Dr. Faustus Essay: Free Will and Personal Responsibility

Through and through freedom and Personal Responsibility in Faustusâ â It very well may be contended that Doctor Faustus is condemned from the snapshot of origination. His natural want for information definitely prompts his defeat. He speaks to the basic human disappointment with being human and the battle of tolerating our absence of power and omniscience. Marlowe controls this battle between the desires of one character of his time and the suggestions to Christianity comparable to its teaching of paradise and damnation. In reality, Doctor Faustus requests more than what was purposefully made accessible to him through God's arrangement, yet it was God's blessing to him of his astuteness, that enticed him to look past his named domain of information. Faustus, through his own choice, chooses to exchange his spirit with Lucifer request to pick up the responses to the inquiries of the universe. As indicated by the celestial arrangement belief system of Catholic convention, his choice worked into the grandiose diagram. The celestial utilization of his choic e suggests that there are benefits or rather some other significance, outside of the association with Faustus, of his selling his spirit. This decreases the force behind his choice as a result of the accentuation on all inclusive application rather than the quick repercussions to Faustus, the individual. Hence, one can contend with regards to where the obligation or deficiency lies concerning Faustus' destiny on account of the nearness of different powers who may have impacted his choice. Anyway the obligation regarding his decision remains his and his alone. Faustus sells his spirit for what he accepts to be boundless force, with the full intelligent, rather than enthusiastic, information as to outcomes of such an exchange. He knows the stakes of his bet with the ... ...oth lead to possible and interminable perdition. Despite what might be expected, one could contend that Marlowe was showing the pitilessness of the idea that confidence alone was insufficient to make sure about one's salvation, just by Faustus' heartbreaking end in itself. In any case, by thinking about Marlowe's conceivable feeling for Catholic creed, it very well may be gathered that a great part of the philosophy of the character of Doctor Faustus, for sure was the immediate result of Marlowe's own strict convictions. Works Cited and Consulted Marlowe, Christopher Dr Faustus in ed. WB Worthen (1996) The Harcourt Brace Anthology of Drama, second edn., Texas: Harcourt Brace Steane, J.B (1965) Marlowe Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Wilson, F.P (1953) Marlowe and the Early Shakespeare Oxford: Clarendon Press The Oxford English Dictionary (1989), Second release, Volume xviii. Oxford: Clarendon Pressâ

Motivation letter Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Inspiration letter - Assignment Example targets are to, first become a first mate, and afterward in time, endeavor to make sure about an advancement that will see me accomplish my fantasy about turning into a chief. I accept that I have assurance and center, which will guarantee that I gain involvement in the desire of not accomplishing the most elevated position in engine yachting, yet additionally contributing towards the business decidedly by guaranteeing that I guarantee my group individuals are sheltered and have certain about me. In spite of individual undertakings in accomplishing my fantasy employment of turning into a chief, I am likewise resolved to maintain the ethical morals that characterizes an engine yacht group given the additional consideration required in cruising travelers starting with one port then onto the next. Seeking after engine yachting calling isn't fulfilling by its own, yet through the incorporation of different viewpoints, for example, assuming liability, fitting in with the code of morals, regard for other people and giving different alternatives to address my inadvertent wrong doings, which will assist me with building my vocation from a good, enthusiastic, and demonstrable skill point of view. Engine yachting has generous difficulties that are related with the conditions in which the ocean vessels work. Surprisingly, being at the center of a sea with no spot to pull over in crisis cases is one of the mental difficulties that may confront each engine yacht team among numerous others including normal and experience difficulties. In any case, there is no single calling that comes without dangers; subsequently, I am resolved not to be characterized my feelings of dread and difficulties, yet what I can do to guarantee that the difficulties are a piece of everything a person seeks after. Regarding the maxim the idiom, â€Å"experience is the best teacher†, I am constantly prepared to encounter new things independent of whether they are difficulties, obstructions or even hardships, which guarantees that I flourish through my profession effectively and gaining from my past experience. It is my desire to invest my energy in huge water bodies supported by proficient yachting groups

When You Find Yourself Resembling an Antihero--A Confession

When You Find Yourself Resembling an Antihero--A Confession It was about a hundred pages into Lionel Schrivers dazzling and terrifying 2003 novel We Need to Talk About Kevin that I realized I bore more than a passing resemblance to the novels polarizing narrator, Eva Khatchadourian. Like Eva, the founder of a Lonely Planet-like travel book series, I am a HUGE traveler, maxing out my credit card to escape to odd, confusing, and often uncomfortable corners of the Earth. Like Eva, I am fiercely independent and in a relationship with a person who is in so many ways my opposite and complement. And, like Eva, I am ambivalent about the prospect of motherhood. I dont mean ambivalent in an Ive made a decision, Im just afraid society will judge me if I actually say it out loud kind of way. I mean ambivalent in the Oxford English Dictionary definition of the word. I have mixed feelings. I just dont know. Eva Khatchadourian comes down on the other side of the fence and makes the decision to have a child. That child is the eponymous Kevin, a sociopath since infancy (Ive cheerfully been referring to this novel as Rosemarys Baby  all grown up) whose malevolence increases as he grows up and climaxes with a particularly gruesome act of terror he carries out at his high school when he is 15, taking the lives of several of the student bodys brightest luminaries. In her narration, Eva posits that her ambivalence toward parenthood may have contributed, in a small or significant part, to her son growing up to become what he becomes. One of the central themes of the novel is this question: Is Kevin a product of nature and nurture? To put a finer point on it, are Kevins actions Evas fault? And Im like F. This. Ish. I know theres a reason they call it fiction, and still, I dont want  to resemble this character, this woman, this mother. Ive seen myself in fictional women before, but those women were Jo March and Elizabeth Bennet. What liberal-arts-educated girl is going to get pissed about being the best Little Woman out of all the Little Women? What girl who has seen all three discs of the BBCs Pride and Prejudice mini-series is going to say No, thank you, to being Jennifer Ehles Elizabeth to Colin Firths Darcy? The closest Ive gotten to getting irked about a literary comparison in the past is a few year ago, when my family agreed that I was Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter. What? No! Im bookish and stubborn and my hair and teeth are better than they used to be, Im Hermione! I protested. Youre Luna Lovegood. Get over it, my brother shrugged, who was absolutely fine with his comparison to cocky-but-loveable James Potter. It could be worse, you could be the Slytherin girl whos always laughing at Draco Malfoys jokes. Or Ginny Weasley. Hindsight is 20/20. I would take Luna Lovegood over Eva Khatchadourian in a millisecond. Its fascinating reading Schrivers interviews and essays about Kevin.  In these pieces, she reveals that she is also a world traveler, also fiercely independent, and was also most ambivalent about the prospect of motherhood. In the end, she chose not to have children at all. Still, thinking about motherhood, that vast and unpredictable continent that is intimidating to even the hardiest traveler, those thoughts jumpstarted a journey that became a novel. Im not just like Eva, Im also like Lionel. She created the work, I consumed it.  She stands on one side of the mirror, I on the other, and were both looking at our reflections and neither of us is sure we like what we see. Maybe thats a good thing. I think fiction can and should be a place to safely explore the possibilities of our lives. The people we want to become, dont want to become, dont know if we should become, and are afraid we will become. I sympathized with Eva through the entirety of the novel. I never thought she was to blame for what her child became. And I dont know if my championing of this character is an act of above-and-beyond-empathy or choosing fight instead of flight when it comes to my lizard brains self-defense mechanism. Im not sure of the answers, but Im riveted by the questions. I cant be alone on this one. Have any of you found yourselves resembling a polarizing/dislikable/outright villainous character? Lets support-group each other. Thats what reading friends are for.

