The Use of Symbolism in Robert Frosts Wind and Window...

The Use of Symbolism in Robert Frosts Wind and Window Flower I interpreted this poem as a very sad one. A love unrequited by the pursued. In the first two lines the poem tells you to forget about the love you share and hear a tale of this. Not to literally forget, but possibly put aside. The man is a winter breeze, cold and rough and sort of roams the land. The woman is a window flower, shut off from the outside. This sets up the separation. They can see each other and are kept apart by a glass wall. She has all the comforts of the outside, the warmth of the sun and even the company of a caged yellow bird (7) hanging above her. It is almost that the mention of this bird being caged above her is a symbol of this†¦show more content†¦The man notices her, he couldnt help but notice her. Who knows how many windows he has breezed by with flowers in them and kept on moving. For some reason, probably due to the beauty of this particular flower, he had to return to see her. The man knew nothing of love. He was concerned with ice and snow, dead weeds and unmated birds, and little of love could know (14-16). This gives an example of what the breeze was experienced to in his life. We then see the winds attempt to win her, But he sighed upon the sill, He gave the sash a shake (17-18). This was not a direct approach. The sash may have been the testing of the water to see where he stood by questioning her peers. This was done in full view of her though. He was not very subtle about it either. The people close to the woman knew very well what was occurring, As witness all within, Who lay that night awake (19-20). These were people in the house that were following this courting, laying awake that night was watching and listening. With the next two lines, Perchance he half prevailed, To win her for the flight (21-22), we see that he almost persuaded her. She had to choose between him and the firelit looking glass and warm stove-window light (23-24). She was comfortable with what she had. She had warmth and caring where she was and these were things she felt he was unable to offer her. In the last part of the poem we see what herShow MoreRelatedRobert Frost : A New England Poet3698 Words   |  15 PagesRobert Lee Frost Known for being a New England poet Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California on March 26th, 1874. Born to a New England father William Prescott Frost Jr. and a Scottish mother Isabelle Moodie who moved to the west coast from Pennsylvania after marriage (Bailey). Both his parents were teachers and poets themselves, but his father later became a journalist with the San Francisco Evening Bulletin (Bailey). Frost spent 12 years of his life growing up in San Francisco, untilRead MorePoetic Devices and Poems3332 Words   |  14 Pagesfrom Anglo-Saxon (Old English) tend to be monosyllabic, simple, and familiar; words that are Latinate in origin are often polysyllabic, formal, general and abstract, and they produce a different effect. Jargon is a derogatory term for the needless use of technical terms. Example- Wherever You Are, Be Somewhere Else by Denise Riley: â€Å"In a look until dropped like an egg on the floor let slop, crashed to slide and run, yolk yellow for the live, t he dead who worked through me.† Hyperbole: a figure

