and also concerned that the witches’ predictions could become true.

Macbeth has a banquet and sets a place at the table for Banquo, knowing full well that he is dead. However, he sees the gory ghost of Banquo in the seat left for him and he shouts in horror at the ghost. His guests suspect that he has a guilty conscience.

Macbeth decides to pay the witches another visit and the show him the apparitions. The first is a head with armour on (this represents Macbeth’s own severed head, later), the second is a bloody child (who is likely to be Macduff torn from his mother’s womb), and the third is a crowned child with a tree in its hand (this is meant to represent Malcom and Birnam Wood). The first apparition tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the second that he will never be defeated by anyone born of a women, and the third tells Macbeth that he will never be beaten until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

Macduff is sure that Macbeth has murdered Duncan and decides to join Malcolm and Donalbain in England. He raises an army of 10000 Englishmen in order to kill Macbeth and reclaim the throne.

In rage that Macduff has fled the country, Macbeth orders his henchman to kill Macduff’s wife and children. This act disgusts his followers, who start to desert him.

Lady Macbeth has gone mad and talks in her sleep about washing blood from her hand.
A messenger tells the king that the wood is on its way to Dunsinane and Macbeth is worried.

When the army arrives at the castle, Macbeth recklessly attacks and kills many men because he believes that no one can kill him. However, Macduff tells Macbeth that he was not born of a woman, because his mother gave birth to him by cesarean. They start to fight and Macduff kills Macbeth. He takes his head with him, so that it is displayed for everyone to see.

Themes within Macbeth:
- goodness and evil
- loyalty and hypocrisy
- love and deception
- justice and retaliation
- kingship
- corruption
- supernatural
- ambition*
* driving force of Macbeth’s life. It is his ambition that leads the witches to Macbeth, and it is ambition which leads Macbeth to murder, treason, hypocrisy, corruption and deepest evil.
Theatre in the times of Shakespeare

groundlings:
- can’t attend plays very often due to lack of money
- admission cost 1 penny
- close to the stage, just below the actors

actors / play:
- performances took place in day light
- roofed stage
- always sold out theatres

nobility:
- smoked tobacco pipes
- comfortable seats
- good view towards the stage
- shilling rooms

There was no class distinction in theatres, because members of all social classes were allowed to visit the theatres. That means the working, middle and upper class.

Shakespeare and his time
- plague also called “black death”
- sailors sail around the world for the first time
- England defeats the Spanish Armada
- people believed that the sun turned around the earth
- Monarchy (the country is ruled by a king/queen)
- law and order was maintained by the landowners and enforced by their deputies
- the average man had no vote
- women had no rights at all
- England was a Christian country in which every child was baptized
- The church was very important in England at that time
- Absence at divine service was punished by fines
- Bible was only available in Latin, later in English, that is the reason why the Christian religion spread so well in England
- School education reinforced the Church’s teaching
- School started at the age of four
- School cost money, fees had to be paid if you wanted further education
- Only few students proceeded to university (either clever boys or sons of noble man)
- Girls stayed at home and acquired domestic skills such as cooking, sewing or sometimes music, only a few learnt how to read or write
- The language “English” is partly based on Latin resources.
- English is a language rich of synonyms, word-plays such as puns and infinite variety of expressing certain things.

The feudal pyramid
God
King
Vassals
Nobility / clergy
Peasants / servants / women / serfs

Read More

Shakespeare

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
0 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy! This part about Macbeth is especially long and detailed, hope anyone can use it!

Macbeth

Short characterizations:
Macbeth:
- a good vassal
- obedient general
- brutal
- courageous
- brave
- merciless
(changing in the course of the play)

Macbeth’s character changes from the beginning of the play to the end as at first he is presented as a noble, honorable and good vassal.
In the on going story he is a coward at one point and his manhood is questioned by his wife. He is lead by his fears, visions and prophecies.
In the end he has become a brutal, reckless and violent ruler “the tyrant” of Scotland. Both the witches and Lady Macbeth have a heavy influence on him and his personality.
In both cases this influence is negative, as for the witches and their prophecy he becomes narrow-minded and reckless and for his wife he turns into a violent beast.
He is more or less the witches’ toy.

Duncan:
- a good king
- gracious
- generous
- fair
- humane
- respectful

They are equally good men with opposing qualities.

