The Global Business Environment Meeting Challenges Essay

The Global Business Environment Meeting Challenges - Essay Example The company presently has a central savoury production unit and an armada of 375 delivery vehicles present throughout the day for ensuring the punctual delivery of the fresh food to the customers. The company also is the leading employer of approximately around 20,000 people and has a future dynamic plan of installing 500 new shops in the near future and generating 6,000 new jobs. The regional bakeries prepare baked food for the daily delivery shops with expert advices and under strict supervision from the skilled bakers from 90 in- store bakeries responsible for the provision of ultimate fresh baked food (Company Overview, n.d.). Growth potential-present scenario The analysts have established the facts with their sophisticated statistical forecasting tools and inferred that around 50% of the population of UK currently is devoid of access to Greggs shops. Thus they state that there is a boosting potential for the establishment of an additional 600 shops in the United Kingdom in the n ext few years (Growing Greggs, n.d.). Fig. 1. Dynamic Growth Potential (Growing Greggs, n.d.) The above diagram depicts the positive and rising growth potential forecasted by the analyst. Focus of the paper The paper emphasizes on the analysis of several factors affecting the financial health of the company initially with the macroeconomic environment analysis with respect to the famous PESTEL analysis and subsequently the microeconomic variables including customers, competitors and collaboration. Having a transparent insight about the factors affecting the company the focus will be shifted on the SWOT analysis in order to analyze the strengths, weaknesses opportunities and threats the company faces with an endeavor to formulate optimal strategies to ensure the forecasted escalating growth potential and reaping huge revenue generation along with the spreading of the reputation of the company to an all new dimension. A short insight on the financial health and performance of the comp any Before entering into the detailed analysis a short glimpse of the financial operations of the company needs to be mentioned. The year 2011 was indeed a challenging year for the company with respect to the economy and the consumers. The performance of the company was noteworthy in 2011 and has maintained the pace of progress towards the attainment of the strategic objectives with the record number of openings of shops across UK as well as investment in two major bakeries in Newcastle and Cumbria. A five period analysis (2006-2010) of the company’s financial health with respect to the key performance indicators (although trhere are many four of them are discussed) can be seen from the graphical analysis provided as below: A) Like-for-like sales growth Fig.2 The Like-for-like Sales growth figure (Annual Report & accounts, 2010, p. 18) The variable Like-for-like sales growth performs the comparison of year on year cash sales in the core shops of the company and is not distort ed by the opening or the closure of the shops. The refitted shops are included in the like-for-like comparison unless there have been significant changes in the trading space. The growth of the Like-for-like sales also incorporates the selling price inflation. Year 2009 was a 53 week year affecting the total sales growth for that year and also

Blood diamonds, how they originated and what's been done to clamp down Essay

Blood diamonds, how they originated and what's been done to clamp down on the industry - Essay Example However, militant groups gain access to diamonds fields in order to get access to money. The main reason that Diamonds have been able to fund civil wars is not just because they are present in conflict regions but also because diamonds are a concentrated form of wealth. Moreover they are fungible and are dealt by smugglers and arms dealers. Diamond trade is considered to be a very shady business considering that this business has financed and ‘funded wars, massive death, and refugee crisis in Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Cote d’Ivoire’ (Bieri, 1). Diamond mines are often accompanied with some militant groups who want to control the diamonds mines in order to fulfill their own agendas. Many civil wars have been fought where the only source of funding for the militant groups were diamonds that were traded legally in the diamond market. The money received from these deals was then used to buy weapons to further fund civil wars. Even to this date, trade of blood diamonds continues as militant groups have been replaced by terrorist organizations such as the Al-Qaeda. Reports on blood diamonds and Al-Qaeda have revealed that Al-Qaeda has been funded to some extent by blood diamonds (Campbell, 213). Blood Diamonds have been the cause of many crimes against humanity. Militant groups that deal with blood diamonds require the services of the local people to mine these diamonds. The local people are forced to work pathetically in diamond mines just out of fear of these militant groups. In order to instill fear among the masses, a militant group by the name of RUF, amputated lips, ears, legs, breasts, and tongues of the local people. The trade of blood diamonds has also been the cause of 4 million deaths. In the 1990s, before relevant steps were taken to curb the problem, conflict diamond trade amounted to be between 3.7-20 percent of the total global diamond trade (Bieri, 1). All these diamonds were