In the Heart of the Sea - 1492 Words

In the Heart of the Sea The novel â€Å"In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex,† by Nathaniel Philbrick, successfully tells the story of the whale ship Essex that was attacked by a sperm whale 1,500 nautical miles west of the Galapagos, 40 miles south of the equator. Many people know this as the story of â€Å"Moby Dick†, which was based off this event. The novel highlights three themes: man versus nature, survival, and suffering. The novel starts out in the town of Nantucket, an island off the eastern coast of New England. Nantucket, at this time, is known as one of the most successful whaling ports. Docked on the port was the famous Essex, a 20 year whaling boat. The Essex is the pride of Nantucket. It is 87 feet long,†¦show more content†¦In chapter 5, on November 20, the crew spots whales 40 miles south of the equator. Chase and his crew go after a whale, which destroys their boat with its tail. When they bring their boat back to the Es sex, they spot a huge sperm whale near the bow of the ship calmly and quietly floating along the surface of the water. The whale began to move quickly towards the ship. The men try to steer Essex away from the whale, but are unsuccessful. The whale rams the ship with its head, and the men are amazed. After the whale revives itself, it struck the ship again, causing the Essex to sink bow-first. The men board their whaleboats after a night of preparation of leaving the Essex. They stripped the sails of the ship and attached them to their boats. The waves splashed over the boat, causing the work to be more difficult. The next morning, the boats take off. Chase and Pollard talk of where to go now that their ship has sunk. They speak about going to the Galapagos Islands, but Pollard noticed the wind direction would not allow them to go there. Next, they speak about the Marquesas, in the west. The men had heard that the inhabitants of the island were cannibals. South of the Marquesas were the Tauamotu Archipelago Islands, but the men had also heard that the islands have a bad reputation. In this conversation, we notice the colonist’s outlook on the unknown. They share a sense of togetherness within each other and no one else. We see this in the attitude of theShow MoreRelatedThe Heart Of The Sea1009 Words   |  5 PagesIn the Heart of the Sea is set in the early 1800 s, and tells the incredible and terrifying story of the whaling crew from the Essex. What begins as a routine whaling trip soon takes a turn for the worst when tragedy strikes the Essex and its crew. While the story may seem innocent at first, the disturbingly barbaric nature of a human spirit desperate for survival is nothing short of unthinkable. Nathaniel Philbrick does a phenomenal job of painting a picture in the reader s mind so vivid thatRead MoreIn the Heart of the Sea1460 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Heart of the Sea Jason Barker In the novel â€Å"In the heart of the Sea† Nathaniel Philbrick introduces the reader to Nantucket Island located in the east coast. He establishes the importance of the whaling industry in relation to the island. Philbrick does an incredible job of telling the story of 20 regular men doing their jobs whaling. They set sail on a renewed ship called the Essex. The Essex took a beating from a storm before it finally met its match an angered sperm whale. The whale rammedRead MoreThe Heart Of The Sea852 Words   |  4 PagesThis week we had the release of In the Heart of the Sea starring Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Blackhat, A Perfect Getaway) and Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer, The War Boys, Flags of Our Fathers). Another shimmering example of how movie trailers are strategically designed to make a movie much more epic than it really is. They got me good this time! In the Heart of the Sea is the story of the ship The Essex and it s few surviving men and their horrific story of the whale that broughtRead MoreIn the Heart of the Sea1533 Words   |  7 PagesIn the Heart of the Sea In 1819, The whale ship, Essex, set its sails and departed from Nantucket, Massachusetts on a voyage to the Pacific Ocean to hunt and kill sperm whales and retrieve the abundance of oil the whales possess, which became a crucial component in 19th century industry [2]. The island of Nantucket had been one of the most important oil businesses for quite some time. For the crew of the whale ships, harvesting whales was a tough assignment; when a whale was spotted, the crew wouldRead MoreReview Of The Heart Of The Sea 963 Words   |  4 PagesKristin Montane Mrs. Groninger AP Lang Rough Draft for In the Heart of the Sea question: The psychology of survival (are some of us predisposed? Is there a personality type that is more likely to? You might say living is something we are obligated to do. A gift we are given by our parents, a blessing in which we need to be grateful for. Well, not everything in life is easy to say the least. People in our world fight day by day to survive. You don t realize, but it is extremely easy to giveRead MoreReview Of Macbeth And The Heart Of The Sea 1149 Words   |  5 PagesAll novels, books or articles have what is called a Kairos, most readers do not try to discover the kairos of a book while others do. In this essay I will be uncovering the Kairos of three Books: Sailors to the End, MacBeth, and In the Heart of the Sea. The KAiros of book is the main turning point where the mood changes, or where the plot changes. Sailors to the End is a Book representing true heroic valor, it takes place on the U.S.S Forrestal when a fire consumes the ship claiming 134 sailorsRead MoreThe Heart Of The Sea By Nathaniel Philbrick951 Words   |  4 Pagespositions on their crew ships. Also, they experienced segregation on ships and were treated not equally. Finally, they were taken for their cheap and hard labor in a dangerous, unrewarding industry. Using internet sources and the novel, In The Heart of The Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrick, African Americans in the whaling industry had low status within crews and faced harsh working conditions as well as discrimination and racism. African Americans in the whaling industry did not receive high positions onRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Heart Of The Sea 905 Words   |  4 PagesDecember is usually a time of celebration where most people enjoy the holidays loved ones. Unlike every other year, this season will include a blockbuster film that is loosely based off the classic tale, Moby Dick. However, the trailers for In the Heart of the Sea, directed by Ron Howard, are based of a book version with the same title. The abstract idea of this movie sounds phenomenal, but the when it comes to the teaser trailer that is supposed to be about a giant whale, it did not seem to make a splashRead MoreThe Heart Of The Sea By Nathaniel Philbrick1532 Words   |  7 PagesIn the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, the crew on the Essex was pushed past their limits. The crew’s racism, prejudices, and tolerances effected the journey on the Essex. The crew on the Essex grew together, but sadly throughout the jou rney many did not make it and the others were forced to do unspeakable things just to try and survive the journey. From the beginning of the journey the Essex crew was grouped off. The crew was grouped off by social standing: Nantucketers, Non-NantuketersRead MoreThe Heart Of The Sea, Sailors To The End, And Macbeth1287 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout these three books In the Heart of the Sea, Sailors to the End, and Macbeth many turning points occur that are reversible. While many points are reversible, there are also turning points that are irreversible. The points of no return throughout these three novels are just defined as Chase’s decision not to kill the whale, Captain Beling’s acceptance of the faulty ordinance to be taken aboard the vessel, and Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan. In the first two novels, Chase and Captain Beling