Objectivity in Journalism Essay Example For Students

Objectivity in Journalism Essay Merriam Webster defines objectivity as expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations. Objectivity, as defined by the school of media ethics, means standing so far from the community that you see all events and all viewpoints as equally distant and important, or unimportant for that matter. It is employed by giving equal weight to all viewpointsor, if not, giving all an interesting twist, within taste. The result is a presentation of facts in a true non-partisan manner, and then standing back to let the reader decide which view is true. By going about it this way, we are defining objectivity not by the way we go about gathering and interpreting the news, but by what we actually put in the paper. It can be measured out by allocating so many lines for this group, and so many lines for that group. To be fair, we should spread out our resources as evenly as possible. The critics get a lot to chew on when that is the definition of objectivity. One form of reaction is to say, Objectivity is impossible! No matter how we spread our resources, well never get it right. We might as well be honest, and listen to our subjective inner voices, and write and report from a neutral point of view. Some journalists who think that way will surely rely on public journalism as an excuse to paint with a biased brush. Of course it is impossible for a journalist to be completely objective because journalists are human and humans are subjective by nature. It is possible, however, for journalists to strive to be objective. A journalist may not like the Ku Klux Klan or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes but must understand the need to report about groups and organizations that have an impact on the community. Journalists have to put personal feelings and beliefs aside when dealing with the news. If the ideal of objectivity is hard to grasp, then perhaps better words are fair, impartial, neutral or balanced. It is the last concept of balance that is in practice each day for journalists. Each story a journalist writes must present the facts accurately and provide a balanced view of both sides of the issue. For example, if a journalist finds accurate information about the mayor stealing funds from the public, the mayor must be given the opportunity to respond and explain the circumstances. The notion that journalists must maintain objectivity is a relatively new concept. The early American publishers were involved in politics and helped bring about the Revolution. Thomas Paine is admired for his words on freedom for the common man, and in motivating the colonies to rebel against the British Redcoats. Thomas Paine wrote, These are the times that try mens souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. I love the Internet as a journalistic platform, but I certainly see that it has as many flaws as traditional journalism. When I see the constant barrage of attacks from political partisans on the right and the left accusing journalists of being partial to the other side, If the journalists are getting attacked from both sides, it probably means they are doing a pretty good job of being fair and objective mainstream journalists. Before the Internet, the non-mainstream wasnt readily visible; we didnt have easy access to anything but the mainstream. When the Internet opened us up to a vast world of sidestream opinion and culture, it made us second-guess the mainstream media. The Internet revealed to us that the big mainstream media corporations werent really telling us thats the way it is but thats the way it is in order for certain media corporations to capture a share of the mass market. .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .postImageUrl , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:hover , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:visited , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:active { border:0!important; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:active , .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958 .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7c330a81c14af74d9f1c4eba8a74c958:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Multicultural Essay From being on the Internet, Im probably more skeptical of everything I read, both on and off the Net. I am even more skeptical of Internet publications than I am of the mainstream. Gatekeepers arent necessarily a bad thing. Those lessons I was taught in journalism classes .

Wedding Insurance Essay Example

Wedding Insurance Essay My paper is going to cover what is supposed to be one of the happiest days in peoples lives, their wedding day. I spoke to my cousin who is a Farm Bureau insurance agent and asked her for some ideas on insurance that is out of the ordinary and she directed me to Wed-sure, a specialized agency that covers wedding. When I think of that type of insurance, I was thinking that would be used when either the bride or groom backs out at the last minute. I was surprised to see how many different situations can occur to cause a wedding to be delayed. The story that I have chosen to tell is about an unexpected death that occurred on the eve of a well lanned, very expensive, wedding Sol and Chaya planned their wedding in downtown Washington, D. C. , at a grand, historic hotel. It would be a formal event with 300 guests and a four-course meal at the reception. Sols father was a retired senator, so the guest list was diverse and included many influential and well-known people. The night before the big event, a more casual, albeit quite swanky, rehearsal dinner was scheduled at the historic bar and grill attached to the hotel. We will write a custom essay sample on Wedding Insurance specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wedding Insurance specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wedding Insurance specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Sols 88-year-old father, David, was riding the train from New York and two of his favorite indulgences, lobster nd prime rib, were on the menu. David was quite proud of his son and fond of his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. He relished the thought of mingling with old friends and spending time with his family. All was going according to plan until the evening of the rehearsal dinner, when Sol went to the train station to pick up his father. As riders exited the train, David was nowhere to be found. Sol called his fathers cell phone, but there was no answer. He then went to the ticket counter at the train station to see if his father, David had purchased a ticket. Indeed, he had purchased a icket so his disappearance was disheartening. Sol noticed a policeman and an EMT boarding the emptied train, and his heart started pounding in his chest. He asked a few onlookers what was happening and he learned from others on the train, that a passenger had been found unconscious. Soon, Sols worst fears were realized and that the passenger in question was indeed his father. Worse yet for Sol, his father was deceased and not unconscious as initially believed. The whole situation was so surreal, sad, and unexpected that Sol struggled to think clearly. His heart was broken and all he wanted to do was grieve. Thankfully, his wife to be, Chaya was his rock. One thing he had always admired was her ability to remain calm under pressure and today although the pressure was more than anyone should have to bear was no exception. After consoling Sol, and logistically discussing the next steps, she calmly stated that the wedding could not proceed under these circumstances with Sol being so distraught about the death of his father. She called a group of her closest friends and family members to help her dispatch the news to all expected guests. Then, once Sol was quieted, she called Wed- Sure, the insurance agency Chaya had visited prior o planning the wedding. Just as she expected, Wed- Sure confirmed that she had in fact purchased wedding cancellation coverage on her wedding insurance policy and that she and Sol would be reimbursed for all expenses the couple had incurred. At this late date, final payments were already required for the major expenses and had been paid by Sol and Chaya. The costs incurred totaled $103,000! Thanks to their Wed- Sure policy, Sol and Chaya recouped every penny. They were greatly relieved and able to put the wedding behind them and truly focus on the moment at hand aying goodbye to their beloved father. From extreme weather to severe sickness to job loss, there are numerous unplanned scenarios and events that can wreak havoc with your wedding plans. Thats why its Just plain smart to have wedding cancellation insurance. Wedsures cancellation and postponement insurance helps young couples safeguard there investment into their wedding and their future. This type of coverage pays the nonrefundable expenses incurred when the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding or reception must be canceled or postponed for reasons beyond anyones ontrol. If the wedding is canceled for a covered reason many times the honeymoon expenses are also covered. View Sample Policy Wed [emailprotected] is endorsed by the National Alliance of Special Event Planners, Inc. (NASEP), www. nasep. org Sitemap I Privacy Policy I Contact Wedsure I Home The information presented on Wedsure. com, is only a summary; it is not all inclusive, nor does it alter or waive any of the actual policy language. Read your policy. OCopyright 2011-2013. All rights reserved. R. V. Nuccio Associates, Inc. [emailprotected] is a registered trademark of R. V. Nuccio Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc.