Education - Teacher Essay Example for Free

Education Teacher Essay Discussion of aim of education is a function of the philosophy of education or educational theory. The aim of education in the fullest and deepest sense of the word is in keeping with the nature of the human personality or human nature. Human nature is defined in terms of the cultivation and development of perceptive intelligence based on experience i. e. creative intelligence. Creative intelligence or intuition combines reason of understanding with wisdom of compassion depends on human awakening or enlightenment. aim of education is to cultivate creative intelligence required for adaptation to changes in the social environment i. e. adaptability. Life is very complex and complicated. But an aim in life can make the complex life simple and purposeful. Aims give us direction to work and without aim, destination, or objective life becomes incomplete and haphazard. Individual has different interests, attitudes and needs. Every individual wants to achieve certain goals in life. But a clear-cut aim makes the road of life easy. Educational aims are varied. They have their different role in different fields. Some specific aims are listed below: (i) Knowledge Aim: The aim of education is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It helps to adjust properly in one’s own environment. Knowledge helps the man to overcome the nature and satisfy human wants. It links the teacher and taught with social situation. It helps with certain skills to live in a society as human being and civilized one. Philosophers and educationists of the world believe in knowledge. It is the valuable asset of life, which helps the individual to overcome misery and problems of life. (ii) Vocational Aim: Knowledge aim of education is narrow by nature. The theoretical knowledge will never meet our basic needs of life. We need bread and butter to fill up our belly. We can get it if education is vocationalised. Gandhiji realized it in 1937 when he introduced Basic Education. Vocational aim develops the social efficiency of the individual. It reduces mental tension after completion of education. Those who are lower, intelligence in vocational education or training are a blessing for them. Realizing this aspect. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) introduces work-experience in the curriculum. (iii) Character Building Aim: The Indian concept of education believes in self-realization. Self-realization is possible through moral education. So the individual should cultivate moral virtues or values which constitute character. Swami Vivekananda said, â€Å"We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. † (iv) Complete-Living Aim: The individual has various aspects to be developed. Every aspect of the personality is reflected in various activities to be performed. Education should help the individual to fulfill the various needs and necessities of life like self-preservation, fulfilling necessities of life, rearing and bearing of children, performing civic responsibilities and utilizing his leisure time properly. Firstly, the individual must know the art of self-preservation. Secondly, education should enable to him to earn his living. Thirdly, he should know how to take care of his own children. Lastly, he must have the idea how to utilize the leisure hours properly in a profiting manner. (v) Harmonious: Development of the personality aim- Gandhiji said, â€Å"By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man-body, mind and spirit. † The meaning itself indicates to develop all-round aspects of individual-physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. All these aspects of the individual should be harmoniously developed. True education is development of 3H’s instead of 3R’s. The development of Head, Heart and hand of an individual makes him happy. (vi) Democratic Aim of Education: One of the important aims and objective of education suggested by Secondary Education Commission (1952-54) is to develop the democratic citizenship. India is a democratic country. Even citizen must have to realize the duties and responsibilities carefully. So the aim of education is to train carefully the future citizens. Training should be provided to develop the following qualities of the individual. (i) Capacity for clear thinking (ii) Receptivity of new idea (iii) Clarity in speech and writing (iv) True patriotism Further the democratic aim of education develop vocational efficiency, personality and leadership quality. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) under the chairmanship of Dr. D. S. Kothari suggested the following as the aims of education in a democratic set-up. (i) Increasing productivity (ii) Developing social and national integrity (iii) Making education modernized and (iv) Cultivating of social, moral and spiritual values. Each individual teacher has an opinion about what the aim of education should be, not only in their own classroom but also in school in general. Many issues occur when differing opinions about the purpose of education collide. It is important to recognize that other people, including many of your coworkers, administrators, and your students parents might have a different point of view concerning what education should be all about. Following is a list of different aims of education that individuals might espouse. 1. Knowledge to Get By. This old school belief holds that school is important in providing students with the knowledge they need to get by in their day-to-day lives. They need to know how to read, write, and do arithmetic. Even though these core topics form the foundation of a students education, most educators today would probably not agree that this should be the extent of a students school career. 2. Knowledge of Subject Matter Being Taught The purpose of education to some teachers is to impart knowledge about the subject matter they are teaching without much thought to other classes. When taken to the extreme, these teachers focus on their own subject matter as being more important than what students are learning in other classes. For example, teachers who are unwilling to compromise their own subject matter for the good of the students can cause problems for the school at large. When the school I taught at tried to implement senior projects, we got push back from a couple of teachers who were not willing to change their lessons to include cross curricular activities. 3. Desire to Create Thoughtful Citizens. This might be considered another old school belief. However, this is held by many individuals, especially within the larger community. Students will some day be a part of a community and need the skills and mores to exist within that society as thoughtful citizens. For example, they will need to be able to vote in presidential elections. 4. To Gain Self Esteem and Confidence While the self esteem movement often gets ridiculed, we do want our students to feel confident about their learning abilities. The problem comes in with inflated self esteem not based on reality. However, this is often cited as an aim of the educational system. 5. To Learn How to Learn Learning how to learn is one of the key elements of education. Schools need to teach students how to find information they will need once they leave school. Therefore, the specific subject matter being taught is not as important for future personal success as is the ability for students to understand how to find answers for any questions and problems that might arise. 6. Lifelong Habits for Work. Many of the lessons that schools teach are necessary for success in their students future lives. As adults, they will need to be able to get to work on time, dress and behave appropriately, and get their work done in a timely manner. These lessons are reinforced on a daily basis in schools around the nation. Some individuals see this as one of the main reasons for sending students to school. 7. To Teach Students How to Live Finally, some individuals look at school in a more holistic manner. They see it as the means towards right living for the rest of their lives. Not only do students learn information in their individual subjects, but they also learn life lessons in and out of class. As previously explained, proper work etiquette is reinforced in the classroom. Further, students have to learn how to deal with others in a cooperative manner. Finally, they learn about how to learn information they might need in the future. In fact, one of the things that many business leaders cite as being necessary for future workers is the ability to work as part of a team and problem solve.