Martin Luther Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail Essay

Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail In his essay Letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. disproves the assumptions of people that believe racism is acceptable when he compares the maltreatment of blacks to the inhumane treatment of the Jews by Hitler. King establishes a relationship with his audience by connecting on a level that is larger than the exploitation of African Americans rights. He forces his readers to think about the execution of millions of Jews that was ordered by Hitler. He makes it logically apparent in his letter that just because segregation is a law, it does not mean that it is just. These strong words by King help establish a common ground between†¦show more content†¦King compels his readers to make the connection between the two events by associating Hitler with the people that are segregating America. He also states how he would fight for any injustice by saying Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish B rothers (223). By making these strong statements he forces his audience to think logically about the treatment of African Americans during the civil rights movement, regardless of which cause they supported. Furthermore, King connects with his audience when he criticizes the unjust segregation laws. When accused of having a desire to break laws, King immediately disproves that theory by agreeing with their concern, and then discusses the difference between just and unjust laws. He quotes St. Thomas Aquinas faultlessly when he states his thoughts on law: Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality (222). He continues to say that a person has a moral responsibility (221) to refuse to comply with unjust laws, as well as having an obligation to obey just laws. His statement forces his readers to put themselves in his shoes and think of their moral responsibility to stand up against unjust laws regardless ofShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail839 Words   |  4 Pages1960’s one of the most well- kn own civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and was placed into a jail in Birmingham Alabama for eleven days (Westbrook 1). Martin Luther King did not commit a crime that was in violation of any law in the U.S Constitution. King was arrested for taking a direct action for the Black community that was harassed and judged every day for there color of their skin. In King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail on the 16th of April 1963 he illuminates the daily brutalityRead MoreMartin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1340 Words   |  6 PagesOn April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter from Birmingham Jail after he had been arrested for nonviolent protests. In this letter he addressed a few of his fellow clergymen who had commented on King’s work in Birmingham and how they perceived it to be â€Å"unwise and untimely.† He told them that he had, in fact, been issued an invitation to help the people of Birmingham and that he was â€Å"co mpelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond [his] hometown.† King assured the clergymen that heRead MoreRev. Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail950 Words   |  4 Pages15 November 2017 â€Å"No, baby, no, you may not go, for the dogs are fierce and wild, and clubs and hoses, guns and jails, aren’t good for a little child.† (Allusion - referring to another work to apply symbolic meaning). This quote from â€Å"Ballad of Birmingham† illustrates the horror and cruelty of how African Americans were treated at that time, as no place was safe or free from racism; there was no limits to the violence that came with it. The 1950’s and 1960’s was an era where the Civil RightsRead MoreSummary Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1159 Words   |  5 Pages Martin Luther King lived in a time where Negro people were faced with a multitude of social injustices. King was actively participating in passive protests opposing the laws which upheld these injustices. In his â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail† King replies to the criticism of eight clergymen, who called him and his companions extremists and law breakers (King 18 7). In his letter of response, King both shows his disappointment with these men, as well as plead with them to see his side. King wantsRead MoreEssay on Martin Luther Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail1176 Words   |  5 Pagestechniques were used to gain the civil rights for the black people in a series of which came the â€Å"Letter form Birmingham jail† written by Martin Luther King himself. Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail was a profound and persuasive written argument which captured the emotions of many people encompassing rigid life experiences, educated observances, and deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. In this letter King freely expressed his position concerning the injustice that black people faced in America. Read MoreReaction Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From A Birmingham Jail1061 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail† Reaction â€Å"We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.† In 1963, Martian Luther King Jr was protesting for blacks to have equal rights in Birmingham, Al. The city administration found out about these protests and ordered the police to arrest them. Now in jail was confronted by a court and ordered not to protest in Birmingham. In response King wrote what is now known as the â€Å"LetterRead MoreAntigone And Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail831 Words   |  4 Pages54 years ago, and even during the BC ages was it a problem. Dr King’s letter explains how he knew he broke the law by blocking a road, but did it due to the racism and injustices that were happening. In Antigone, she buries her brother even though he was not meant to, and due to she is a female and that she broke the law that was unjust her consequence is to die. Sophocles’ Antigone and Martin Luther Kingâ⠂¬â„¢s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† explore a common theme that law sometimes conflicts with justiceRead MoreAnalysis of Martin Luther Kings â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†973 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther King Jr, an civil rights activist, fought for the rights of African Americans in 1963. King organized various non-violent demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama that resulted in his arrest. While in jail, King received a letter from eight Alabama clergyman explaining their distress and opposition to King and his followers actions. This letter occasioned his reply and caused King to write a persuasive letter justifying his actions and presence in Birmingham. Although King’s reply wasRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail925 Words   |  4 PagesIn April of 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. found himself in a small cell in Birmingham Alabama, arrested for his participation in the peaceful protest of discrimination agains t African-Americans. King firmly believed that non-violent protest, in the form of sit-ins, boycotts, and picketing, would raise awareness of the prejudices African-Americans suffered and, in turn, lead to progress in gaining equal rights between the races. His â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† which he wrote during his incarcerationRead MoreMartin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1707 Words   |  7 PagesThrough the span of Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963) Martin Luther King Jr., makes stretched out implications to various logicians, among them Aquinas and Socrates. His correlation would appear to show that he imparts a liking to them. In any case, the clearness with which he makes his contentions and the commitment to a solitary start strikes most firmly of Kant. Similarly, as Kant s artful culmination, Critique of Pure Reason, endeavored to totally overturn a formerly acknowledged method of

