Ryanair: Performance Objectives

Ryanair: Performance Objectives Ryanairs five performance objectives to maintain or ultimately increase Ryanairs competitiveness, it is useful to analyse its operations with the help of five performance objectives: Quality: In the long run, even the most competitive price structure will not attract customers if the quality of the service offered is below a certain standard. This includes maintenance, efficient booking and luggage handling, reliability, punctuality, and interaction with Ryanair staff. Speed: The areas where speed matters most for Ryanair are turnaround time of aircrafts, reservations, luggage handling, and aircraft maintenance, all of which have a direct impact on costs. Although Ryanair has implemented many steps to increase speed, it also depends on service providers that are not directly under its control. Dependability: This compares very favourably with competitors, where punctuality is similar, but the missed bag/passenger ratio is orders of magnitude higher. This excellent record has to do with the fact that Ryanair offers only point-to-point flights, thereby eliminating the risk of luggage mismanagement during connecting flights. Flexibility: Customers have a high degree of flexibility in choosing the level of service, since only the basic airfare is charged and any additional services must be paid for. Increasing flexibility for the customer would mean offering additional options. From Ryanairs perspective, flexibility comes with diversification of supplementary services on the one hand, and, with increasing market strength, the ability to negotiate alternatives for various service sectors, such as maintenance agreements, outsourced functions, etc. Cost: The fuel price is one of the direct costs for any airline operations. There are enormous fluctuations, and, unlike its competitors, Ryanair has committed to a policy of not imposing fuel surcharges. Therefore, the fuel price become fluctuations and Ryanair takes consider of that action. As a result, Ryanair reported its first annual loss in 2009 when oil prices were at a record high. (BBC Online News, 21 June 2009) International Competition: Ryanair is one of the most successful low cost carriers in Europe. The phenomenon strategy for long-term sustainable which Ryanair has developed from Southwest airlines is cut-cost to gain in high profitable in market share. According to Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that Ryanair has taken step further of Southwest operational, therefore, Ryanair has strongly and clearly position regarding to the airline does not offer any frills such as, no providing service, no ticket, no connection, no travel agents, no frequent flyer programme as well as food and beverages are sell on board. However, Ryanair can keep the cost low and gain more profit by setting the cheaper fares to customer regarding to increase the cash flow. In addition, according to the economic crisis and the fuel price has been increased, it effected to all airlines industry. However, it seems not really effected to Ryanair. Based on that, in 2009, Ryanair has aggressively discounted fares to increase the pressure on its com petitors and increase the cash flow. (Euromonitor International 2010) Nevertheless, Ryanair has been very tactical and acted very quickly to get advantage out of the competitors. Moreover, the competitors of Ryanair, for example, in Western Europe are mostly the schedule airlines such as, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM Group, British Airways, and Easyjet. Therefore, Easyjet is the direct competitor of Ryanair. Furthermore, the competitors in Eastern Europe are mainly budget airlines such as, Wizz Air (Hungarian airlines) as well as the schedule airlines Aeroflot (Russian airlines), LOT (Polish airlines) and, CSA (Czech airlines). In this case, Ryanair claim to increase the traffic to compete with cometitors by operate more routes. However, the competitive advantage of Ryanair that helped Ryanair to maximine growth which require the location advantage by using the secondary airports that located not far away from the city. For example, Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that at Hahn airport ne ar Frankfurt, the number of passengers increased from 450,000 in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2002, due to Ryanair serving that airport. Easyjet tend to have the same direction, however, Ryanair negotiation with secondary airports, often located in economically depressed areas, Ryanair bargained hard for low fees compare to EasyJet. On the other hand, Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that EasyJet is not entirely secondary airport based and so it does seek to attract some business customers. Based on that, Easyjet has more cost regarding to the airport fees. In addition, one of the advantages of Ryanair is rapid turnaround time than other airlines. According to (Barret 2004) stated that the shorter turnaround times permit more journeys per plane which, coupled with the higher seat density of Ryanair planes, generate lower seat mile costs. Based on that, Ryanair planes are mostly flying and it savings more cost of the airport fees in term of the landing charge. According to Ryanair report (201 0), Ryanair received award of being punctual and less in baggage lost Based on the short-haul point to point routing, hence, (Barret 2004) stated that the punctuality performance of Ryanair is high, therefore, the simple point to point is not delayed the passenger and check-in is quicker because is less complex than an interline one. According to table 1, staff of Ryanairs were non union, (Vlaar et al. 2005) stated that the consequence is flexible workforces enable low-cost airlines to fly and support each aircraft with only eighty workers, compared to the employees that required by traditional network carrier. For instant, Ryanair focus on the tight cost control measures. Pilots and cabin crew received lower salaries than other industries, however, the employees received significant variable compensation such as, the commissions on on-board sales. (ibid) Table 1. Some distinctive features of Ryanairs business model Choice Consequence Secondary airports à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low airport fees Lowest ticket price à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Large volume Low commissions to travel agents à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low cost Standardized fleet of 737s à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Bargaining power with suppliers Single-class à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Economies of scale High-powered incentives à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Attract combative team No meal à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Faster turnaround Nothing free à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Additional revenue Spartan headquatres à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low fixed cost No unions à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Flexibility in rostering staff Source: Casadesus-Masanell R, and Ricart J E, 2010 cited from Strategy to Business Models to Tactics As a result, (Vlaar et al. 2005) concluded that Ryanairs business model is a simple product, low operating cost, and differential positioning which they focused on leisure, VFS (visiting friends and relative). Based on that, the value proposition is good fit with these customer segments. More importantly, (Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart 2010) concluded that Ryanair plan of action create a unique and valuable position by engaging in a new set of activities. Based on that, Ryanair found the way to operate the company more efficiency amongst the competitors by create the value for their stakeholders. International emerging markets The Ansoff product-market expansion grid is useful for Ryanair to visualise and identify market opportunities. Therefore, Ryanair establishing a partnership with Wizz Air, it helps company penetrate non-EU markets, synergies can benefit in both party. Regarding to, the market development Ryanair striving to target in business travellers by offering them more benefits such as refundable tickets in terms of more flexible. Moreover, Ryanair consider of the product development by plan to open the new route to US for long-haul, with flight tickets starting at EUR10 according to the Open Skies Agreement between the EU and the US. Based on that, Ryanair could attract more young generation travellers who has low income but would love to experience in Hollywood place.