New Deal America :: American America History

New Deal America The stock market crash of 1929 helped launch the United States and many other nations into the worst economic depression in history. The severity of the Great Depression called for federal government programs to protect the general welfare of citizens. The New Deal programs created by Franklin D. Roosevelt provided the framework for the welfare state that still serves as a basis for American public policy. All aspects of American society suffered during the Great Depression. By 1932, there were thirteen million people unemployed. There was no security for the millions who lost all of their savings in the bank failure or stock market crash. Volunteer organizations attempted to help the needy, but their resources were simply not adequate (Madaras and SoRelle 218). Hope seemed non-existent. Americans had never seen such a severe depression. They could not look to history for guidance. The New Deal was Roosevelt's attempt to restore the economy. His willingness to act decisively and experiment with new policies set him apart from previous presidents. He often said, "I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average"(Tindall and Shi 1238). In the first years of Roosevelt's term he worked hard to empower the federal branch. The New Deal set the precedent for 20th century liberalism. The first order of business for the Roosevelt administration was financial reform. Banking is a crucial aspect of capitalism and Roosevelt was very aware of this fact. On his second day in office, Roosevelt called Congress to meet in a special session. The outcome was the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which permitted stable banks to reopen and provided managers to those who remained in trouble. The Glass-Steagall Act separated commercial and investment banking and created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. These actions all helped restore banking confidence within American people. Roosevelt ensured that it was safer to "keep your money in a reopened bank than under the mattress"(Tindall and Shi 1238). After accomplishing this task, the new administration was ready to solve other problems. Other financial programs included the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), and the Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA). The SEC functioned in regulating the stock and bond markets. The NIRA and AAA were aimed at recovery through regulation. The NIRA played a big role in restoring faith and confidence in the system and helped to increase demand and wages, but realistically it was impractical; it abandoned the American market system.