The Lost Symbol Chapter 79-82 Free Essays

CHAPTER 79 Eight miles due north of Alexandria, Virginia, Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon strode calmly across a wide expanse of frost-covered lawn. â€Å"You should be an actress,† Langdon said, still impressed by Katherine’s quick thinking and improvisational skills. â€Å"You weren’t half bad yourself. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 79-82 or any similar topic only for you Order Now † She gave him a smile. At first, Langdon had been mystified by Katherine’s abrupt antics in the taxi. Without warning, she had suddenly demanded they go to Freedom Plaza based on some revelation about a Jewish star and the Great Seal of the United States. She drew a well-known conspiracy-theory image on a dollar bill and then insisted Langdon look closely where she was pointing. Finally, Langdon realized that Katherine was pointing not at the dollar bill but at a tiny indicator bulb on the back of the driver’s seat. The bulb was so covered with grime that he had not even noticed it. As he leaned forward, however, he could see that the bulb was illuminated, emitting a dull red glow. He could also see the two faint words directly beneath the lit bulb. –INTERCOM ON– Startled, Langdon glanced back at Katherine, whose frantic eyes were urging him to look into the front seat. He obeyed, stealing a discreet glance through the divider. The cabby’s cell phone was on the dash, wide open, illuminated, facing the intercom speaker. An instant later, Langdon understood Katherine’s actions. They know we’re in this cab . . . they’ve been listening to us. Langdon had no idea how much time he and Katherine had until their taxi was stopped and surrounded, but he knew they had to act fast. Instantly, he’d begun playing along, realizing that Katherine’s desire to go to Freedom Plaza had nothing to do with the pyramid but rather with its being a large subway station–Metro Center–from which they could take the Red, Blue, or Orange lines in any of six different directions. They jumped out of the taxi at Freedom Plaza, and Langdon took over, doing some improvising of his own, leaving a trail to the Masonic Memorial in Alexandria before he and Katherine ran down into the subway station, dashing past the Blue Line platforms and continuing on to the Red Line, where they caught a train in the opposite direction. Traveling six stops northbound to Tenleytown, they emerged all alone into a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Their destination, the tallest structure for miles, was immediately visible on the horizon, just off Massachusetts Avenue on a vast expanse of manicured lawn. Now â€Å"off the grid,† as Katherine called it, the two of them walked across the damp grass. On their right was a medieval-style garden, famous for its ancient rosebushes and Shadow House gazebo. They moved past the garden, directly toward the magnificent building to which they had been summoned. A refuge containing ten stones from Mount Sinai, one from heaven itself, and one with the visage of Luke’s dark father. â€Å"I’ve never been here at night,† Katherine said, gazing up at the brightly lit towers. â€Å"It’s spectacular.† Langdon agreed, having forgotten how impressive this place truly was. This neo-Gothic masterpiece stood at the north end of Embassy Row. He hadn’t been here for years, not since writing a piece about it for a kids’ magazine in hopes of generating some excitement among young Americans to come see this amazing landmark. His article–â€Å"Moses, Moon Rocks, and Star Wars†Ã¢â‚¬â€œhad been part of the tourist literature for years. Washington National Cathedral, Langdon thought, feeling an unexpected anticipation at being back after all these years. Where better to ask about One True God? â€Å"This cathedral really has ten stones from Mount Sinai?† Katherine asked, gazing up at the twin bell towers. Langdon nodded. â€Å"Near the main altar. They symbolize the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai.† â€Å"And there’s a lunar rock?† A rock from heaven itself. â€Å"Yes. One of the stained-glass windows is called the Space Window and has a fragment of moon rock embedded in it.† â€Å"Okay, but you can’t be serious about the last thing.† Katherine glanced over, her pretty eyes flashing skepticism. â€Å"A statue of . . . Darth Vader?† Langdon chuckled. â€Å"Luke Skywalker’s dark father? Absolutely. Vader is one of the National Cathedral’s most popular grotesques.† He pointed high into the west towers. â€Å"Tough to see him at night, but he’s there.† â€Å"What in the world is Darth Vader doing on Washington National Cathedral?† â€Å"A contest for kids to carve a gargoyle that depicted the face of evil. Darth won.† They reached the grand staircase to the main entrance, which was set back in an eighty-foot archway beneath a breathtaking rose window. As they began climbing, Langdon’s mind shifted to the mysterious stranger who had called him. No names, please . . . Tell me, have you successfully protected the map that was entrusted to you? Langdon’s shoulder ached from carrying the heavy stone pyramid, and he was looking forward to setting it down. Sanctuary and answers. As they approached the top of the stairs, they were met with an imposing pair of wooden doors. â€Å"Do we just knock?† Katherine asked. Langdon had been wondering the same thing, except that now one of the doors was creaking open. â€Å"Who’s there?† a frail voice said. The face of a withered old man appeared in the doorway. He wore priest’s robes and a blank stare. His eyes were opaque and white, clouded with cataracts. â€Å"My name is Robert Langdon,† he replied. â€Å"Katherine Solomon and I are seeking sanctuary.† The blind man exhaled in relief. â€Å"Thank God. I’ve been expecting you.† CHAPTER 80 Warren Bellamy felt a sudden ray of hope. Inside the Jungle, Director Sato had just received a phone call from a field agent and had immediately flown into a tirade. â€Å"Well, you damn well better find them!† she shouted into her phone. â€Å"We’re running out of time!† She had hung up and was now stalking back and forth in front of Bellamy as if trying to decide what to do next. Finally, she stopped directly in front of him and turned. â€Å"Mr. Bellamy, I’m going to ask you this once, and only once.† She stared deep into his eyes. â€Å"Yes or no–do you have any idea where Robert Langdon might have gone?† Bellamy had more than a good idea, but he shook his head. â€Å"No.† Sato’s piercing gaze had never left his eyes. â€Å"Unfortunately, part of my job is to know when people are lying.† Bellamy averted his eyes. â€Å"Sorry, I can’t help you.† â€Å"Architect Bellamy,† Sato said, â€Å"tonight just after seven P.M., you were having dinner in a restaurant outside the city when you received a phone call from a man who told you he had kidnapped Peter Solomon.† Bellamy felt an instant chill and returned his eyes to hers. How could you possibly know that?! â€Å"The man,† Sato continued, â€Å"told you that he had sent Robert Langdon to the Capitol Building and given Langdon a task to complete . . . a task that required your help. He warned that if Langdon failed in this task, your friend Peter Solomon would die. Panicked, you called all of Peter’s numbers but failed to reach him. Understandably, you then raced to the Capitol.