What You Need to Know About the Black Death

What You Need to Know About the Black Death When historians refer to The Black Death, they mean the specific outbreak of plague that took place in Europe in the mid-14th century. It was not the first time plague had come to Europe, nor would it be the last. A deadly epidemic known as the Sixth-Century Plague  or Justinians plague  struck Constantinople and parts of southern Europe 800 years earlier, but it did not spread as far as the Black Death, nor did it take nearly as many lives. The Black Death came to Europe in October of 1347, spread swiftly through most of Europe by the end of 1349 and on to Scandinavia and Russia in the 1350s. It returned several times throughout the rest of the century. The Black Death was also known as  The Black Plague, the Great Mortality, and the Pestilence. The Disease Traditionally, the disease that most scholars believe struck Europe was Plague. Best known as the bubonic plague for the buboes (lumps) that formed on the victims bodies, Plague also took pneumonic and septicemic forms. Other diseases have been postulated by scientists, and some scholars believe that there was a pandemic of several diseases, but currently, the theory of Plague (in all its varieties) still holds among most historians.​ Where the Black Death Started Thus far, no one has been able to identify the point of origin of the Black Death with any precision.  It started somewhere in Asia, possibly in China, possibly at Lake Issyk-Kul in central Asia. How the Black Death Spread Through these methods of contagion, the Black Death spread via trade routes  from Asia to Italy, and thence throughout Europe: Bubonic Plague was spread by the fleas who lived on plague-infected rats, and such rats were ubiquitous on trading ships.Pneumonic Plague could spread with a sneeze and jump from person to person with terrifying speed.Septicemic Plague spread through contact with open sores. Death Tolls It is estimated that approximately 20 million people died in Europe from the Black Death. This is about one-third of the population. Many cities lost more than 40% of their residents, Paris lost half, and Venice, Hamburg, and Bremen are estimated to have lost at least 60% of their populations. Contemporary Beliefs About the Plague In the Middle Ages, the most common assumption was that God was punishing mankind for its sins. There were also those who believed in demonic dogs, and in Scandinavia, the superstition of the Pest Maiden was popular. Some people accused the Jews of poisoning wells; the result was horrific persecution of Jews that the papacy was hard-put to stop. Scholars attempted a more scientific view, but they were hampered by the fact that the microscope wouldnt be invented for several centuries. The University  of Paris conducted a study, the Paris Consilium, which, after serious investigation, ascribed the plague to a combination of earthquakes and astrological forces. How People Reacted to the Black Death Fear and hysteria were the most common reactions. People fled the cities in panic, abandoning their families. Noble acts by doctors and priests were overshadowed by those who refused to treat their patients or give last rites to plague victims. Convinced the end was near, some sank into wild debauchery; others prayed for salvation. Flagellants went from one town to another, parading through the streets and whipping themselves to demonstrate their penitence. Effects of the Black Death on Europe Social Effects The marriage rate rose sharply- in part due to predatory men marrying rich orphans and widows.The birth rate also rose, though recurrences of the plague kept population levels reduced.There were notable increases in violence and debauchery.Upward mobility took place on a small scale. Economic Effects A surplus of goods resulted in overspending; it was swiftly followed by a shortage of goods and inflation.A shortage of laborers meant they were able to charge higher prices; the government tried to limit these fees to pre-plague rates. Effects on the Church The Church lost many people, but the institution became richer through bequests. It also grew richer by charging more money for its services, such as saying mass for the dead.Less-educated priests were shuffled into jobs where more learned men had died.The failure of the clergy to help the suffering during the plague, combined with its obvious wealth and the incompetence of its priests, caused resentment among the people. Critics grew vocal, and the seeds of the Reformation were sown.