Community teaching work plan proposal Essay

Lorenz et al. (2005) define end- of –life as a chronologically indefinite part of life when patients and their caregivers are struggling with the implications of an advance chronic illness. Every person’s end- of – life trajectory is different and the need for quality healthcare services, hospital or homecare interventions, family and patient legal rights, government policies and regulations pose some challenges to some patients at the end of their life. Therefore, the provision of good end- of- life care should be driven mainly by the concern to enhance life at end- of – life. The important issues for policy makers and healthcare services planners and providers are to find a lasting solution that required client’s autonomy in decision making, excellent healthcare management, love and family support throughout the end- of-life period. Moreover, the healthcare industries should understand that the altitude toward the process of dying is a reflection of the social values the society placed on how its members are supported and cared for at the end-of their lives by nurses, caregivers, social worker, and counselor’s and doctors. Furthermore, the reason majority of our elderly people die outside their own home are due to the nature of the illness and the varying stages and changing needs of the patients, which required certain hospital setting or services that most home caregivers or family members are not trained for or capable to handle. Even with the emergent of palliative care programs and hospice programs, the majority of elderly people do not die in their home because of their preference to seek better care outside the home in order prolong their lives. Although, family members, friends, partners and neighbors commonly assist with the care of older relatives, but when the patient become chronically ill or disable and not responding to treatment, the better option is to transfer the patient to the hospital or home care placement. Before making these decisions most families or caregivers factors in other problems such as patients lack of financial support, patient condition becoming burdensome to the care givers both financially and times spent in taking care of the patient. Furthermore, family members knowing that the patient is at the point of dying at any moment, the best option would be to place the patient in the hospital or homecare setting where the illness would be managed with special care and less painful services and with dignity before they die. As a nurse, I would consider first the well- being  of my patient, treat all my patients with compassion and respect, respect patient’s right and confidentiality, maintain accurate patient clinical records and refrain from denying treatment to patients. On the issue of deciding how I would help my clients at the end –of- life care stage, would be based on the guidelines of the official positions taken by the American Medical Association on end- of- life- actions. AMA’s Code of medical Ethics ( AMA,2012-2013) which provides health care physicians with a guidelines on how to deal with issues regarding end- of- life, likewise the nurses ANA;s Code of Ethics (2001) also have a guide line on what is expected from nurses when confronted with end of life issues. However, these actions should be based on clients wishes, such as Do- Not- Resuscitate Orders, Futile Care process, Quality of Life, Withholding or withdrawing life – sustaining medical treatment, Optimal Use of Order- not to intervene and Advance Directives in clients living will, health care treatment plan, health care power of attorney and do not resuscitate at home. Furthermore, we all know that some people are contented to leave decisions regarding their death in the hands of the others. By doing so, they expose themselves to the unnecessary treatments and restrictions. Family members are often forced to make decisions about life- support and treatment without knowing whether their loved one would have wanted these interventions. I would help the patient and the family plan and make the appropriate ethnical choices in accordance with the Hospice and palliative Nursing Association directives. Also, knowing the end – of –life often involves risks and ethical dilemmas such as in withdrawal of life- sustaining treatment like dialysis or feeding tube and the large need of doses of opioids, I would address the patients need based on ANA guidelines, which stated in the case of administering opioids on end-of- life patient, nurses must use effective doses of medications prescribed for symptom control and nurses have a moral obligation to advocate on behalf of the patient when prescribed medication is insufficiently managing pain and other distressing symptom. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) 2011 CQG series between elderly patients under the palliative care and family evaluation of Hospice care patients who have died, shows the extensive evidence and numerous interventions available for patients in palliative care, such as  applying many types of medications and other interventions to treat pain are supported by strong evidence of reductions in pain severity and helps to prolong patients life. On the other hand, patients who are in Hospice care before death has a lot of complaint from the family members and noted that 18.2 percent of the family members stated inattention to the needs of their love ones and support from hospital among hospices varies from 12.6% to 21.4%, and 9 percent of family members reported that their need for emotional support was not met. References AMA’S Code of Medical Ethics-American Medical Association. www.ama-assn.org/go/codeofmedicalethics. Code of Nurses Ethics for Nurses-American Nurses Association. www.nursingworld.org/codeofethics.