† Bellamy could not imagine how Sato knew about this phone call. â€Å"As you fled the Capitol,† Sato said behind the smoldering tip of her cigarette, â€Å"you sent a text message to Solomon’s kidnapper, assuring him that you and Langdon had been successful in obtaining the Masonic Pyramid.† Where is she getting her information? Bellamy wondered. Not even Langdon knows I sent that text message. Immediately after entering the tunnel to the Library of Congress, Bellamy had stepped into the electrical room to plug in the construction lighting. In the privacy of that moment, he had decided to send a quick text message to Solomon’s captor, telling him about Sato’s involvement, but reassuring him that he– Bellamy–and Langdon had obtained the Masonic Pyramid and would indeed cooperate with his demands. It was a lie, of course, but Bellamy hoped the reassurance might buy time, both for Peter Solomon and also to hide the pyramid. â€Å"Who told you I sent a text?† Bellamy demanded. Sato tossed Bellamy’s cell phone on the bench next to him. â€Å"Hardly rocket science.† Bellamy now remembered his phone and keys had been taken from him by the agents who captured him. â€Å"As for the rest of my inside information,† Sato said, â€Å"the Patriot Act gives me the right to place a wiretap on the phone of anyone I consider a viable threat to national security. I consider Peter Solomon to be such a threat, and last night I took action.† Bellamy could barely get his mind around what she was telling him. â€Å"You’re tapping Peter Solomon’s phone?† â€Å"Yes. This is how I knew the kidnapper called you at the restaurant. You called Peter’s cell phone and left an anxious message explaining what had just happened.† Bellamy realized she was right. â€Å"We had also intercepted a call from Robert Langdon, who was in the Capitol Building, deeply confused to learn he had been tricked into coming there. I went to the Capitol at once, arriving before you because I was closer. As for how I knew to check the X-ray of Langdon’s bag . . . in light of my realization that Langdon was involved in all of this, I had my staff reexamine a seemingly innocuous early-morning call between Langdon and Peter Solomon’s cell phone, in which the kidnapper, posing as Solomon’s assistant, persuaded Langdon to come for a lecture and also to bring a small package that Peter had entrusted to him. When Langdon was not forthcoming with me about the package he was carrying, I requested the X-ray of his bag.† Bellamy could barely think. Admittedly, everything Sato was saying was feasible, and yet something was not adding up. â€Å"But . . . how could you possibly think Peter Solomon is a threat to national security?† â€Å"Believe me, Peter Solomon is a serious national-security threat,† she snapped. â€Å"And frankly, Mr. Bellamy, so are you.† Bellamy sat bolt upright, the handcuffs chafing against his wrists. â€Å"I beg your pardon?!† She forced a smile. â€Å"You Masons play a risky game. You keep a very, very dangerous secret.† Is she talking about the Ancient Mysteries? â€Å"Thankfully, you’ve always done a good job of keeping your secrets hidden. Unfortunately, recently you’ve been careless, and tonight, your most dangerous secret is about to be unveiled to the world. And unless we can stop that from happening, I assure you the results will be catastrophic.† Bellamy stared in bewilderment. â€Å"If you had not attacked me,† Sato said, â€Å"you would have realized that you and I are on the same team.† The same team. The words sparked in Bellamy an idea that seemed almost impossible to fathom. Is Sato a member of Eastern Star? The Order of the Eastern Star–often considered a sister organization to the Masons–embraced a similar mystical philosophy of benevolence, secret wisdom, and spiritual open-mindedness. The same team? I’m in handcuffs! She’s tapping Peter’s phone! â€Å"You will help me stop this man,† Sato said. â€Å"He has the potential to bring about a cataclysm from which this country might not recover.† Her face was like stone. â€Å"Then why aren’t you tracking him?† Sato looked incredulous. â€Å"Do you think I’m not trying? My trace on Solomon’s cell phone went dead before we got a location. His other number appears to be a disposable phone–which is almost impossible to track. The private-jet company told us that Langdon’s flight was booked by Solomon’s assistant, on Solomon’s cell phone, with Solomon’s Marquis Jet card. There is no trail. Not that it matters anyway. Even if we find out exactly where he is, I can’t possibly risk moving in and trying to grab him.† â€Å"Why not?!† â€Å"I’d prefer not to share that, as the information is classified,† Sato said, patience clearly waning. â€Å"I am asking you to trust me on this.† â€Å"Well, I don’t!† Sato’s eyes were like ice. She turned suddenly and shouted across the Jungle. â€Å"Agent Hartmann! The briefcase, please.† Bellamy heard the hiss of the electronic door, and an agent strode into the Jungle. He was carrying a sleek titanium briefcase, which he set on the ground beside the OS director. â€Å"Leave us,† Sato said. As the agent departed, the door hissed again, and then everything fell silent. Sato picked up the metal case, laid it across her lap, and popped the clasps. Then she raised her eyes slowly to Bellamy. â€Å"I did not want to do this, but our time is running out, and you’ve left me no choice.† Bellamy eyed the strange briefcase and felt a swell of fear. Is she going to torture me? He strained at his cuffs again. â€Å"What’s in that case?!† Sato smiled grimly. â€Å"Something that will persuade you to see things my way. I guarantee it.† CHAPTER 81 The subterranean space in which Mal’akh performed the Art was ingeniously hidden. His home’s basement, to those who entered, appeared quite normal–a typical cellar with boiler, fuse box, woodpile, and a hodgepodge of storage. This visible cellar, however, was only a portion of Mal’akh’s underground space. A sizable area had been walled off for his clandestine practices. Mal’akh’s private work space was a suite of small rooms, each with a specialized purpose. The area’s sole entrance was a steep ramp secretly accessible through his living room, making the area’s discovery virtually impossible. Tonight, as Mal’akh descended the ramp, the tattooed sigils and signs on his flesh seemed to come alive in the cerulean glow of his basement’s specialized lighting. Moving into the bluish haze, he walked past several closed doors and headed directly for the largest room at the end of the corridor. The â€Å"sanctum sanctorum,† as Mal’akh liked to call it, was a perfect twelve-foot square. Twelve are the signs of the zodiac. Twelve are the hours of the day. Twelve are the gates of heaven. In the center of the chamber was a stone table, a seven-by-seven square. Seven are the seals of Revelation. Seven are the steps of the Temple. Centered over the table hung a carefully calibrated light source that cycled through a spectrum of preordained colors, completing its cycle every six hours in accordance with the sacred Table of Planetary Hours. The hour of Yanor is blue. The hour of Nasnia is red. The hour of Salam is white. Now was the hour of Caerra, meaning the light in the room had modulated to a soft purplish hue. Wearing only a silken loincloth wrapped around his buttocks and neutered sex organ, Mal’akh began his preparations. He carefully combined the suffumigation chemicals that he would later ignite to sanctify the air. Then he folded the virgin silk robe that he would eventually don in place of his loincloth. And finally, he purified a flask of water for the anointing of his