Keegan v Newcastle United Football Co Ltd Essay

Keegan v Newcastle United Football Co Ltd - Essay Example 2million in addition to interest which will be assessed if the parties do not agree. In the United Kingdom, Constructive dismissal is covered under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (Prichard, 2005, p. 15) Facts Mr Keegan was appointed the Manager of the Club (for the second time) under a written Contract signed and dated 16 January 2008. The then Chairman of the Club, Chris Mort, had approached him about the position a few days earlier, and asked him to meet Mike Ashley (the owner) before deciding whether to take up the appointment. Therefore, a meeting was arranged to take place on 16 January 2008 in London; in attendance were Mr Keegan, Mike Ashley, Mr Mort and Tony Jimenez. After lengthy negotiations and discussions, the Contract was signed between Mr Keegan and the Newcastle United Football Club, and Mr Keegan was appointed the Manager of the Club at an initial salary of ?3million per annum. The primary case for Mr Keegan is under the contract’s terms. Before the signing of the contract, they had agreed that he was to have the final say, and this is the basis on which he signed the contract on. Also, he asserts that at this meeting, Messrs Ashley, Jimenez, and Mort has expressly assured him that he would have the final say. However, the Newcastle Club argues that nothing was expressly said at the meeting regarding whether Mr Keegan will have the final say. In the case, the Club argues that Mr Keegan was told that there was a possibility that Dennis Wise (who was the then Manager of Leeds), would be appointed to this post. As such, the Club argue that under this structure, Tony Jimenez and the Director of Football would be responsible for recruitment of players and they would have the final say, not Mr Keegan. There are several events that culminated to the resignation of Mr Keegan on 4 September 2008. On 30 August 2008, almost at the end of the transfer window Mr Keegan was telephoned by Mr Wise and was told that he had a great player for the Club to s ign, namely Ignacio Gonzalez, and therefore he should look him up. Mr Keegan tried to do a background search about the player and could not even locate him on the internet and so was not satisfied that he will make a good player. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr Keegan had made it clear to Mr Wise, Mr Jimenez and to Mr Ashley that he strongly objected to the signing of Mr Gonzalez, the Club went ahead with the deal and the transfer was concluded on 31 August 2008. The Club defended its move as being motivated by commercial interests of the Club. The Club described these commercial interests as: the signing of the player on loan would be seen as a â€Å"favour† to two South American agents who were influential and would look Club favourably in the future. Whereas it is clear that Mr Keegan had concerns concerning the nature of this deal, his primary objection to it was that it breached the term of his contract by which he, as the Manager, would have the final say. Mr Keegan st ated that despite several attempts by both sides to find a way forward, there seemed to be no headway and he thus concluded that he had no option but to leave the Club. Legally, Mr Keegan argued, the Club had breached