The Debate of Proposition 8

Should sexual preference determine marriages? This is the ongoing debate our generation will have to address. California has been in the epicenters of this debate; as we witnessed voters oppose gay marriage in the elections of 2008. The success of Proposition 8 discriminated against those of homosexual orientation. Proposition 8 adjusted California’s marriage laws to prevent a change in language, favoring the majority of heterosexual America. As California’s constitution in article 1, section 7. reads, â€Å"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California† (California Marriage Protection Act). This perception of marriage adopted to be law is built upon gender identity ideals that men and women have to fulfill. Women are to marry that of the opposite gender and sex. Accordingly, the language used to describe marriage was contorted by gender ideals in the fight for Proposition 8. Those for Proposition 8 argued it would restore the defin ition of marriage. From this perspective, marriage is seen as a tradition that is natural and immutable. To the contrary, the argument against Proposition 8 states, â€Å"OUR CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION—the law of our land—SHOULD GUARANTEE THE SAME FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO EVERYONE—NO ONE group SHOULD be singled out to BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY† (Official California Legislative Information). Marriage is a right that cannot be exercised by all due to sexual preference. Gay and lesbians are discriminated based on societies resistance to amend the definition of marriage past sexual preference. Additionally, the language used to describe marriage and the roles of individuals, is a major outlining factor behind the issue itself. Analyzing the language used in both arguments allows us to delve further into this question and expose why Proposition 8 should have been abolished. Proposition 8 is simply a resistance to change in language in how we come to define marriage. â€Å"Typically, language changes as a result of social political and economic processes such as lifestyle changes, new experiences, counters with technologies and communication media, colonization, or migration† (Litosseliti 19). Although political action may try to slow down this historical ongoing change in language, just as the world changes, so will the language. Marriage will eventually cease to be defined by the standards of sexual preference. In such, the argument against Proposition 8 holds more validity than those in favor of it. Those opposed to Proposition 8 rely on California’s constitution promise for equal rights and freedom to every person, gays included. This allowed those opposed to use powerful words associated with civil rights such as, equality, dignity, freedom, and respect. These are portrayed to the audience from a gay language lending more of feminine like characteristics of care, nurture, and support. This gay language serves a purpose in relaying the message to oppose Proposition 8. As scholar Don Kulick believes, â€Å"†¦homosexual slang serves communicative functions, the most important of which is to ‘reinforce group cohesiveness and reflect common interests, problems, and needs of the population’ (Sonenschein 1969:289)† (Kulick 250). They used the gay slang as to draw attention from all gay and lesbians to feel connected. They refer to themselves as the â€Å"gay community†. This self maintained identity allows them to reach out to all gays and lesbians. For instance, there is a great example in YouTube, where the protest against Proposition 8 continues. In their advertisement they are promoting the Eve of Justice March for gay rights. In the video words displayed are â€Å"if you believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  followed by the alternating words such as life, happiness, kindness, beauty, compassion, and love. These words of sentiment and support are a prime example of the gay language inducing activism throughout the gay community. â€Å"In constructing particular subject positions for the readers or viewers, advertisements play a role in constituting identities† (Litosseliti 108). The gay language so to speak allows them to create a desired identity for the gay community, which allows them to mobilize themselves within their civil rights movement. Additionally, the gay community has maintained a similar identity to heterosexual relationships on what role individuals play in a marriage. They believe in the similar manner as to what is expected out of a relationship. For instance in the official voters guide an example of daily interaction between spouses is descript as if to show they are not much different than a heterosexual marriage. The guide postulates, â€Å"When you’re married and your spouse is sick or hurt, there is no confusion: you get into the ambulance or hospital room with no questions asked. IN EVERYDAY LIFE, AND ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH† (Official California Legislative Information). The gay community displays the similarity of marriage interaction