Essay on Capital Punishment A Negative Way to Deter Crime

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot is a well known phrase that means when someone commits a wrongdoing against another person they must be punished the same way. But how far can this statement go, should the government have rights to kill someone if a person kills another? Or does anyone have the right to sentence a person to the death penalty even if they stole grapes or killed a chicken? The death penalty may limit crime, but it is not a positive form of punishment due to the financial burdens on the government, killings of the innocent, and moral and ethical issues. The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the most extreme measure of all sentencing (Schmalleger 407). The†¦show more content†¦However, by the 16th Century AD, Henry VIII allowed executions once again. Nearly 72,000 people were thought to have been executed during his reign (Death Penalty). During Henry VIII reign there were different forms of executing people used. Boiling, hanging, beheading, burning at the stake and drowning were used as execution methods (Death Penalty). These executions would occur for reasons such as marrying a Jew, treason, and not confessing crimes that were committed (Death Penalty). By 1700 in Britain there were 222 different crimes that could be punished by death (Frontline). A couple of these crimes were stealing or cutting down a tree (Frontline). But for 1823-1837 the death penalty began to eliminate 100 of the crimes that could cause an execution. In 1767, Cesare Beccaria wrote an essay, On Crimes and Punishment, which discussed the fact there is no justification for the state to take someone’s life (Death Penalty). This essay resulted in abolishing the death penalty in Austria and Tuscany. After a few failed attempts the United States made progress in eliminating the death penalty. In 1794 Pennsylvania was able to repeal the death penalty and have the executions for only fir st degree murders. Early in the 1800’s states started building penitentiaries to reduce the amount of capital crimes. Michigan in 1846 had eliminated theShow MoreRelatedIs Capital Punishment Immoral? Essay1525 Words   |  7 PagesIs Capital Punishment Immoral? In a Kantian world with moral laws, capital punishment does not seem to be a theoretical solution for punishing murders. But when someone does commit murder those individuals render their rights, and henceforth would acknowledge their action with consequences, such as capital punishment. Jeffrey H. Reiman presents various arguments against the use of capital punishment with no adequate evidence of effectiveness, but I disagree. Capital punishment is a reasonableRead MoreWhy the Death Penalty is Ineffective1552 Words   |  6 Pages Why the Death Penalty is Ineffective The society constantly tries to reason with an effective way to respond to violence. Differences in opinion on the use of death as punishment arise from differences in religious, ethical, cultural, and morale perspectives. The role of death as a punishment for an offence has not been solved today, and remains a dilemma for the citizenrys political, legal, social, and religious thought. This is because an answer to the question is the death penalty effectiveRead MoreEnding the Death Penalty960 Words   |  4 Pagesin court to support a loved one falsely convicted of a capital offense. Against the well-prepared prosecutor, the chances of not being sentenced to death are looking slim. As the judge bangs the gavel, sealing his fate, you know he is innocent but there is nothing you can do about it. In just a few weeks, the cyanide laced air in his chamber will suffocate his breath, burn his lungs, and force him to close his eyes forever in repent for a crime he never committed. The deat h penalty is an issue in theRead MoreThe Death Penalty: The Case of Carlos DeLuna Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagescommit the crime, however, he was arrested. He even went further, he named the culprit, a violent criminal named Carlos Hernandez. However, the chief prosecutor believed that Hernandez did not exist; he was only a â€Å"figment of DeLunas imagination.† About four years later the execution of Carlos Deluna, Hernandez admitted his crime of killing Lopez. Would everything be different if Deluna was not sentenced to death, but just imprisoned? About 40% of Americans are against capital punishment, and theyRead MoreA Call to End Capital Punishment Essay example1651 Words   |  7 PagesCapital punishment is a very divisive topic in the United States and also in our home state of West Virginia. This is a topic that sparks passion within people about the equality and effectiveness of the American Judicial system. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion about this topic but the throbbing question that lingers in the air is that is it morally right? Capital punishment also known as the death penalty is the brutal ordered execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crimeRead MoreShould The Death Penalty Be A Type Of Corporal Punishment?844 Words   |  4 Pagesis often punishment for wrongdoing. After being told not to follow through with an action, children are often disciplined with a spanking in order to ensure that it does not happen again. When children grow up and become adults, instead of being punished for committing worse actions, they are instead given a slap on the hand and sent to a cell in an institution that provides not only food, but television as well. In order to prevent criminals from believing that committing a serious crime has no severeRead MoreArgumentative Essay On The Death Penalty957 Words   |  4 Pagesdeterring crime as it did before. Although there are many claims supporting both sides still over half o f Americans are for capital punishment in some way, but what causes someone to be sentenced to death? According to the article â€Å"Against the American System of Capital Punishment† by Jack Greenberg the worst crime is, â€Å"a putative killer of one’s parent or child† (Greenberg). What makes this the worst crime? And out of the few executions are these the only people getting this punishment?   Some peopleRead MoreTheories Of The Age Of Enlightenment1026 Words   |  5 Pagesrange of inhumane acts including but not limited to being tarred and feathered, quartered, burned alive, beheaded, drowned, or stoned to death. This way of thinking and punishing offenders continued through the 1600’s until the Age of Enlightenment. It was during this time that Thomas Hobbes wrote a book proposing theories that would change the way many people think about other individuals and their actions. Thomas Hobbes’ most influential contributions to the Age of Enli ghtenment were his theoriesRead MoreThe Death Penalty Has Been Considered An Issue Since The1607 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferences in the way people view the death penalty; some oppose it and some agree with it. In the recent decades the death penalty has become a more popular controversial topic. The people who oppose the death penalty have very different reasons than people who agree with it. Death penalty advocates believe that the death penalty deters crime rates and is completely constitutional, whereas anti death penalty advocates believe that the death penalty is unconstitutional and doesn’t deter crimes. Through researchRead MoreNo More Excuses For Death Penalty Abolishment. Please Assume1532 Words   |  7 Pagesunbelievably becomes â€Å"Yes† when the topic changes to capital punishment. Over decades, advocates of death penalty persist that the â€Å"an eye for an eye† rule is justice and have misperception it effectively deters crimes. However, accor ding to the statistic and logical analysis, the death penalty should be eliminated as soon as possible, because it fails whether to be merciful to protect innocent people or to be harsh to deter crimes or as a suitable punishment. To Be Merciful The law is set up to protect

Oedipus The King A Tragic Hero - 870 Words

Modern day drama has roots in the beautifully structured Greek theatrical culture. In the sixth century, ancient Greece, and more specifically Athens, overflowed with artistic talent. The Dionysian Festival materialized from Athens and this is where we first saw comedies and tragedies on stage. The Greek, as with many other cultures, honored their gods and did much to please and placate them. The Dioynsia Festival, which honored their god Dionysus, is proof of this. Sophocles, the well-known playwright, emerged and thrived in the fifth century. He frequently competed in the festival, with some of the oldest tragedies and his most famous being performed there. While only seven of his plays have survived, many, like Oedipus the King, are still prevalent today. It definitely meets the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis. Oedipus the King is seen as a perfect tragedy. It features a hero with a tragic flaw, Oedipus, and highlights many common themes in Greek tragedy such as fate or destiny, love, pride, loss, the abuse of power, and a tense relationship between man and God. It also meets the five main standards for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis [HubPages]. In this play, the audience learns of Oedipus’ past and hears foreshadowing of his future all while we see him trying to figure it out for himself. HeShow MoreRelatedThe Tragic Hero Of Oedipus The King1528 Words   |  7 Pagesdescribes the tragic hero as having three components which should be present in order to influence the audience. The audience must become involved emotionally with the hero so they become fearful for his welfare or well-being. The concluding suffering of the hero draws pity from the audience. Aristotle describes this emotional transition a s â€Å"catharsis† which refers to the purging or releasing of emotions. This is what Aristotle believes entices audiences to watch tragedies. The hero must also beRead MoreOedipus The King : A Tragic Hero1541 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle (384-322 B.C.) defines a tragic hero as one who possesses the characteristics of hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, and that the characters fate must be greater than deserved (Else). Since the main character in Sophocles’ classic tragedy Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King matches up to Aristotle’s definition, Oedipus certainly exemplifies what it is to be a â€Å"tragic hero.† The play’s protagonist Oedipus is revered as a good man and intelligent ruler who acts quickly to support Thebes- a cityRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Oedipus The King987 Words   |  4 PagesWhile exemplifying the high estate, noble character, and flawed nature of Aristotle’s tragic hero, Oedipus fails to have a personal mistake become his undoing, hence denying him the status of Aristotle’s tragic hero. A key criteria of Aristotle’s tragic hero is that he or she comes from high estate, such as a royal family. Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero is well thought out in this manner. High status is important as it gives the character a long way to fall (Kennedy Gioia, 2013). ThisRead MoreTragic Hero In Oedipus The King1502 Words   |  7 PagesThe idea of a tragic hero was first thought of by the philosopher Aristotle in his work, â€Å"Poetics†. In article discussing the philosopher’s ideology of a tragic hero, with emphasis on hamartia, the author states: The function of a tragedy is to arouse the emotions of pity and fear and Aristotle deduces the qualities of his hero from this function. He should be good, but not perfect, for the fall of a perfect man from happiness into misery, would be unfair and repellent and will not arouse pity. SimilarlyRead MoreOedipus The King : A Tragic Hero987 Words   |  4 PagesLike most greek tragedies, Oedipus the King had a tragic hero whose downfall was the result of a tragic flaw. Oedipus, like other greek characters, did not see his errors until his reign was coming to an end. Oedipus, the man who saved Thebes did not understand that every good thing must come to an end. A tragic hero defined by Aristotle has five characteristics that lead to their downfall and their understanding of why the situation happened. Oedipus is the ideal tragic hero because his downfall followedRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Oedipus The King1156 Words   |  5 Pages The topic I chose is the tragic hero topic. There exists a number of parameters that describe a tragic hero and thus it was my desire to get to understand these parameters. It was also my desire to be in position to give the difference between normal heroes and a tragic hero and give see the main dimensions of the two figures. I preferred to work with the book by Sophocles Oedipus, the king, in order to portray the attributes of a tragic hero. The book contains adequate information concerning theRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Oedipus And King1060 Words   |  5 Pageshowever, Oedipus and Dido lost much more than that. These were two great leaders that both, suffered by losing their reputations, their sanity, and their kingdoms. These are two great examples of what a tragic character displays, according to Aristotle’s conception. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is a distinguished person occupying a high position, living in prosperous circumstances and falling into misfortune because of an error in judgment. King Oedipus and Queen Dido are tragic charactersRead MoreOedipus the King a Tragic Hero936 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish 1302-6504 Mrs.Weatherford 21 November 2011 A Tragic Hero Indeed! In Sophocles tragedy Oedipus the King, King Oedipus swears to solve the murder of former King Laios in order to free the city from the plague. The plague taunts the city destroying crops and livestock and making the women unable to bear children. A seer, Teirsias tells Oedipus that he himself is Thebes’s pollution for killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus ignores his words and is blind to the truth until he discoversRead MoreOedipus : The King Of Thebes And Tragic Hero Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesOedipus: The King of Thebes and Tragic Hero Ancient Greek Literature encompasses an assortment of poetry and drama to include the great masterpieces of tragedy. In Classic Literature, tragedies were commonly known for their elaboration of a protagonist fitting the classification of a tragic hero. This type of a tragic hero often collectively described as a character of noble birth, facing an adversity of some nature and a fate of great suffering. The characteristics of what encompassed a tragic heroRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Oedipus The King1518 Words   |  7 Pagesaudiences so well. A tragic hero plays the most essential role in this. Tragic heroes can be defined differently for whoever is trying to force a character into the tragic hero mold. However Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, established an outline of the requirements a tragic hero has to meet in order to be considered one. These requirements include a downfall, a hamartia, and recognition of said tragic hero’s condition. Oedipus, the prot agonist of Sophocles’ play Oedipus The King fits the mold.

Is the Catcher in the Rye Should Be Banned Free Essays

Is the Catcher in the Rye should be banned? According to Sova B Dawn, â€Å"The novel has long ignited disapproval, and it was the most frequently banned book in schools between 1966 and 1975. Even before that time, however, the work was a favorite target of sensors. † (Dawn) Whitfield also documents that â€Å"In 1973 the American School Board Journal called The Catcher in the Rye the most widely censored book in the United States. We will write a custom essay sample on Is the Catcher in the Rye Should Be Banned or any similar topic only for you Order Now † (Whitfield) Why people, especially parents, eager to place the Catcher in the Rye, the classic story of a teenager quest for maturity in the banned book list? â€Å"In late 1980, Mark David Chapman stuck a copy of J. D. Salinger’s book in his pocket as he stalked and then murdered John Lennon. Before the New York police arrived, the assassin began re-reading the novel to himself. † Whitfield documents the negative influence the Catcher in the Rye has, â€Å"John Hinckley, who said ‘if you want my defense all you have to do is read Catcher in the Rye. It seemed to be time to read it again. ’† (Whitfield)Both of these men claimed that their defense could be found within the pages of Salinger’s novel. People may wonder why the book has the odd connection with criminal loners. Maybe because they found themselves are so familiar with what happened to Holden Caulfield? Most people counts these crimes as a result of publishing the novel, however, if the book doesn’t exist at all, these two people would still be involved in crimes. In other words, it is not the book that boosts them to shoot people. It is themselves that did so. Obviously, another reason is the book â€Å"included considerable profanity and ‘filthy and profane’ language. † (Dawn) Some parents prohibited their children to read the novel even without reading it themselves. They just flip a few pages and the offending words can be easily found so that they immediately make a judgment that this book is not suitable for children to learn. But the question is, is that really true? If a work contains â€Å"dirty† words is it mean it’s immoral? To answer the question, we have to define the word â€Å"morality†. The definition of morality varies from different people depending on their social position, their careers and their growing path and so