Witches:
- supernatural beings: foresee the future, curse people, cast weather spells, ability to disappear
- human beings: human desire for sleep, exposed to the weather, depended on nutrition, reckless
- visions: invisible, outer appearance seems unreal, bubble-like, melting

Opening scenes in Macbeth:
- introducing the reader to a world of disorder
- the nature which is in uproar is matched by the society at war
- traitors and invaders have upset peace

Contrasts:
The atmosphere:
outside: thunderstorm, foggy
inside: warm

A summary of Macbeth:
King Duncan hears how Macbeth has been a brave warrior whilst fighting the Norwegians. Duncan gives Macbeth the title Thane of Cawdor as reward for his valour.
The old Thane of Cawdor is sentenced to death for being a traitor.
On their way back from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches who tell Macbeth that he will become the new Thane of Cawdor and also the new king of Scotland. The weird sisters tell Banquo that his descendants will be the future kings of Scotland. Macbeth is not sure whether this is true, but he soon told by a messenger that he is now the new Thane of Cawdor. This seems like the first part of the prophecy has come true.

Macbeth sends a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the witches predictions. She is excited about becoming queen, but fears that Macbeth is not ambitious enough to kill Duncan. When Macbeth arrives home she tries to persuade him to kill Duncan.
Macbeth eventually agrees with her.

Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and is greeted by the hosts. They hold a feast and most people get drunk. Macbeth is unsure about killing Duncan and decides to abandon his plan. Macbeth believes that Duncan is a good king and he comments that Duncan has said many good things about him. Lady Macbeth is angry that he has abandoned his plan and calls him a coward. Macbeth decides to go through with the plan to murder the king.

Later that night, whilst approaching Duncan’s room, he sees an imaginary dagger before his eyes. He follows the dagger to Duncan’s room. Macbeth creeps into his king’s room and murders him in cold blood. Lady Macbeth sees the daggers in Macbeth’s hands and rushes back to plant them on the servants.
Macduff arrives at the castle and discovers Duncan’s corpse and raises the alarm. Duncan’s sons, Malcom and Donalbain, quickly leave Scotland, because they might be suspected of killing their father. Macduff does not trust Macbeth and suspects that he might have something to do with it.

Macbeth has become the king of Scotland. The witches’ prophecy makes Macbeth believe that he must kill Banquo and his son Fleance, because Banquo’s descendants might become kings of Scotland. Macbeth orders two henchmen to carry out the job. However, Fleance escapes and this makes him very angry and also concerned that the witches’ predictions could become true.

Macbeth has a banquet and sets a place at the table for Banquo, knowing full well that he is dead. However, he sees the gory ghost of Banquo in the seat left for him and he shouts in horror at the ghost. His guests suspect that he has a guilty conscience.

Macbeth decides to pay the witches another visit and the show him the apparitions. The first is a head with armour on (this represents Macbeth’s own severed head, later), the second is a bloody child (who is likely to be Macduff torn from his mother’s womb), and the third is a crowned child with a tree in its hand (this is meant to represent Malcom and Birnam Wood). The first apparition tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the second that he will never be defeated by anyone born of a women, and the third tells Macbeth that he will never be beaten until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

Macduff is sure that Macbeth has murdered Duncan and decides to join Malcolm and Donalbain in England. He raises an army of 10000 Englishmen in order to kill Macbeth and reclaim the throne.

In rage that Macduff has fled the country, Macbeth orders his henchman to kill Macduff’s wife and children. This act disgusts his followers, who start to desert him.

Lady Macbeth has gone mad and talks in her sleep about washing blood from her hand.
A messenger tells the king that the wood is on its way to Dunsinane and Macbeth is worried.

When the army arrives at the castle, Macbeth recklessly attacks and kills many men because he believes that no one can kill him. However, Macduff tells Macbeth that he was not born of a woman, because his mother gave birth to him by cesarean. They start to fight and Macduff kills Macbeth. He takes his head with him, so that it is displayed for everyone to see.

Themes within Macbeth:
- goodness and evil
- loyalty and hypocrisy
- love and deception
- justice and retaliation
- kingship
- corruption
- supernatural
- ambition*
* driving force of Macbeth’s life. It is his ambition that leads the witches to Macbeth, and it is ambition which leads Macbeth to murder, treason, hypocrisy, corruption and deepest evil.
Theatre in the times of Shakespeare

groundlings:
- can’t attend plays very often due to lack of money
- admission cost 1 penny
- close to the stage, just below the actors

actors / play:
- performances took place in day light
- roofed stage
- always sold out theatres

nobility:
- smoked tobacco pipes
- comfortable seats
- good view towards the stage
- shilling rooms

There was no class distinction in theatres, because members of all social classes were allowed to visit the theatres. That means the working, middle and upper class.