History of education Essay

John Gatto is a New York City seventh grade teacher with remarkable accolades. Because of his impressive accolades as a teacher and citizen, his words are not taken lightly. As a result of his spotlight, he has come up with a list of seven lessons that no syllabus will ever include, but Gatto insists that they form the core of our educational curriculum today. While he does not agree with the lessons himself, they are being taught nationwide and he insists â€Å"that schools have traded their educational function for one of social coordination†(Gatto 1). First, Mr. Gatto explains that he teaches confusion. That is, he teaches the idea of un-relating everything and making disconnections or teaching too much all at one time. He states â€Å"educators persist in the idea that it is better to leave school with a tool kit of superficial jargon derived from economics, sociology, math, sociology, and natural science, rather than one genuine enthusiasm†(Gatto 2). Rather than studying one or two genuine passions, students are trained to attempt to learn them all even if they don’t care for the subject. Next, Mr. Gatto teaches the lesson of class position. Rather than attempting to move up or down to an easier or harder class, the student must learn that they are in that class for a reason and they must like that position. Gatto explains that, â€Å"[his] job is to make students like being locked together with children who bear numbers like their own†(1). He claims that he never lies to students outright, but has come to learn that truth and teaching are incompatible. The third lesson taught is indifference. Instead of caring about anything too much, Gatto emphasizes that â€Å"nothing important is ever finished in my class†(Gatto 2). Students are taught that nothing really matters. Students in his class must drop everything they are doing once the bell rings, no matter the importance. Pupils live life on the installment plan and must learn to turn on and off like switches. The fourth and fifth lessons taught are emotional and intellectual dependency. Instead of thinking and acting on their own, students are drilled to believe that what they think and do is up to the teacher. The one in charge must first OK simple tasks like going to the bathroom or speaking in class. In addition, they learn that good people let experts tell them what to do. The sixth lesson is provisional self-esteem or the idea that people â€Å"must be told what they are worth†(2). If not, they will rebel against the system and cause utter chaos. Finally, it is taught that you cannot hide. He asserts that â€Å"students are encouraged to tattle on each other† (Gatto 3). Wherever you go there is a big brother watching you and you are never completely alone. Without it, children would learn unauthorized ways. These seven lessons are being taught to the majority of students across The United States of America. While some teachers, such as John Gatto, do acknowledge the fact that the system is flawed, the vast majority do not. Gatto argues that this national curriculum â€Å"produces physical, moral, and intellectual paralysis† (Gatto 4). Instead of instructing how to use your brain to it’s full potential and think critically, our system ensure that children will never grow up fully human. This system is certainly flawed and may seem impossible to recreate, but with enough backing and support a change can be made to restore the educational system. Works Cited Gatto, John T. â€Å"A Few Lessons They Won’t Forget.† The Sun May 1991: 1-5. Print.