in daily life is the same as any other marriage would be. Marriage roles are portrayed to be similar, and the situation presented above uses words such as, hurt and sick. This invokes the audience to relate to the situation presented of care and nurture for one’s spouse. Although, there are some differences in the expected roles in a marriage, for only a single gender identity is shared between the spouses. For instance, in the role of a wedding usually both partners wear the traditional clothing used for their sex. Lesbians dress in wedding dress attire as the gay men wear the traditional suit. This infers that in a gay marriage their roles are different than that of traditional couples. It objectifies the image of two masculine or feminine figures in a relationship, demonstrating marriage is about love, and not fulfilling prescribed gender roles. The symbolic meaning of commitment is also displayed through the exchange of wedding bands. The gay community’s ideals on marriage are centered more around love than sexuality. Gays use this traditional wedding practice as a way to explicate the language of love, and equality in marriage. To the contrary, those in favor of Proposition 8 argue the need to restore the definition of marriage for the sake of protecting the children. They argue that marriage itself is traditional and the meaning needs to be reallocated for sexual preference. The argument is made that domestic partnerships give all the same rights as a marriage just the title is different. Further, the language used to describe gay marriage is severely negative. Gay marriages are described as â€Å"same-sex marriages† for the sole purpose of pointing out the sexuality of the marriage. We can distinguish this in the arguments presented that our children are to be protected from. The voter’s guide reads â€Å"It protects our children from being taught in public schools that ‘same-sex marriage’ is the same as traditional marriage† (Official California Legislative Information). The argument uses strong words such as protect and traditional as if gay marriage were a threat to our society. Those in favor of Proposition 8 question why they should have to deal with gay marriages when raising children. As I recall there was an advertisement on television during election warning people about societal issues our children will have to deal with. The commercial demonstrated a hild’s confusion as to why she had 2 daddies, yet mommies were the ones who made the babies. The child’s confusion of marriage sexual identities promotes gay marriage as a social issue in raising kids. Those in favor of Proposition 8 claim that gays are putting their adult desires first before the children. Derogatory terms are used in protests against those who oppose Proposition 8. In rallies across California supporting Proposition 8, such as the one on the left, implement the feeling of hate. The term fag implies a negative connotation upon the being homosexual. Additionally, the word depraved implies that the gay lifestyle is a social burden to America. Those who support the banning of gay marriage perceive this as a social problem of a minority group trying to change social culture. Gays should live private lives and not bring their lifestyle to the public arena and force society to change. Moreover, the argument against Proposition 8 holds a much stronger stand against those who support it. First, we must understand that language in society will always change and adapt to the needs of society. Marriage just as many other words will be redefined as society expands out of the two traditional gender roles. The gay community needs to be included as the law has to prescribe to everyone equally. As we see in the protest rallies, the movements’ association with civil rights of the blacks helps their argument gain solidarity. A popular slogan across protests was â€Å"Gay is the new Black†. I experienced protestors in Fresno, CA yelling this to supporters of Proposition 8. The correlation of the blacks civil rights display their desires and emphasize discrimination. In addition, supporters claim children will be confused as to sexuality preferences, yet sexuality preferences don’t usually profess themselves until puberty. In this adolescence the children will be able to cognate their own sexual preference. Those in support are simply trying to prevent gays from their prescribed rights. When have we ever heard of a vocabulary word that needed its definition restored? Marriage is defined differently by many societies and who are we to say that a minority group should be exempt from it. As the gay language further manifests itself with civil rights language, it will draw increasing support from the gay community as well as civil rights activists. Works Cited California Marriage Protection Act,  § 7. 5. Kulick, Don. â€Å"Gay and Lesbian Language. † Annual Review of Anthropology 29 (2000): 243-85. Litosseliti, Lia. Gender and Language Theory and Practice. New York: A Hodder Arnold Publication, 2006. Official California Legislative Information. 04 Nov. 2008. California Legislation. 05 Mar. 2009 .

Women in Beowulf Essays

Women in Beowulf Essays Women in Beowulf Essay Women in Beowulf Essay Essay Topic: Beowulf Grendel In nearly every society throughout history, women have never held an extremely important place. The role of a woman seems miniscule compared to that of a man. However, there are some women who abide to the unwritten rules of how to behave, and others who challenge those rules. The contradicting roles of the women in the poem beowulf aim to show the differences between them and how they exist in society. The characters who are mainly introduced into these various roles in the poem consist of Queen Modthryth, Grendel’s Mother, Hrothgar’s wife Wealhtheow, and Queen Hygd; all of whom play roles in the poem that either contradict or relate to each other. In Beowulf, Queen Wealhtheow serves as the ideal example of an appropriate woman. After Beowulf defeated Grendel, the Queen spoke to all of the occupants of Heorot Hall as the hostess of the banquet. Just one small example of Wealhtheow’s cadence and poise comes from her praise to Beowulf for his defeat of Grendel as she says, â€Å"And so, my prince, / I wish you a lifetime’s luck and blessings/ to enjoy this treasure. Treat my sons/ with tender care, be strong and kind. / Here each comrade is true to the other, / loyal to lord, loving in spirit† (lines 1224-1227). This shows the genuine kindness that Hrothgar’s wife exudes. The men react with extreme pleasure to her speaking, giving applause for their Queen, which demonstrates that men in that time period did hold respect for a woman who was tasteful, kind, and most importantly gave praise towards other men. Queen Wealhtheow serves as the picture of grace, poise, kindness, and most importantly as a vast contrast between other women throughout the poem. The next woman to make an appearance in the poem comes in the form of a monster. Grendel’s mother’s stark contrast to the traditional role of the queen shows that a woman who refuses to follow that traditional role becomes an outcast of society. Grendel’s mother first appears at Heorot Hall as everyone sleeps from the overwhelmingly joyful day of Grendel’s defeat. While they’re sleeping, she stages a surprise attack, slaughtering men for revenge. â€Å"Her onslaught was less/ only by as much as an Amazon warrior’s/ strength is less than an armed man’s/ when the hefted sword, its hammered edge/ and gleaming blade slathered in blood,/ razes the sturdy boar-ridge off a helmet† (lines 1282- 1287). The way in which she blindly murders so many men highlights her barbaric nature. She lacks all the grace and poise held by Wealhtheow. Her actions cause others in society to view her as a horrid monster. Grendel’s mother highly contradicts the traditional role of a kind or generous woman as compared to the Queen. Instead she plays the role of a horrendous murderer and burden upon society, challenging the well known role of women. One of the most obvious comparisons between women in Beowulf is that of Queen Hygd and Queen Modthryth. The contrast of the two shows the difference between an acceptable and unacceptable woman. The poem first introduces Queen Hygd as the ideal Queen, stating, â€Å"her mind was thoughtful and manners sure. / Haereth’s daughter behaved generously/ and stinted nothing when she distributed/ bounty to the Geats† (lines 1928- 1931). Throughout Beowulf, women who are thoughtful of men are seen as better members in society. Along with Queen Wealhtheow, Queen Hygd fulfills the role of the proper, submissive woman. The introduction of Hygd acts as a perfect lead into the story of Queen Modthryth. After the poem introduces Queen Hygd, it offers a stark contrast by introducing Queen Modthryth. Her unacceptable behavior was inevitably only able to change because of her marriage to a man. The story of the Queen began by telling how she committed awful murders, and the negativity that came from these crimes. Most people showed this as they thought,† Even a queen/outstanding in beauty must not overstep like that. /A queen should weave peace, not punish the innocent/with loss of life for imagined insults† (lines 1941-1944). The tone at this point in Beowulf holds obvious negativity towards Queen Modthryth. Murder in that society of innocent people was highly looked down upon, especially coming from a woman. However, the tone of the story changes when another tale of Queen Modthryth marrying Offa begins. Because of her marriage, she becomes graceful, devoted to her king, and overall a better woman in society. This stark contrast created between both opposites, Queen Hygd and Queen Modthryth, contributes to the many differences of women throughout the poem. The main four women compared throughout Beowulf are Queen Wealhtheow, Grendel’s Mother, Queen Modthryth, and Queen Hygd. Both Grendel’s mother and Queen Modthryth are examples of horrifying monsters who commit the worst of wrongs. They starkly contrast the peace-bringing and gracious roles of Queen Hygd and Queen Wealhtheow. Both queens represent their kings, King Hygelic and King Hrothgar, with great poise and kindness, the ideal role for a queen. Overall the contrast between the women in Beowulf show how each differs and exists in society.