Need for communication in the international sports events Essay

Need for communication in the international sports events - Essay Example The project seeks to present the ways in which communication can be used effectively in the 2012 Olympic Games. As it is one of most awaited and popular events the world would wait eagerly for, it is crucial that a solid communication foundation is created and implemented for connecting the global audience and employees associated with it together. The game is likely to employ numerous temporary staff from all over the world to give effect to the big international event. Thus it is crucial that these staffs are united together through an effective communication system. It is also important that technology is applied for the purpose for enhancing and improving the efficiency of the system. The project presents certain communication strategies which might be employed in the 2012 Olympic Games and their contribution to the overall success of the game. Need for communication in the international sports events The international sports events, such as the Olympics require extensive coordination of activities of its employees. Olympics games employ numerous temporary staff, volunteers from different nations. This requires the implementation of a concrete communication infrastructure to collaborate workings and activities. Moreover it must also be ensured that there are not hurdles or hindrances in the communication process in the system. Also the greatest challenge in such international events is that they employ a huge number of employees.... Thus it is crucial that these staffs are united together through an effective communication system. It is also important that technology is applied for the purpose for enhancing and improving the efficiency of the system. The project presents certain communication strategies which might be employed in the 2012 Olympic Games and their contribution to the overall success of the game. Need for communication in the international sports events The international sports events, such as the Olympics require extensive coordination of activities of its employees. Olympics games employ numerous temporary staff, volunteers from different nations. This requires the implementation of a concrete communication infrastructure to collaborate workings and activities. Moreover it must also be ensured that there are not hurdles or hindrances in the communication process in the system. Also the greatest challenge in such international events is that they employ a huge number of employees. Managing the num erous numbers of people is likely to be problematic and create commotion. In such a condition it is crucial for the organization to employ a systematic and hurdle free communication strategy for smooth communication between the numerous employees employed in the system. The aim of an integrated and specialized communication system is to provide opportunities for the employees for exchanging information with one another in as minimum time as possible. This would consequently eliminate chances of miscommunication in the system which would consequently reduce chances of errors and complications too. Moreover errors leading to extra costs and investments could also be eliminated completely. In this regard, the