Understanding the 4 Basic Types of Unemployment

If youve ever been laid off, then youve experienced one of the types of unemployment  that economists measure. These categories are used to gauge the health of an economy — be it local, national, or international — by looking at how many people are in the workforce. Economists use this data to help governments and businesses navigate economic change. Understanding Unemployment In basic economics, employment is tied to wages. If you are employed, that means youre willing to work for the prevailing wage being offered to do the job youre doing. If you are unemployed, that means you are unable or unwilling to do that same job. There are two ways of being unemployed, according to economists. Voluntary unemployment occurs when a person is jobless by choice, rather than due to a lack of employment opportunities. Quitting your job because you just won the lottery and no longer need a steady paycheck is one example of voluntary unemployment.Involuntary unemployment occurs when a person is willing and able to work for a given wage but cannot find a job. Corporate layoffs following a merger or a downturn in the economy are two examples of involuntary unemployment.   Economists are chiefly interested in involuntary unemployment because it helps them gauge the overall job market. They divide involuntary unemployment into three categories. Frictional Unemployment Frictional unemployment is the time a worker spends between jobs. Examples of this include a freelance developer whose contract has ended without another gig waiting, a recent college grad seeking his or her first job, or a mother returning to the workforce after raising a family. In each of these instances, it will take time and resources (friction) for that person to find a new job. Although frictional unemployment is generally considered short-term, it may not be that brief. This is especially true for people new to the workforce who lack recent experience or professional connections. In general, however, economists regard this kind of unemployment as a sign of a healthy jobs market as long as its low. A low frictional unemployment rate means people seeking work are having a fairly easy time finding it. Cyclical Unemployment Cyclical unemployment  occurs during downturns in the  business cycle when demand for goods and services declines and companies respond by cutting production and laying off workers. When this happens, there are more workers than there are available jobs. Unemployment is the inevitable result. Economists use this to gauge the health of an entire economy or large sectors of one. Cyclical unemployment may be short-term, lasting mere weeks for some people, or long-term. It all depends on the degree of the economic downturn and what industries are most affected.  Economists usually focus on addressing the root causes of the economic downturns, rather than correcting cyclical unemployment itself. Structural Unemployment Structural unemployment is the most serious kind of unemployment because it points to seismic changes in an economy. It occurs when a person is ready and willing to work, but cannot find employment because none is available or they lack the skills to be hired for the jobs that do exist. Oftentimes, these people may be jobless for months or years and may drop out of the workforce entirely. This kind of unemployment may be caused by automation that eliminates a job held by a person, such as when a welder on an assembly line is replaced by a robot. It may also be caused by the collapse or decline of an important industry due to globalization  as jobs are shipped overseas in pursuit of lower labor costs. In the 1960s, for example, about 98 percent of shoes sold in the U.S. were American-made. Today, that figure is closer to ten percent. Seasonal Unemployment Seasonal unemployment occurs when the demand for workers varies over the course of the year. It can be thought of as a form of structural unemployment because the skills of the seasonal employees are not needed in certain labor markets for at least some part of the year. The construction market in northern climates depends on the season in a way it doesnt in warmer climates, for example. Seasonal unemployment is viewed as less problematic than regular structural unemployment, mainly because the demand for seasonal skills hasnt gone away forever and resurfaces in a fairly predictable pattern.