Shakespeare and his time
- plague also called “black death”
- sailors sail around the world for the first time
- England defeats the Spanish Armada
- people believed that the sun turned around the earth
- Monarchy (the country is ruled by a king/queen)
- law and order was maintained by the landowners and enforced by their deputies
- the average man had no vote
- women had no rights at all
- England was a Christian country in which every child was baptized
- The church was very important in England at that time
- Absence at divine service was punished by fines
- Bible was only available in Latin, later in English, that is the reason why the Christian religion spread so well in England
- School education reinforced the Church’s teaching
- School started at the age of four
- School cost money, fees had to be paid if you wanted further education
- Only few students proceeded to university (either clever boys or sons of noble man)
- Girls stayed at home and acquired domestic skills such as cooking, sewing or sometimes music, only a few learnt how to read or write
- The language “English” is partly based on Latin resources.
- English is a language rich of synonyms, word-plays such as puns and infinite variety of expressing certain things.

The feudal pyramid
God
King
Vassals
Nobility / clergy
Peasants / servants / women / serfs

Read More

Letter to the editor

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
1 comment

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

How to make a letter more vivid and appealing:
- Rhetorical questions – “Is this the people we want?”
- Using personal pronouns – “…our kids…”
- Appeal to the readership – “Don’t say you…”

A letter to the local city council concerning the planned construction of an international airport

Attention: department of construction

I am writing to you because of the planned construction of the international airport in the New Jean area.
Hence I am living in this region which is very close to construction site I ask you to rethink the airport’s placement on the basis of the following reasons:
There are various residential zones with a high density of housing;
in two out of eleven regions live a fairly ample amount of young families with little kids and babies.
All those residents won’t be too happy and delighted to receive constant acoustic irradiation caused by the arriving and departing airplanes, as well as the vehicles moving to the airport.
I personally will not accept this harassment.
I won’t let my life be disturbed by every York-Jean flight.
Furthermore keep in mind that the Jean area encloses 9 districts where about 2300000 people live. If necessary I will not hesitate to raise signatures for a complete interdiction-petition.
Speaking of petitions- the environmentalists won’t be too happy about the idea of having this intact and untouched piece of nature destroyed.
I doubt that pro-naturalists and those residents who frequently visit the Jean National Park will support the construction of the airport.
I would appreciate if you took this letter into consideration.
Sincerely yours,
jez

A retarding element causes tension.

Read More

Letter to the editor

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
1 comment

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

How to make a letter more vivid and appealing:
- Rhetorical questions – “Is this the people we want?”
- Using personal pronouns – “…our kids…”
- Appeal to the readership – “Don’t say you…”

A letter to the local city council concerning the planned construction of an international airport

Attention: department of construction

I am writing to you because of the planned construction of the international airport in the New Jean area.
Hence I am living in this region which is very close to construction site I ask you to rethink the airport’s placement on the basis of the following reasons:
There are various residential zones with a high density of housing;
in two out of eleven regions live a fairly ample amount of young families with little kids and babies.
All those residents won’t be too happy and delighted to receive constant acoustic irradiation caused by the arriving and departing airplanes, as well as the vehicles moving to the airport.
I personally will not accept this harassment.
I won’t let my life be disturbed by every York-Jean flight.
Furthermore keep in mind that the Jean area encloses 9 districts where about 2300000 people live. If necessary I will not hesitate to raise signatures for a complete interdiction-petition.
Speaking of petitions- the environmentalists won’t be too happy about the idea of having this intact and untouched piece of nature destroyed.
I doubt that pro-naturalists and those residents who frequently visit the Jean National Park will support the construction of the airport.
I would appreciate if you took this letter into consideration.
Sincerely yours,
jez

A retarding element causes tension.

Read More

American Dream

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
2 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

Will We See the Real War?, J.Alter
-No. (explained below)

Rules for the press, Pentagon

- The Pentagon’s draft rules allow the press to interview or photograph wounded soldiers only in the presence of a military escort and with the consent or patient, doctor and commander.
The visual and audio recordings of personal in agony or sever shock are not authorized.
Imagery of patients suffering from severe disfigurement or undergoing plastic-surgery treatments are not authorized.
Interviews with or visual imagery of patients undergoing psychiatric treatment are not authorized.

Embedded correspondents
- Frontline reporting
- real and direct reporting
- bring truth to the local citizens as well as the people far away
= major progressive development

- but: part of a military unit and takes on the soldiers’ views
- government controls them (“propaganda”)
- distorted view of reality
- personal danger
- US-ARMY has the possibility of manipulating the reports

Reality is different from what is written in the newspapers.
Reality is clouded by fog of war.
A fog that governments create in order to camouflage the reality.
Information is censored for the purpose of not damaging the military’s reputation.
Information is released to justify the war and to maintain a certain narrow-minded picture of the war. (one sided, biased reporting)
Human Interest Stories are released to manipulate people and to draw attention.
HIS are heroic stories that describe the fate of a single person.
A legend remains regardless whether the story is true or not.