on. We should not listen to those who yelling the loudest unconditionally, instead we should choose to listen to our own hearts, to make our own decisions, to find the mature definition. We can take a serious look into Holden Caulfield that whether he sets a bad example to teenagers or not. For this problem, Edwards has her view that the Holden’s suggestive immorality doesn’t influence the readers negatively. On the contrary, it is Holden’s many good qualities that actually influence the readers positively. Edwards then uses five different moral ideas—Unto the Least of These, Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother, Blessed are the Pure, Woe to You, Hypocrites, Suffer the Little Children— to show the relationship between Holden Caulfield and Bible in her article in order to prove the protagonist is not â€Å"guilty† for his actions. The main idea Edwards uses is Holden’s relationship with his family. No one could probably love his family more than Holden does. He admires his older brother, D. B’s skill and work as a writer in Hollywood. And for Allie, Holden’s little brother, died for leukemia about two years ago, Holden described him as â€Å"terrifically intelligent† and â€Å"the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest. † (Salinger 38) When Holden knew about his younger brother’s death, he broke all the windows with his bare fists. He mentioned that his hand still hurts once in a while, which may refer his special feelings for Allie, will not disappear as the time passed by. Another indispensable character is Holden’s ten-year-old sister, Phoebe. â€Å"You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart. I mean she’s had all A’s ever since she started school. † (Salinger) One can easily see Holden’s care and love for Phoebe. The leading character of Catcher in the Rye is absolutely not against the family value which society take a really consideration for one to be moral. It is exactly his love for Phoebe, his love for family that keeps him stay rather than escaping to â€Å"somewhere out west where it was very pretty and sunny and where nobody’d know me. † (Salinger 198) Holden’s empathy for other people serves as another reason that this novel is about morality. â€Å"One of the most endearing qualities of the teenage protagonist is his empathy for other people, especially those whom others reject. † (Edwards) Ackley, for example, everyone hates him. He has â€Å"sinus trouble, pimples, lousy teeth, halitosis, crumby fingernails. like June Edwards concluded from the novel. (Edwards) But, says Holden, â€Å"You had to feel a little sorry for the crazy sonuvabitch. † (Salinger) Holden is the only one who does. Though Ackley irritates him, he never turns him away. What’s more, he even invited Ackley to see a movie with him and another boy because he knew he has no friends at all and no one else would hangs out with him. The concern about other people Holden showed doesn’t come very often in the surroundings at his age, which proves that the Catcher in the Rye’s morality. Holden Caulfield claims himself hates people who behave one way in public and another way in private. â€Å"Except if some boy had little old funny-looking parents†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ if a boy’s mother was sort of fat and corny-looking†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ then old Haas would just shake hands with them and give them a phony smile and then he’d go talk, maybe for half an hour with someone else’s parents. † (Salinger) One of the most important qualities about morality is against hypocrites. Being genuine and honesty towards others is what Holden believes in and he actually did accomplish it. What’s more, after Holden leaves Pency Prep, he made his way to New York City. Afraid of going home to tell his parents the truth that he was expelled from school, again, and let them disappointed, he decided to go to a hotel. Holden said yes to a pimp who persuades him to have a good time in the elevator. However, he found himself â€Å"uncomfortable† when the prostitute approaches him. His inability to a sexual activity indicates the characteristic he has— innocence, which he also wants to protect children from losing. The title â€Å"Catcher in the Rye† reveals the protagonist’s willingness to become the Catcher. Aside of his own innocence, Holden would like to â€Å"catch† other children’ innocence. When Holden comes home without telling his parents just to see Phoebe, he tells her that what he would like to become more than anything else in the world is a Catcher in the Rye. â€Å"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. (Salinger 173) The innocence and simplicity of children holds an especial appeal for Holden as well. For instance, toward the end of the book, Holden’s frantic desire to erase all the â€Å"Fuck you† s scrawled throughout the city and around the world is related to Holden’s fear o f becoming an adult, his disgust with the vulgarity of the real world, and his need to protect the innocence of those younger than him, just like his sister. One cares so much about protecting others from falling to the â€Å"cliff† must be a genuine  and virtuous person. In conclusion, it can be argued that the Catcher in the Rye is a moral book and should not be banned. Though we’ve reached an agreement that problematic words, sentences do exist, we need to learn to look beyond them because we know the intention of Holden is good. Judge a book’s quality and education meaning is not depending on whether it has blasphemous words or not. Actions, not words, reveal a person’s attitude and intention. What truly inside the bad words is a sense of being lost; we can witness a teenager’s struggle and search for finding his value in society. The word he uses is a typical insecure young man’s protection shell during adolescence, which we should be able to understand. How to cite Is the Catcher in the Rye Should Be Banned, Papers