Summary Of Guy De Maupassant s -the Necklace

I, Gyani Smith, certify that I have personally completed this assignment based on my own personal efforts. I understand if I use outside sources, I must properly give my source(s) credit using the APA format and my paper should not include more than 20% of direct quotes from other sources. I understand if I do not provide proper credit to outside sources, I will be documented for plagiarism and be required to resubmit a new assignment. I will not divulge the content of this assignment or any of my work, generally or specifically, to any current or future James Madison High School students. 4/16/2017 . Guy de Maupassant s, -The Necklace, is a tragic short story, that is set in 1800s Paris, France during the period of Belle Epoque†¦show more content†¦She loses the necklace at the ball like the glass slipper which would cost her an arm and a leg. She fails to find it within a week but internalizes and decides not to reveal the truth to her friend. Her sacrificial lamb , replaces it with his inheritance and the rest he borrows from friends and family. Her husband, her knight in shining armor, is so stressed that he has aged 5 years within the week . However, like the illusion that exists in France, she later finds out the truth that the necklace was no good, just a show- as all that glitters is not gold. The writer weaves the themes in and out and around outward appearances and deception along with self-sacrifice which are apt for that era. Throughout history and literature deception, materialistic and covetous behaviors have led to the downfall of many men and women. This story is no different. Both madame Forestier and Mathilde display appearances that are deceptive. Mathilde is a middle-class woman who daydreams about the grandeur of other homes and the lavish meals of the upper classes. She even covets her friend s wealth and cannot bear to see her and the costly furs the other women wrap themselves in at the ball. Mathilde thinks that beauty and charm make her deserving of such luxuries, spending her time imagining the lives of the upper classes instead of accepting her circumstances.Show MoreRelatedIrony in the Works of Kate Chopin and Guy De Maupassant1903 Words   |  8 Pagesirony as the cause of death Paragraph 5: The Necklace summary/analysis Paragraph 6: conflict and irony Paragraph 7: result of ironic twist Conclusion: Irony in Chopin and Maupassant Irony is a literary device wherein what the reader expects to occur does not and the events that transpire are wholly surprising. Authors throughout literary history have used this devise to surprise and entertain the reader. Kate Chopin and Guy de Maupassant both utilize irony in their respective short storiesRead MoreFiction in Henry James Paste2797 Words   |  12 PagesFiction in Henry James`s â€Å"Paste† Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. American Modernism 4 3. Henry James (1843-1916) 5 4. Paste 8 5. Fiction in Henry James 10 6. Paste analysis 12 6. Conclusion 14 7. Bibliography 15 1. Introduction In my term paper I will primarily discuss Henry James and his short story Paste. Firstly, I will focus on the time he wrote the story and than I will describe his life and his three major writing phrases. Next, I will go on with giving the most importantRead More Analyses of Short Stories Essay examples4756 Words   |  20 Pageskilled him? Seems to me like he was a little guilty. Source: www.poedecoder.com Ambrose Bierce, â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† takes place during the American Civil War that was fought in the 1860’s. The United States was divided over the issue of slavery. The Northern States wanted an end to come from slavery and the South wanted to keep slavery alive to ensure low labor and production costs. In the short story there was a bit of symbolism