The function of the press
- Information (truthful account of events)

Code of Ethnics (moral principle) for American Journalists
= Responsibility of information having to reach the public
- Freedom of the press
- Independence (independent from governments)
- Sincerity, Accuracy (Aufrichtigkeit/Richtigkeit)
- Impartiality (Objectivität)

Total information awareness (erkenntnis) motel
- Pentagon – embedded media
= both in one bed == connected = P. controlling the e.m.

Reshaping the American Dream, Griffith
traditional form:
- “liberty and justice for all”
- “land of promise”
- “pursuit of happiness”
-> Declaration of Independence
Everybody shall be able to develop to the fullest stature.

present form:
- “more than incomes and titles”
- material wealth and social position are basic personal goals
- the idea of progress for future generation
- but also: crime rates increased, state of affluence is accompanied by losses of individuality
- idea of social and moral advancement (not achieved: crime rates)

future form:
- A.D. is still a basic ingredient
- but: Americans have lost confidence in their future
- limitation of resources -> planning != dream
- new challenges for the future
- the American Dream has a new shape

Michael Moore, The Big One
This documentary deals with the subjects social security cuts, its consequence, unemployment caused by companies and the widening gap between rich and poor.
Moore uses irony, the means of direct confrontation, provocation, humour, sarcasm, exaggerations and news reports to draw attention to his issues.
It is good to see that people like Michael Moore stand up to large companies and confront them with what the vast majority thinks.

Adams
- A.D. = lure, promise of America
- no clear definition
- land of opportunity
- richer fuller life
- pursuit of happiness
- success
- not a dream of material plenty (cars and high wages)
- equality (equal treatment regardless of the circumstances of birth/position)
- freedom (of choice)
- in order to make the dream come true, people have to build together (better), and not bigger (keeping up with the Joneses)
- communal spirit must be higher
- intellectual life must be higher
- top society members are to become more dedicated to society and share their intellectual wealth

Independence Day – 4th of July – Declaration of Independence was passed
Stars and Stripes – white = purity, red = endurance, blue = justice
Melting Pot – metaphor describing America. Individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men.
New Canaan – reference to Canaan, the land Moses led his people, New Canaan = America, “The Promised Land”
Frontier – line of settlement (westward)
Individualism – central concept in the way Americans see themselves and are viewed by others. Responsibility for one’s fate shaped the American culture.
Manifest Destiny – America’s mission to democratize the world. USA = “nation of the future”. Used the M.D. to justify the territorial expansion. The role of the US as global mediator in political conflicts grew out of this idea.

Reasons for the immigration:
- Industrial revolution
- Gold rush
- Building of railroads
- persecution of Jews

Later on, limited immigration due to laws. Set quotas, changed immigration system. Illegal immigration of Mexicans and Latin Americans.

Franklin
Ladder of success:
- Industry = Fleiss
- perseverance = Ausdauer
- courage = Mut
- economy = Sparsarmkeit
- integrity = Anpassungsfähigkeit
- prudence = Klugheit
- temperance = Gelassenheit

Elliott
The American Dream:
- Democracy and freedom
- Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream”
- Equality (no racial/political differences)
- Success
- Progress
- The frontier (line of settlement)
- Individualism
- Capitalism
- Peace
- Pride
- Happiness
- Wealth
- Unlimited possibilities
- The founding fathers (Franklin, Jefferson, Washington)
- Everyone has a different “American Dream”

Read More

American Dream

By: jez
18-04-2007
english lk, oberstufe
2 comments

The following article is part of a series called “German A-Levels/Abitur 2005 English”. In Germany you have your a-levels after the 13rd year in school. Pupils are usually between 17 and 18 years when they have their exams. In the compulsory schools you a broad variety of courses: From German, English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Greek to Science, Maths, Geographics, Physics, Literature, Arts and Sports etc. I prepared myself in 2005 for my a-levels by writing everything down. May these articles help anyone. Enjoy!

Will We See the Real War?, J.Alter
-No. (explained below)

Rules for the press, Pentagon

- The Pentagon’s draft rules allow the press to interview or photograph wounded soldiers only in the presence of a military escort and with the consent or patient, doctor and commander.
The visual and audio recordings of personal in agony or sever shock are not authorized.
Imagery of patients suffering from severe disfigurement or undergoing plastic-surgery treatments are not authorized.
Interviews with or visual imagery of patients undergoing psychiatric treatment are not authorized.

Embedded correspondents
- Frontline reporting
- real and direct reporting
- bring truth to the local citizens as well as the people far away
= major progressive development

- but: part of a military unit and takes on the soldiers’ views
- government controls them (“propaganda”)
- distorted view of reality
- personal danger
- US-ARMY has the possibility of manipulating the reports

Reality is different from what is written in the newspapers.
Reality is clouded by fog of war.
A fog that governments create in order to camouflage the reality.
Information is censored for the purpose of not damaging the military’s reputation.
Information is released to justify the war and to maintain a certain narrow-minded picture of the war. (one sided, biased reporting)
Human Interest Stories are released to manipulate people and to draw attention.
HIS are heroic stories that describe the fate of a single person.
A legend remains regardless whether the story is true or not.

The function of the press
- Information (truthful account of events)

Code of Ethnics (moral principle) for American Journalists
= Responsibility of information having to reach the public
- Freedom of the press
- Independence (independent from governments)
- Sincerity, Accuracy (Aufrichtigkeit/Richtigkeit)
- Impartiality (Objectivität)

Total information awareness (erkenntnis) motel
- Pentagon – embedded media
= both in one bed == connected = P. controlling the e.m.

Reshaping the American Dream, Griffith
traditional form:
- “liberty and justice for all”
- “land of promise”
- “pursuit of happiness”
-> Declaration of Independence
Everybody shall be able to develop to the fullest stature.

present form:
- “more than incomes and titles”
- material wealth and social position are basic personal goals
- the idea of progress for future generation
- but also: crime rates increased, state of affluence is accompanied by losses of individuality
- idea of social and moral advancement (not achieved: crime rates)

future form:
- A.D. is still a basic ingredient
- but: Americans have lost confidence in their future
- limitation of resources -> planning != dream
- new challenges for the future
- the American Dream has a new shape

Michael Moore, The Big One
This documentary deals with the subjects social security cuts, its consequence, unemployment caused by companies and the widening gap between rich and poor.
Moore uses irony, the means of direct confrontation, provocation, humour, sarcasm, exaggerations and news reports to draw attention to his issues.
It is good to see that people like Michael Moore stand up to large companies and confront them with what the vast majority thinks.

Adams
- A.D. = lure, promise of America
- no clear definition
- land of opportunity
- richer fuller life
- pursuit of happiness
- success
- not a dream of material plenty (cars and high wages)
- equality (equal treatment regardless of the circumstances of birth/position)
- freedom (of choice)
- in order to make the dream come true, people have to build together (better), and not bigger (keeping up with the Joneses)
- communal spirit must be higher
- intellectual life must be higher
- top society members are to become more dedicated to society and share their intellectual wealth

Independence Day – 4th of July – Declaration of Independence was passed
Stars and Stripes – white = purity, red = endurance, blue = justice
Melting Pot – metaphor describing America. Individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men.
New Canaan – reference to Canaan, the land Moses led his people, New Canaan = America, “The Promised Land”
Frontier – line of settlement (westward)
Individualism – central concept in the way Americans see themselves and are viewed by others. Responsibility for one’s fate shaped the American culture.
Manifest Destiny – America’s mission to democratize the world. USA = “nation of the future”. Used the M.D. to justify the territorial expansion. The role of the US as global mediator in political conflicts grew out of this idea.

Reasons for the immigration:
- Industrial revolution
- Gold rush
- Building of railroads
- persecution of Jews

Later on, limited immigration due to laws. Set quotas, changed immigration system. Illegal immigration of Mexicans and Latin Americans.

Franklin
Ladder of success:
- Industry = Fleiss
- perseverance = Ausdauer
- courage = Mut
- economy = Sparsarmkeit
- integrity = Anpassungsfähigkeit
- prudence = Klugheit
- temperance = Gelassenheit

Elliott
The American Dream:
- Democracy and freedom
- Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream”
- Equality (no racial/political differences)
- Success
- Progress
- The frontier (line of settlement)
- Individualism
- Capitalism
- Peace
- Pride
- Happiness
- Wealth
- Unlimited possibilities
- The founding fathers (Franklin, Jefferson, Washington)
- Everyone has a different “American Dream”

Read More

From the newsstand

After a recent breach in first layer security I wiped the domain to be safe and restored to a clean working copy. It will take some weeks to seed out the nasty bits and pieces that lead to this situation. Please bare with this not too bad 'default' theme in the meantime (I am on holiday till Mid July). Best, jz.

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