offering. When he was done, he placed all of these prepared ingredients on a side table. Next he went to a shelf and retrieved a small ivory box, which he carried to the side table and placed with the other items. Although he was not yet ready to use it, he could not resist opening the lid and admiring this treasure. The knife. Inside the ivory box, nestled in a cradle of black velvet, shone the sacrificial knife that Mal’akh had been saving for tonight. He had purchased it for $1.6 million on the Middle Eastern antiquities black market last year. The most famous knife in history. Unimaginably old and believed lost, this precious blade was made of iron, attached to a bone handle. Over the ages, it had been in the possession of countless powerful individuals. In recent decades, however, it had disappeared, languishing in a secret private collection. Mal’akh had gone to enormous lengths to obtain it. The knife, he suspected, had not drawn blood for decades . . . possibly centuries. Tonight, this blade would again taste the power of the sacrifice for which it was honed. Mal’akh gently lifted the knife from its cushioned compartment and reverently polished the blade with a silk cloth soaked in purified water. His skills had progressed greatly since his first rudimentary experiments in New York. The dark Art that Mal’akh practiced had been known by many names in many languages, but by any name, it was a precise science. This primeval technology had once held the key to the portals of power, but it had been banished long ago, relegated to the shadows of occultism and magic. Those few who still practiced this Art were considered madmen, but Mal’akh knew better. This is not work for those with dull faculties. The ancient dark Art, like modern science, was a discipline involving precise formulas, specific ingredients, and meticulous timing. This Art was not the impotent black magic of today, often practiced halfheartedly by curious souls. This Art, like nuclear physics, had the potential to unleash enormous power. The warnings were dire: The unskilled practitioner runs the risk of being struck by a reflux current and destroyed. Mal’akh finished admiring the sacred blade and turned his attention to a lone sheet of thick vellum lying on the table before him. He had made this vellum himself from the skin of a baby lamb. As was the protocol, the lamb was pure, having not yet reached sexual maturity. Beside the vellum was a quill pen he had made from the feather of a crow, a silver saucer, and three glimmering candles arranged around a solid-brass bowl. The bowl contained one inch of thick crimson liquid. The liquid was Peter Solomon’s blood. Blood is the tincture of eternity. Mal’akh picked up the quill pen, placed his left hand on the vellum, and dipping the quill tip in the blood, he carefully traced the outline of his open palm. When he was done, he added the five symbols of the Ancient Mysteries, one on each fingertip of the drawing. The crown . . . to represent the king I shall become. The star . . . to represent the heavens which have ordained my destiny. The sun . . . to represent the illumination of my soul. The lantern . . . to represent the feeble light of human understanding. And the key . . . to represent the missing piece, that which tonight I shall at last possess. Mal’akh completed his blood tracing and held up the vellum, admiring his work in the light of the three candles. He waited until the blood was dry and then folded the thick vellum three times. While chanting an ethereal ancient incantation, Mal’akh touched the vellum to the third candle, and it burst into flames. He set the flaming vellum on the silver saucer and let it burn. As it did, the carbon in the animal skin dissolved to a powdery black char. When the flame went out, Mal’akh carefully tapped the ashes into the brass bowl of blood. Then he stirred the mixture with the crow’s feather. The liquid turned a deeper crimson, nearly black. Holding the bowl in both palms, Mal’akh raised it over his head and gave thanks, intoning the blood eukharistos of the ancients. Then he carefully poured the blackened mixture into a glass vial and corked it. This would be the ink with which Mal’akh would inscribe the untattooed flesh atop his head and complete his masterpiece. CHAPTER 82 Washington National Cathedral is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and soars higher than a thirty-story skyscraper. Embellished with over two hundred stained-glass windows, a fifty- three-bell carillon, and a 10,647-pipe organ, this Gothic masterpiece can accommodate more than three thousand worshippers. Tonight, however, the great cathedral was deserted. Reverend Colin Galloway–dean of the cathedral–looked like he had been alive forever. Stooped and withered, he wore a simple black cassock and shuffled blindly ahead without a word. Langdon and Katherine followed in silence through the darkness of the four-hundred-foot- long nave’s central aisle, which was curved ever so slightly to the left to create a softening optical illusion. When they reached the Great Crossing, the dean guided them through the rood screen–the symbolic divider between the public area and the sanctuary beyond. The scent of frankincense hung in the air of the chancel. This sacred space was dark, illuminated only by indirect reflections in the foliated vaults overhead. Flags of the fifty states hung above the quire, which was ornately appointed with several carved reredos depicting biblical events. Dean Galloway continued on, apparently knowing this walk by heart. For a moment, Langdon thought they were headed straight for the high altar, where the ten stones from Mount Sinai were embedded, but the old dean finally turned left and groped his way through a discreetly hidden door that led into an administrative annex. They moved down a short hallway to an office door bearing a brass nameplate: THE REVEREND DR. COLIN GALLOWAY CATHEDRAL DEAN Galloway opened the door and turned on the lights, apparently accustomed to remembering this courtesy for his guests. He ushered them in and closed the door. The dean’s office was small but elegant, with high bookshelves, a desk, a carved armoire, and a private bathroom. On the walls hung sixteenth-century tapestries and several religious paintings. The old dean motioned to the two leather chairs directly opposite his desk. Langdon sat with Katherine and felt grateful finally to set his heavy shoulder bag on the floor at his feet. Sanctuary and answers, Langdon thought, settling into the comfortable chair. The aged man shuffled around behind his desk and eased himself down into his high-backed chair. Then, with a weary sigh, he raised his head, staring blankly out at them through clouded eyes. When he spoke, his voice was unexpectedly clear and strong. â€Å"I realize we have never met,† the old man said, â€Å"and yet I feel I know you both.† He took out a handkerchief and dabbed his mouth. â€Å"Professor Langdon, I am familiar with your writings, including the clever piece you did on the symbolism of this cathedral. And, Ms. Solomon, your brother, Peter, and I have been Masonic brothers for many years now.† â€Å"Peter is in terrible trouble,† Katherine said. â€Å"So I have been told.† The old man sighed. â€Å"And I will do everything in my power to help you.† Langdon saw no Masonic ring on the dean’s finger, and yet he knew many Masons, especially those within the clergy, chose not to advertise their affiliation. As they began to talk, it became clear that Dean Galloway already knew some of the night’s events from Warren Bellamy’s phone message. As Langdon and Katherine filled him in on the rest, the dean looked more and more troubled. â€Å"And this man who has taken our beloved Peter,† the dean said, â€Å"he is insisting you decipher the pyramid in exchange for Peter’s life?