Relationship Between Antonio And Bassanio - 1609 Words

In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, there have been two main interpretations of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. Some have speculated that the relationship between the two men is homosexual, while others believe that the relationship is purely a male friendship. This conflicting opinion is depicted through the 1973 film production directed by John Sichel and the 2004 film production directed by Michael Radford. The 1973 film portrays a male friendship, whereas the 2004 film depicts a homosexual relationship. These contrasting perceptions of Antonio and Bassanio are emphasized by the actions of other characters, as well as other factors. There are four main scenes where Antonio and Bassanio are seen together. The†¦show more content†¦Antonio joins Bassanio on the bed. As Bassanio describes Portia, the camera switches to her in a dreamlike manner, with music playing in the background. Upon hearing this news, Antonio looks down-hearted and gets up from the bed. Regardless, Antonio somewhat reluctantly gives Bassanio permission to use his credit. With a grim smile, Lorenzo kisses Antonio on the lips. Once the kiss is finished, Antonio stares at Bassanio, in despair. The opening scene of the play present a stark contrast between the films and the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. The contrast between the two films is instantly noticeable through Antonio’s deliverance of the first lines of the play: In sooth I know why I am so sad. It wearies me, you say it wearies you, But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me That I have much ado to know myself (1.1. 1-7). These lines instantly distinguish the tone of the two films, as well as the interpretations of Antonio’s character. In the 1973 film, Antonio says these lines in a jokingly manner, undisturbed by his unknown sadness. On the other hand, the Antonio in the 2004 film, relays this line in a grim and melancholy way. In accordance to the melancholy 2004 Antonio, these lines have a significant underlying meaning. Lines such as â€Å"I am to learn† gives Antonio the ability to â€Å"pass off his depression as anxiety† (Barthelemy, 134).Show MoreRelatedThe Homosexual Relationship Between Antonio and Bassanio in William Shakespeare’s the Merchant of Venice1673 Words   |  7 PagesThe Homosexual Relationship Between Antonio and Bassanio in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice Tsun-Hsien Tsai Sophomore Student, Department of English National Changhua University of Education There are many pairs of male adults with honorable masculine friendships appearing in William Shakespeare’s popular plays, such as Antonio and Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, Antonio and Sebastian in Twelfth Night, the two kings Leonates and Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale, and so on. No matterRead More Homosexuality in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1474 Words   |  6 Pagesan individuals broader identity.† (Columbia University Press). This difference between homosexuality as a â€Å"sexual act† and an â€Å"identity† proves why, during Renaissance England, this theme in Shakespeare’s play was almost invisible. The actual merchant of Venice, Antonio, displays this homosexual identity that might only be recognizable to the modern day reader. Through a close reading of a speech given by Antonio, one can begin to understand the significance of Shakespeare’s word choice and howRead MoreFriendship By William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1727 Words   |  7 Pagesdevelopment. A friend is, â€Å"A person with whom one has developed a close and informal relationship of mutual trust and intimacy; (more generally) a close acquaintance. Often with adjective indicating the closeness of the relationship, asbest, good, close, etc.†(Oxford ) Friendship is the display of trust and intimacy as well as caring for one another. Antonio and Bassanio are the best of friends. Although both Antonio and Bassanio’s characters possess different motivations for their actions, it is theirRead MoreAntonio and Bassanio1173 Words   |  5 PagesAntonio and Bassanio Antonio and Bassanio are mainly presented as a pair throughout the play. Their relationship, reaction of other characters towards them, thoughts and feeling they express are significant factors that contribute to answering the question. In the preformed version of Michael Radford Merchant of Venice there is a strong depiction of homosexuality, which is his own analysis of their relationship. This could alter the audience’s view on the play, as this theme is noticeable andRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice: Self-Interest versus Love Essay1016 Words   |  5 Pagesof self-interest versus love. On the surface, this seems to be the dividing factors between the Christians and the Jew. Shylock is portrayed to only care about money and profits, while the Christians are shown as people who value human relationships more. Examples of this theme are shown through Shylock’s behaviour, the many weddings of the Christian characters, and the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio . The Christian characters view Shylock as someone who only cares about money andRead MoreThe Three Plots of The Merchant of Venice779 Words   |  4 Pagescharacters involved in the bond plot are Antonio, Bassanio, and Shylock, although Bassanio is not as involved in this plot as Antonio and Shylock are. It is for Bassanio that Antonio takes out a loan from Shylock so that Bassanio is able to have enough money to win Portia’s hand in marriage. In the next main plot line that arises, the casket plot, Bassanio plays a much more major role as Portia’s suitor. He and Portia are the central characters of this plot. Bassanio and Portia are also two of the centralRead More`` The Merchant Of Venice `` By William Shakespeare1147 Words   |  5 Pagesof Venice, Antonio, a protagonist, gives himself over to a life-threatening contract with the villain, Shylock the Jew, in order to provide the means for one of Antonio’s friend the opportunity to woo a lady. Over the course of the play, various risky opportunities and events also expose other relationships as means of satisfying their wants, although not all their outcomes are favourable. Risk is the root cause of rewards and punishments in The Merchant of Venice. This is seen between the play’sRead MoreGender Issues In The Merchant Of Venice1359 Words   |  6 PagesThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare was an in depth play that contains many issues over race, sexuality, and gender. William Shakespeare does a great job at portraying the characters views on these issues. The conflicts between the characters are captivating. This play has constant complications that can be related to modern times. Right off the bat Shakespeare introduces the characters as having values of honorability, love, passion, and religion. The play is in some way trying to teachRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Critical Analysis Essay1001 Words   |  5 PagesThe Merchant Of Venice is structured partly on the contrast between idealistic and realistic opinions about society and relationships. The play tells us mercy is preferable to revenge. Shylock chose revenge over mercy against Antonio and how his choices affected him. The Court of Venice begging mercy of Shylock. Finally, Portia forgiving Bassanio for giving away his wedding band. Shakespeare characterised Shylock in such way that he highlights the inequalities of him, them being ungrateful, vengefulRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet918 Words   |  4 PagesIn this quote, Bassanio describes Antonio as his best friend. Though the audience witnessed how close their relationship is in Act I, the quote is another example of Bassanio directly complementing and describing Antonio, this time in order to explain why Antonio’s situation affects him significantly. Through Bassanio’s heartfelt speech, Shakespeare further delineates the close friendship between Bassanio and Antonio. Furthermore, the speech also conveys Bassanio’s respect for Antonio. Not only does