The Origin of Theatre Essay Example for Free

The Origin of Theatre Essay â€Å"It is unlikely that anyone will ever know just how theatre emerged† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 3). Though there is little certain evidence, strong indications, scattered throughout our history, point to theatre finding its origins in the ancient rituals of shamanism. One might argue that theatre finds its origins quite clearly in ancient Greek theatre seeing as they have many written and still surviving plays and strong standing theatres, but George Freedley (1941) would argue otherwise. The oldest records of plays, stage directions and possibly even scripts are found not in ancient Greece but in Egypt, and they date back till as early as 4000 B. C. in examples of drama such as the Pyramid Texts (Freedley, 1941: 2). We can even directly link Egyptian and Greek performance by noting that a historian of the theatre, Herodotus, recorded â€Å"the religious festivals and the origin of the worship of Dionysos(sic) which was later to be transferred to the dramatic festivals in Greece† (Freedley, 1941: 1). This suggests that theatre as we know it actually finds its roots in ancient Egyptian festivals and dramas preformed in celebration of the gods. A common element seen in both Egyptian and Greek culture, be it on stage or not, is the ritualistic nature of their performances. This fact suggests that the origin of their version of performance and theatre is found in ritual and its significant role in society. â€Å" the earliest information about the presence of such drama comes from the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, most notably Egypt† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 6). As the quote suggests, ritual as a means of drama is found all over the world, but clearly not in the same form as ancient Greek and Egyptian theatre. Therefore, one must look for other examples of ritualistic practises and performance in the world that predate even these ancient cultures. Left is but one known possible source from which theatre may have evolved; shamanism. To add, there are many similarities between recorded and modern theatre, and shamanistic ritual and the belief itself. Firstly, the definition of  Shamanism is: Shamanism can be defined as a family of traditions whose practitioners focus on voluntarily entering altered states of consciousness in which they experience themselves or their spirit(s), travelling to other realms at will, and interacting with other entities in order to serve their community (Walsh, 1990: 15). Further more, it is also important to note that shamanism is not a religion which adheres to specific rules of practise, it is rather a method used to interact with the spirit world (Harner, cited in Walsh, 1982: 12). For this reason we can at least theorise that shamanism and its traits, however few in common, may be the inspiration for later religious and/or non-religious beliefs and customs involving forms of theatre and performance. Greek theatre for example shares many similar traits with shamanism as seen in the following quote: In all three types of drama, tragedy, satyr plays and comedy, the actors were heavily disguised, much more than in the modern theatre. This was due not only to the fact that the female roles were played by men, but ultimately had its roots in religion. A complete disguise was the external sign that the actor had given up his own identity in honour of the god, in order to let another being speak and act through him. Dionysus, for whom the dramas were preformed, was the god of ecstasy. The word á ¼â€ÃŽ ºÃÆ'Ï„Î ±ÃÆ'ÃŽ ¹Ãâ€š means ‘standing outside oneself’; in other words the renunciation of individuality. An important medium for this in all three drama types was the mask. Simon, 1972: 10) When compared to shamanism we see that, as in ancient Greek theatre, the use of attire other than the common dress of the shaman was thought to be essential in the rituals they preformed. Whether the ritualistic costume is extreme clothing or even ritualistic nudity (as in the case of the Eskimo shamans), the important point is that whilst a shaman is wearing his everyday clothing, the experience will not take p lace (Eliade, 1964: 146). We also see that the trance-like state achieved allows for the shaman/performer to channel spirits so that they may communicate and act through him, however this does not necessarily mean that the subject is ‘possessed’. Although shamans are thought to be capable of allowing and inducing the possession of their bodies by spirits, their dealings with spirits primarily involve them ‘wielding’ the spirits with which they are dealing (Eliade, 1964: 15). Lastly, the ancient Greek dramas were performed in honour of the god Dionysus, the god of ecstasy. This is important to note as shamanistic practises are defined by the ecstatic experience a shaman induces as he engages in a trance through which his soul ‘journeys’ and leaves his body so that he may communicate with the spirits (Eliade, 1964: 15). In relation to modern theatre, shamans are known to have undergone not dissimilar training from modern day actors and performers in order to acquire many of the same abilities which are commonly used in theatrical performance. In order to induce the altered state desired shamans have been known to use techniques such as singing, dancing, and drumming (Walsh, 1990: 142). Shamans have even been described as â€Å"singers, magicians, actors and ventriloquists† (Thurn, cited in Narby Huxley, 2001: 43). Though the training a shaman endures is much more demanding and can even be physically damaging, such as when using techniques like self-induced vomiting, feigning nervous fits, and fainting (Levi-Strauss, cited in Walsh, 1972: 102-103), there is still a clear similarity in the level of discipline required of shamans and modern day performers to master their craft. The act of transformation, the ritualistic dress, the rigorous training, and the natural skill required to become a shaman are all traits which we today link to theatre and what is required of its performers, providing a strong indication that shamanism is indeed where it all started. Trying to search further back than this leaves one with little more to work with than what one might all ‘educated guesses’ as to what may have sparked its creation. A popular theory is that theatrical actions were the means by which we communicated before language had sufficiently developed as to convey detailed messages to one-another. As language became a human tool, early nomadic societies were still concerned with the needs of survival. Theatrical elements entered into the conveying of these needs among members of the group itself (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 4). This theory can of course not be tested or proven, but nor can it be isproven, and therefore it holds weight relative to the view point of the researcher. The origins of theatre are hard to trace, as the pieces evidence to suggest where it truly came from are few and far between. However, based on accounts which have survived through history such as those mentioned above, and the clear similarities between Shamanism, shamanistic ritual and the theatre throughout history, it becomes clear that Shamanism is the most likely origin of theatre as we know it today.