† â€Å"Yes,† Langdon said. â€Å"He thinks it’s a map that will lead him to the hiding place of the Ancient Mysteries.† The dean turned his eerie, opaque eyes toward Langdon. â€Å"My ears tell me you do not believe in such things.† Langdon did not want to waste time going down this road. â€Å"It doesn’t matter what I believe. We need to help Peter. Unfortunately, when we deciphered the pyramid, it pointed nowhere.† The old man sat straighter. â€Å"You’ve deciphered the pyramid?† Katherine interceded now, quickly explaining that despite Bellamy’s warnings and her brother’s request that Langdon not unwrap the package, she had done so, feeling her first priority was to help her brother however she could. She told the dean about the golden capstone, Albrecht Durer’s magic square, and how it decrypted the sixteen-letter Masonic cipher into the phrase Jeova Sanctus Unus. â€Å"That’s all it says?† the dean asked. â€Å"One True God?† â€Å"Yes, sir,† Langdon replied. â€Å"Apparently the pyramid is more of a metaphorical map than a geographic one.† The dean held out his hands. â€Å"Let me feel it.† Langdon unzipped his bag and pulled out the pyramid, which he carefully hoisted up on the desk, setting it directly in front of the reverend. Langdon and Katherine watched as the old man’s frail hands examined every inch of the stone– the engraved side, the smooth base, and the truncated top. When he was finished, he held out his hands again. â€Å"And the capstone?† Langdon retrieved the small stone box, set it on the desk, and opened the lid. Then he removed the capstone and placed it into the old man’s waiting hands. The dean performed a similar examination, feeling every inch, pausing on the capstone’s engraving, apparently having some trouble reading the small, elegantly inscribed text. â€Å"`The secret hides within The Order,'† Langdon offered. â€Å"And the words the and order are capitalized.† The old man’s face was expressionless as he positioned the capstone on top of the pyramid and aligned it by sense of touch. He seemed to pause a moment, as if in prayer, and reverently ran his palms over the complete pyramid several times. Then he reached out and located the cube- shaped box, taking it in his hands, feeling it carefully, his fingers probing inside and out. When he was done, he set down the box and leaned back in his chair. â€Å"So tell me,† he demanded, his voice suddenly stern. â€Å"Why have you come to me?† The question took Langdon off guard. â€Å"We came, sir, because you told us to. And Mr. Bellamy said we should trust you.† â€Å"And yet you did not trust him?† â€Å"I’m sorry?† The dean’s white eyes stared directly through Langdon. â€Å"The package containing the capstone was sealed. Mr. Bellamy told you not to open it, and yet you did. In addition, Peter Solomon himself told you not to open it. And yet you did.† â€Å"Sir,† Katherine intervened, â€Å"we were trying to help my brother. The man who has him demanded we decipher–â€Å" â€Å"I can appreciate that,† the dean declared, â€Å"and yet what have you achieved by opening the package? Nothing. Peter’s captor is looking for a location, and he will not be satisfied with the answer of Jeova Sanctus Unus.† â€Å"I agree,† Langdon said, â€Å"but unfortunately that’s all the pyramid says. As I mentioned, the map seems to be more figurative than–â€Å" â€Å"You’re mistaken, Professor,† the dean said. â€Å"The Masonic Pyramid is a real map. It points to a real location. You do not understand that, because you have not yet deciphered the pyramid fully. Not even close.† Langdon and Katherine exchanged startled looks. The dean laid his hands back on the pyramid, almost caressing it. â€Å"This map, like the Ancient Mysteries themselves, has many layers of meaning. Its true secret remains veiled from you.† â€Å"Dean Galloway,† Langdon said, â€Å"we’ve been over every inch of the pyramid and capstone, and there’s nothing else to see.† â€Å"Not in its current state, no. But objects change.† â€Å"Sir?† â€Å"Professor, as you know, the promise of this pyramid is one of miraculous transformative power. Legend holds that this pyramid can change its shape . . . alter its physical form to reveal its secrets. Like the famed stone that released Excalibur into the hands of King Arthur, the Masonic Pyramid can transform itself if it so chooses . . . and reveal its secret to the worthy.† Langdon now sensed that the old man’s advanced years had perhaps robbed him of his faculties. â€Å"I’m sorry, sir. Are you saying this pyramid can undergo a literal physical transformation?† â€Å"Professor, if I were to reach out with my hand and transform this pyramid right before your eyes, would you believe what you had witnessed?† Langdon had no idea how to respond. â€Å"I suppose I would have no choice.† â€Å"Very well, then. In a moment, I shall do exactly that.† He dabbed his mouth again. â€Å"Let me remind you that there was an era when even the brightest minds perceived the earth as flat. For if the earth were round, then surely the oceans would spill off. Imagine how they would have mocked you if you proclaimed, `Not only is the world a sphere, but there is an invisible, mystical force that holds everything to its surface’!† â€Å"There’s a difference,† Langdon said, â€Å"between the existence of gravity . . . and the ability to transform objects with a touch of your hand.† â€Å"Is there? Is it not possible that we are still living in the Dark Ages, still mocking the suggestion of `mystical’ forces that we cannot see or comprehend. History, if it has taught us anything at all, has taught us that the strange ideas we deride today will one day be our celebrated truths. I claim I can transform this pyramid with a touch of my finger, and you question my sanity. I would expect more from an historian. History is replete with great minds who have all proclaimed the same thing . . . great minds who have all insisted that man possesses mystical abilities of which he is unaware.† Langdon knew the dean was correct. The famous Hermetic aphorism–Know ye not that ye are gods?–was one of the pillars of the Ancient Mysteries. As above, so below . . . Man created in God’s image . . . Apotheosis. This persistent message of man’s own divinity–of his hidden potential–was the recurring theme in the ancient texts of countless traditions. Even the Holy Bible cried out in Psalms 82:6: Ye are gods! â€Å"Professor,† the old man said, â€Å"I realize that you, like many educated people, live trapped between worlds–one foot in the spiritual, one foot in the physical. Your heart yearns to believe . . . but your intellect refuses to permit it. As an academic, you would be wise to learn from the great minds of history.† He paused and cleared his throat. â€Å"If I’m remembering correctly, one of the greatest minds ever to live proclaimed: `That which is impenetrable to us really exists. Behind the secrets of nature remains something subtle, intangible, and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion.’ â€Å" â€Å"Who said that?† Langdon said. â€Å"Gandhi?† â€Å"No,† Katherine interjected. â€Å"Albert Einstein.† Katherine Solomon had read every word Einstein had ever written and was struck by his profound respect for the mystical, as well as his predictions that the masses would one day feel the same. The religion of the future, Einstein had predicted, will be a cosmic religion. It will transcend personal God and avoid dogma and theology. Robert Langdon appeared to be struggling with the idea. Katherine could sense his rising frustration with the old Episcopal priest, and she understood. After all, they had traveled here for answers, and they had found instead a blind man who claimed he could transform objects with a touch of his hands. Even so, the old man’s overt passion for mystical forces reminded Katherine of her brother. â€Å"Father Galloway,† Katherine said, â€Å"Peter is in trouble. The CIA is chasing us. And Warren Bellamy sent us to you for help. I don’t know what this pyramid says or where it points, but if deciphering it means that we can help Peter, we need to do that. Mr. Bellamy may have preferred to sacrifice my brother’s life to hide this pyramid, but my family has experienced nothing but pain because of it. Whatever secret it may hold, it ends tonight.† â€Å"You are correct,† the old man replied, his tone dire. â€Å"It will all end tonight. You’ve guaranteed that.† He sighed. â€Å"Ms. Solomon, when you broke the seal on that box, you set in motion a series of events from which there will be no return. There are forces at work tonight that you do not yet comprehend. There is no turning back.† Katherine stared dumbfounded at the reverend. There was something apocalyptic about his tone, as if he were referring to the Seven Seals of Revelation or Pandora’s box. â€Å"Respectfully, sir,† Langdon interceded, â€Å"I can’t imagine how a stone pyramid could set in motion anything at all.† â€Å"Of course you can’t, Professor.† The old man stared blindly through him. â€Å"You do not yet have eyes to see.† How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 79-82, Essay examples

The Interaction in Cultures and Civilizations

Introduction The globalization and decentralization of territories resulted in interactions between different societies in the world. Some of the major interactions recorded in history include the first and the second world wars, the cold war, the colonization of countries and the fight for independence among others.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Consequences of Interaction in Cultures and Civilizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These interactions are often characterized by exchanges in cultures and civilizations among the parties that interact. This paper seeks to discuss some of the exchanges that took place during some interactions. The paper will look at the consequences of these interactions. The conquest of Aztecs Aztecs were natives of the current Mexico. With its capital in Tenochtitlan, the Aztec was a well established empire that had conquered territories. The interaction between the Aztec and the Spaniards began as a missionary activity by the Spaniards to convert the Aztecs into Christianity. The Christian mission however did not bear much fruit due to language barrier. The Spaniards would shout to the Aztecs in the name of preaching, inconsiderate of the fact that the Aztecs never understood the Spanish language. Failure to repent on their knees led to the murder or slavery of the Aztecs (Tangen 1). The turn of events however started with the arrival of Hernando Cortes who established a Spanish colony in Mexico. Cortes challenged the Aztec empire in the year 1519 and seized the Aztec leader, Montezuma (Library 1). The Aztecs revolted against Cortes and defeated Cortes and his troops, an event that led to loss of many lives and valuable commodities following the collapse of a bridge as the rivals passed. Cortes however survived the incident, reorganized a troop and attacked Aztec again. He conquered the territory this time round and â€Å"destroyed the city† before building another one at the very same location (Tangen 1). The effects of the war included the loss of sovereignty of the Aztecs as the second attack by Cortes led to the defeat of the natives. The first war also led to loss of lives of both Aztecs and Spaniards as pass Way Bridge collapsed with people on it. The collapse of the bridge also caused loss of treasure of the Aztecs. The arrival of the Spaniards also brought with it diseases to the natives. The diseases like â€Å"small pox and measles† which were introduced by the arrival of the Spaniards killed about seventy five percent of the Aztecs. The war also led to the destruction of the Aztec city. The natives however acquired new species of domestic animals like â€Å"horse, sheep, cattle and pig†. The Spaniards also brought sugar together with consumable crops which they introduced to the natives. The Spaniards on the other hand acquired the territory (Tangen 1).Advertising Looking for essay on histo ry? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Missionaries (Religion) Missionary work is another aspect of the world history that left its effects felt by the receiving societies. Most of the areas visited by early missionaries still feel the impacts of the activities and the initiatives of the missionaries. Oregon country is one of the societies that experienced missionary work that started in the early periods of the nineteenth century. The missionary work was then followed by a range of immigration into the land. One of the impacts of the missionaries in Oregon was the successful establishment of white settlement in the territory. It is recorded that though the missionaries failed in their core duty of converting the natives, they managed the task of settlement. The long term effect of the settlement would be the loss of land by the natives to the settlers. Another impact of the mission was the establishment of schools in the Indian Terri tory. As was the custom of the missionary establishments, schools were built to help the natives learn how to read and write as well as to entice them into the faith (History 1). Another effect of the Oregon mission was the transmission of diseases from the visitors to the natives. The diseases had an adverse effect on the Indians and claimed a lot of lives. It is recorded that in the first year of the first established mission school, fifty percent of the registered students died of the infections and the rest fled, probably after falling ill or after being scared by the infections. A large number of the natives in the area died of the diseases brought by the visitors. The failed mission to convert the Indians led to the call for traders and farmers to come to Oregon to help in spearheading the work of the missionaries. The group came and was further followed by a massive immigration into Oregon. Another impact of the missionary work was the later establishment of a formal governme nt and towns in the country. After the missioners’ call for back up, the vast immigration followed and later led to the establishment governance. It was also the missionary work that led to the colonization of Oregon. In seeking protection for the American settlers, the lead missionary whose name was Lee changed from being a missioner to colonizing the land (History 1). Conclusion Exchange between cultures and civilization occurs when different societies come into contact. The societies more often interact in one way or another and a number of things are acquired by the different societies. The interactions always have impacts on either or both of the parties. The case of the interaction between the Spaniards and the Aztecs saw both negative and positive effects on both parties. The Oregon mission also benefited the missionaries in acquiring land for their people but also established schools that later benefited the natives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Consequences of Interaction in Cultures and Civilizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Works Cited History. Jason Lee’s Mission to Oregon. Historic Oregon City, n.d. Web. https://historicoregoncity.org/ Library. Aztecs: Conquest. Library Think Quest, n.d. Web. Tangen, Turid. The conquest of the Aztecs. Web Chron, 1997. Web. http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/Americas/Cortes.CP.html This essay on The Consequences of Interaction in Cultures and Civilizations was written and submitted by user Kylie Trujillo to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.