Notes †Human resource management Free Essays

Notes – Human resource management Chapter 7 Notes Human Resource Management DEFINE selection and DISCUSS Its strategic Importance. Reliability and validity and EXPLAIN their importance in selection techniques. DESCRIBE at least four types of testing used in selection and the conflicting legal concerns related to alcohol and drug testing DESCRIBE the major types of selection interviews by degree of structure, type of content, and manner of administration. We will write a custom essay sample on Notes – Human resource management or any similar topic only for you Order Now EXPLAIN the importance of reference checking, strategies to make such checking effective, and ANALYZE the legal issues involved. Selection The process of choosing Individuals to fill Job openings The strategic Importance of selection Quality of human resources determines organizational performance. Inappropriate selection decisions are costly. Significant legal implications Avoiding Legal problems use selection criteria based on the Job assess applicant’s ability to meet expectations scrutinize applicant-provided information obtain authorization for reference checking save all records and Information reject applicants who make false statements The selection process Designing the selection process Faceable) qualified privilege negligent misrepresentation Step 5: Supervisory Interview and realistic Job preview The supervisor: is best qualified to assess Job knowledge/ skills can answer Job-specific questions must feel comfortable with new hire can assess fit with current team members Realistic Job Preview (RIP) provides applicants with realistic information, both positive and negative, about the job Step 6: Hiring decision and Candidate notification compile information from all techniques used evaluate information about each candidate immediate supervisor usually makes final hiring decision think about the offer notify all finalists who were not selected How to cite Notes – Human resource management, Essays

Hamlet16 Essay Example For Students

Hamlet16 Essay With Hamlet being generally labeled as the best tragic hero ever created, it is ironic that his tragic flaw has never been as solidly confirmed as those of most of his fellow protagonists. There is Macbeth with his ambition, Oedipus with his pride, Othello with his jealousy, and all the others with their particular odd spots. Then there is Hamlet. He has been accused of everything and of nothing, and neither seems to stick. Flaws are carved out of obscure conversations when he may or may not be speaking truthfully and alleged from instances of his own self-discipline. They are bored into him with the bits of psychological drills invented long after Shakespeares hand crafted him. But Hamlet is made of that which resists these things. He has no obvious flaw or internal fault. And so, it seems that perhaps the perception of the tragic hero and his flaw must be re-evaluated. Flaw is a bad way of describing the very qualities which make the hero heroic. It carries with it a connotation of a weakness, a gap, a self-destructive crime hidden furtively from view. Having such traits makes not a hero but a villain. It need hardly be stated that there is a profound difference between a villains punishment and a heros upward fall to the stars and immortal death. The heros flaw is exactly not what the term implies. It is a strong point, an ungiving, inflexible perfection. It does not fit into the imperfect slot that society gives the hero to occupy. For the hero is always placed in the imperfect world of his author, as he must be, if he is to have any meaning at all. And it is against this cleanly cut strong point that the fissured edges of the broken world grind. And so there is deadly conflict. The hero cannot be ground down forever and remain a hero. He cannot win, because we all know that the world is not the perfect world of absolutes for which he fights. And so he dies, not because of his flaw, but because the flawless ideal cannot coexist with the pockmarked real. Mos t heroes strong points are unique for their possessors. They have few others. And so, the tension is concentrated upon those spots and they are quickly and noticeably scratched. And the interpreters leap upon the battle wound and call it a flaw. It is given a name, ambition, arrogance, or other words that society likes to use to demonize a rise above mediocrity and indecision. All this, of course, has been tried on Hamlet, and none are universally accepted as right or even slightly viable. He has no one point on which to concentrate the attack. He smashes against the ragged walls of his cell with inflexible force. He alters his environment on all fronts, from his own appearance to the psychological states of others (most notably Ophelia). His flaw is the strength of his strengths, the consistency of his consistencies. There is, first of all, what he says of himself. He says to the ghost, just as the plot gets underway, thy commandment all alone shall live / Within the book and volume of my brain.(Act 1, Scene 4, 102,103) Then, again, the message comes, soon after the climax, in the form of: My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!(Act 4, Scene 4, 66) He then dedicates himself entirely to his cause. He feigns madness to the point of starving himself, and transforms himself into a ragged shadow of the former appearance that Ophelia bewails. In thus degradi ng himself, he places a tremendous hobble on his chances of ascending to the throne, his expected position since birth. And as is blatantly obvious in the tense aftermath of the performance of The Mousetrap, he is not satisfied with the technicality of revenge. He will wait until Claudius is about some act / That has no relish of salvation int,(Act 3, Scene 3, 91,92) though it mean that he must endure the corruption longer and act at a time which could warrant a more horrid hent(Act 3, Scene 3, 88) upon his sword. Despite his own self doubts, he carries through with his revenge quite rapidly. He, of course, being a man of perfect absolutes is disappointed with his efforts, for they are not and cannot be, in the real world, absolute and immediate. But one must look at others to get a true picture of his speed. Claudius, the proven intriguer, is caught almost completely off guard by the performance of The Mousetrap. Polonius, representative of all that is confused in the world, is lef t completely in the dust. But as Hamlet strives for thoroughness in his revenge, he strives for thoroughness in all else as well. He is not governed or given justice by the legality and loopholes of mortal law. When contemplating his revenge, he worries not of earthbound justice, but of eternal consequences. He despises the laws delay, / The insolence of office(Act 3, Scene 1, 72,73) in his most famous soliloquy. And so, being at odds with the laws of the world, he comes to odds with the world at every corner. As Claudius points out, the most practical thing for Hamlet to do after his fathers death is to get over it. There is no provision in the world that expressly demands that a son sorrow long for his father. In fact, the king is able to bring forth many reasons not to, including duty, precedence and even some parts of religion. But Hamlet does not see goodness in passing over such an event. Since he cannot wear white, he wears black. There is nothing legally wrong with the marri age of Claudius and Gertrude. Such practice was not uncommon with medieval royalty. Technically it is not true incest, the two are not really related by blood. But Hamlet dislikes the uses of this world. His mother was his fathers wife, is his fathers wife and always will be. He remembers how she would hang on him, / As if increase of appetite had grown / By what it fed on. (Act 1, Scene 2, 143,144) This immediately contrasts with reality and leaves him angry and disillusioned, but still he tries to set things right by convincing her (once he knows she was not knowingly a part of the kings murder) to give up Claudius. The demise of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is particularly exemplary of Hamlets flaw. They are disloyal, shallow, foolish and opportunistic. They are the embodiments of the things which Hamlet, dedicated, contemplative, planning and solitary, hates. They are the flaws that rake against Hamlets virtues. Escape from them is not enough. Half-victory and a muddling of affa irs is victory for them and their kind, not Hamlet. His dealings with them must be final. He must delve one yard below their mines, not to confound them, for they are already confounded, but to blow them at the moon.(Act 3, Scene 4, 209,210) It would be pleasant, satisfying, to end a description at that, as it would be pleasant and satisfying to end the play with a complete victory for the protagonist. But that is intoxication, smashing together the true and the false into one jagged aggregate that glitters and pleases and does no good. That is the form of the imperfect world. A tragic hero cannot survive there. So Hamlet must go to his death, as he does, having purged himself of doubt and contradiction, driving through to immortal purpose. Hamlet’s truest â€Å"flaw† is that he is trapped in a world of personal injustices, and that he must endure through them toward their final resolutions, all the while in conflict with his own mind. It is thus that Hamlet’s à ¢â‚¬Å"flaw† is himself, with his indecisions and his own humanity eating away at him. It thus remains in great irony that the advice given to Laertes by Polonius would have been in great use for Hamlet as a person: â€Å"to thine own self be true†. .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .postImageUrl , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:hover , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:visited , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:active { border:0!important; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 { 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; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:active , .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .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; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532 .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uaca582c99bc335e2e0c45460f4f48532:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Family Values EssayBibliography: