Monday, May 18, 2020

Military Abbreviations Found on US Grave Markers

Many military graves are inscribed with abbreviations that denote the unit of service, ranks, medals, or other information on the military veteran. Others may also be marked with bronze or stone plaques provided by the U.S. Veterans Administration. This list includes some of the most common military abbreviations that may be seen on headstones and grave markers in American ​cemeteries, both in the United States and overseas. Military Rank BBG - Brevet Brigadier GeneralBGEN - Brigadier GeneralBMG - Brevet Major GeneralCOL - ColonelCPL - CorporalCPT - CaptainCSGT - Commissary SergeantGEN - GeneralLGEN - Lieutenant GeneralLT - Lieutenant1 LT - First Lieutenant (2 LT 2nd Lieutenant, and so on)LTC - Lieutenant ColonelMAJ - MajorMGEN - Major GeneralNCO - Noncommissioned OfficerOSGT - Ordinance SergeantPVT - PrivatePVT 1CL - Private First ClassQM - QuartermasterQMSGT - Quartermaster SergeantSGM - Sergeant MajorSGT - SergeantWO - Warrant Officer Military Unit Branch of Service ART - ArtilleryAC or USA - Army Corps; United States ArmyBRIG - BrigadeBTRY - BatteryCAV - CavalryCSA - Confederate States of AmericaCT - Colored Troops; may precede the branch such as CTART for Colored Troops ArtilleryCO or COM - CompanyENG or EM - Engineer; Engineers / MinersFA - Field ArtilleryHA or HART - Heavy ArtilleryINF - InfantryLA or LART - Light ArtilleryMC - Medical CorpsMAR or USMC - Marines; United States Marine CorpsMIL - MilitiaNAVY or USN - Navy; United States NavyREG - RegimentSS - Sharpshooters (or sometimes Silver Star, see below)SC- Signal CorpsTR - TroopUSAF - United States Air ForceVOL or USV - Volunteers; United States VolunteersVRC - Veteran Reserve Military Service Medals Awards AAM - Army Achievement MedalACM - Army Commendation MedalAFAM  - Air Force Achievement MedalAFC  - Air Force CrossAM  - Air MedalAMNM  - Airmans MedalARCOM - Army Commendation MedalBM - Brevet MedalBS or BSM - Bronze Star or Bronze Star MedalCGAM  - Coast Guard Achievement MedalCGCM - Coast Guard Commendation MedalCGM  - Coast Guard MedalCR  - Commendation RibbonCSC - Conspicuous Service Cross (New York)DDSM  - Defense Distinguished Service MedalDFC - Distinguished Flying CrossDMSM  - Defense Meritorious Service MedalDSC  - Distinguished Service CrossDSM  - Distinguished Service MedalDSSM  - Defense Superior Service MedalGS  - Gold Star  (generally appears in conjunction with another award)JSCM  - Joint Service Commendation MedalLM or  LOM - Legion of MeritMH or MOH - Medal of HonorMMDSM  - Merchant Marine Distinguished Service MedalMMMM  - Merchant Marine Mariners MedalMMMSM  - Merchant Marine Meritorious Service MedalMSM  - Meritorious Servic e MedalNMCM  - Navy Marine Corps MedalNAM  - Navy Achievement MedalNC  - Navy CrossNCM  - Navy Commendation MedalOLC - Oak Leaf Cluster (generally appears in conjunction with another award)PH - Purple HeartPOWM  - Prisoner of War MedalSM  - Soldiers MedalSS or SSM - Silver Star or Silver Star Medal These abbreviations generally follow another award to indicate superior achievement or multiple awards: A - AchievementV - ValorOLC - Oak Leaf Cluster (generally follows another award to indicate multiple awards) Military Groups Veterans Organizations DAR - Daughters of the American RevolutionGAR - Grand Army of the RepublicSAR - Sons of the American RevolutionSCV - Sons of Confederate VeteransSSAWV - Sons of Spanish American War VeteransUDC - United Daughters of the ConfederacyUSD 1812 - Daughters of the War of 1812USWV - United Spanish War VeteransVFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Gender Stereotypes In The Media - 1391 Words

Gender stereotypes are everywhere. Even before we can understand what this means, people are constantly exposed to them through advertisements, toys, clothes, and the media including television shows and movies. To evaluate the prevalence of gender stereotypes in television programs targeted towards young children, I chose to watch four different shows called Phineas and Ferb, Little Einsteins, Horrid Henry, and Sofia the First. When picking what shows to watch, I intentionally selected at least one that looked targeted towards boys, another that appeared to be targeted towards girls, and finally one that seemed gender neutral. I also made sure to watch at least two episodes of each program to determine whether the themes I observed were†¦show more content†¦During this process, however, only one girl is ever included. In fact, I paused the show during a scene when the friends were riding the rollercoaster, and counted 11 boys in compared to only one girl. The second show I evaluated was a cartoon called Little Einsteins. This show features a group of four friends, two boys and two girls, who go on a different adventure in each episode, usually in pursuit of solving a specified problem. The problem in the first episode I watched was that one of the planet Saturn’s rings fell off and the group had to work together to try and return it back to space. This show, in my opinion, had very little gender stereotyping, even with careful analysis as well as no violence. A small aspect I did notice was that the two male characters were usually the ones to come up with problem solving and heroic ideas while the girls were the ones asking questions like â€Å"what are we supposed to do?† while more often scared in a problematic scenario. The physical appearances of the characters also varied and I don’t believe they were conforming to stereotypes, but instead, provided a range of personalities and physical appearances that all types of kids could identify with. Prosocial behavior is a big part of this show. This group of friends is constantly trying to solve problems that benefit others, while not receiving anything beneficial themselves. For example, when the friends decided to return Saturn’s lost ring back toShow MoreRelatedGender Stereotypes In The Media1207 Words   |  5 Pages Gender Stereotypes are everywhere in the world. This paper will focus on the formation of Gender stereotypes through different media sources. The media sources that will be used include television shows, movies and magazines. Thus the paper will also explore the effect that gender stereotyping may have on development of a person’s social and individual identity. There were many different media sources that I used to see where Gender Stereotypes were predominant. First of all I reviewed differentRead MoreMedia Portrayal Of Gender Stereotypes1268 Words   |  6 Pages Gender stereotyping is usually used in media to improve character traits and create humorous circumstances. When stereotypes are present in popular television shows, audience assume those messages of gender, making it difficult to counter stereotypical behavior. This paper emphasis on gender roles in popular media and it’s important for analysts and educators to identify stereotypical interpretations. Using feminist theory, media depictions can be understood and studiedRead MoreMedia And Stereotyping On Gender Stereotypes1395 Words   |  6 Pageswomen in these ads were never seen by any of the informants as sexist or inappropriate, contrary to the researcher s own introspection. Dominant Culture Stereotyping on Pinterest | Gender Stereotypes ... It was about time someone addressed the phrase â€Å"like a girl†. It’s full of negativity and perpetuates the stereotype that the way women do things is inferior to the way men do them. So, hold high the foam finger of feminism for this advert that was screened in the Super Bowl, for tackling the issueRead MoreGender Stereotypes in Advertising and the Media1940 Words   |  8 Pages| Gender Stereotypes in Advertising and the Media | | | | | | According to Surviving for Thriving, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of rape and sexual assault, one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes. This means that a total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. While these numbers may or may not come as a shock to you, the real surprise is where they start (Surviving to Thriving, 2008)Read MoreEssay about Gender Stereotypes in Media 1384 Words   |  6 Pagesthe knowledge, we rely on media. The media actually re-present the world to us. However, the media only shows us some aspects of the world, ignoring the rest. So basically, the media chooses what is to be shown and what is to be discarded (Andrew Pilkington and Alan Yeo (2009)). . In this essay, I will explain what stereotypes are and primarily give an example of a famous men’s magazine called ‘nuts’ and explain how these stereotypes are created by print and the digital media and what are their impactsRead More Media and Its Effects on Gender Stereotypes Essay1943 Words   |  8 Pagesis meant by mass media. The Collins English Dictionary defines mass media as the means of communication that reach large numbers of people in a short time, such as television, newspapers, magazines, and radio (Collins English Dictionary 5th edition, 2000, pp 957). This therefore suggests that any medium that conveys information to the people is categorised as mass media. By looking at two forms of media, this essay will examine how much the media can be charged withRead MoreEssay about Gender Based Stereotype in the Media1723 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The media plays an extremely important and arguably the most powerful role in shaping the perception individuals and members of the public holds towards themselves and their surroundings. This therefore makes it extremely difficult for one to maintain his/her unique self identity or perception of others without the influence of the media. People will define themselves and others based on the messages insinuated by the media. The problem hence emerges when the media insinuate the wrongRead MoreInfluence Of The Advertising Media On Gender And Representation Of Stereotypes1173 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract The advertising media often stereotypes gender roles either for added effects or for humor. Repeated use of these role-plays reinforces the public’s perception about how men and women should behave. This also shapes the expectations that society has towards them. The manipulation of these stereotypes by the media is an unconscious byproduct of the thinking of most men and women about what roles each gender should play. Deterministic theories emphasize that men and women evolve differentlyRead MoreGender Stereotypes Of The Twentieth Century Entertainment Media1157 Words   |  5 PagesGender stereotypes In the last few decades the daily lives of Americans is revolving around about what the entertainment media has displayed for them. Society has been influenced by the media with movies, advertisements and news that are constantly bombarding us. Entertainment media has given Americans a taste of the films that display a traditional housewife woman and heroic male figures. However, today’s media has offered a new perspective on how a woman or man can act. These stereotypes have beenRead MoreAssessment of the View That Mass Media Perpetuates Stereotypes of Gender1265 Words   |  6 PagesAssessment of the View That Mass Media Perpetuates Stereotypes of Gender In this essay I will be writing about the way in which the mass media reinforces the idea of stereotypes of gender. The mass media has existed for many hundreds of years, and its role is to socialise us into different stereotypes such as Gender and Race. Gender is perhaps the basic category we use for sorting human beings. Essential ideas that we get about our own identity’s come from someone else’s

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Later Years Of The Postclassical Era - 943 Words

The Later Postclassical Era The in the later years of the postclassical era introduces the human generation a new way to live, cities became vastly important for trades for merchants and foreigners, and how different states reacted to the change by making laws that would be applicable for their own self interests. Among the trades and policy’s. Expansion became vitally important, for many states and regions, the essay will present a big picture of how the later postclassical era innovated many lives by different states and regions interacting with each other and sharing their own traditions and values to one another. How did trades became a huge factor to the postclassical era. Trades were popular in different regions throughout the globe but major trades were happening in Eurasia, (1000-1500) â€Å"From the earliest time of Eurasia trading became extremely popular, like the trading patterns that were used like the silk road for many luxuries, good that were considered high value at its time, and where some of the bigger items or commodities that were heavy to travel with were shipped to sail in the sea of the Indian ocean.† – Journal 15 the trades era wasn’t the safest time either, they were many incidents where different states would try to conquest another to build trade advantage in the thirteenth century the Mongols were one of the perpetrator to take over cities for tradeShow MoreRelatedAp World History Units 1-3 Study Guide Essay4374 Words   |  18 Pagesenlightened an tolerant one 6. The Persian legal code was designed to * Codify laws of the subject peoples 7. The center of the Persian communications network was * The Royal Road 8. Basic tenets of Zoroastrianism that influenced later religions * The belief in heaven and hell * The encouragement of high moral standards * The doctrine that individuals will undergo a final judgment * The belief that each individual plays a key role in determining his orRead MoreEastern Christendom : Building On The Roman Past Essay2059 Words   |  9 Pagesadministrative system gave generals authority and allowed them to raise armies from peasants o Emperor claimed to govern all of creation as God’s representative o Imperial court represented Persia’s o Centralized state did not really effect citizens o Later attacks after 1085 shrank the empire because of outside attacks o Ended in 1453 when Ottoman empire took Constantinople †¢ The Byzantine Church and Christian Divergence o Emperor was both a Caesar and the pope, or caesaropapism o Treated church as governmentRead MoreEssay on Change Analysis Chart Postclassical (600-1450 C.E.)8730 Words   |  35 Pages* Change Analysis Chart Postclassical (600-1450 C.E.) | Basic Features at Beginning of period | Key Continuities | Key Changes | Basic Features at End of Period | Reasons for Change or Continuities | Global Trade What other trading systems existed at the beginning of the period? The Indian Ocean system is a continuity, not a change.What about the gold-salt trade? Dont you mean the Pax  Mongolica? | * Trade was very international. * Silk roads linked Eurasia, and goods traded hands many

The Fall of the Roman Republic - 810 Words

The Roman Republic was created as a result of Rome’s early and tyrannical kings. This new democratic system was supposed to balance the power between two consuls and the senate in order to prevent any one person from controlling the entire population. It also aimed to ease relations between the separate classes by allowing slaves to purchase their freedom and by allowing anyone to move up in the class system from plebian to senator. The early phase of the Roman Republic was marked by successful foreign conquests, financial prosperity and a well-functioning government; however, as the years went by the republic slowly started to fall. During the time of the republic, Rome managed to conquer most of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea as well as territories far into modern day Germany and Spain. This massive new domain began to put a strain on the Roman government. It was difficult to get conquered peoples to abide by the laws and constitution of the republic and even more difficult to enforce punishments when they did not. The vastness of the republic made it impossible for each territory to be represented equally in the Roman senate. This caused almost constant conflict in the new territories which began to burn through Rome’s man power and resources. In addition to these issues, the Punic Wars had destroyed most of Italy’s farmland and many soldiers returned home to find their sources of income depleted. Often these men had to become hired labor or tenant farmersShow MoreRelatedThe Fall Of The Roman Republic1368 Words   |  6 PagesFinal Essay- The Fall of the Roman Republic From the fall of the last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, in 509 BCE, to the beginning of the principate in 27 BCE, the Roman Republic thrived as a strong and relatively stable government. This was despite its two major issues that eventually led to its downfall- the class struggle between plebeians and patricians as well as the autonomy the military had that allowed for armies to become loyal to its commander rather than the Roman state. For centuriesRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Republic1745 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Tiberius and his brother Gaius were regarded in Roman tradition as the initiators of the revolution which led to the breakdown of the Republic.† (Roebuck, 1966:506) The fall of the Roman Republic occurred during the late second century BC and resulted in various leading figures emerging such as Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus. Tiberius Gracchus was largely responsible for creating and initiating a long term political crisis in Rome in the early first century through his land reformations and desireRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Republic Essay2445 Words   |  10 PagesChalking up the fall of the Roman Republic to a decline in traditional Roman morality, while not false, sells the events and changes that were the causes for the fall of the Republic short. At the end of The Third Punic War with Carthage we arguably see the Republic at its height. However in only a decade things begin to change, we see events that send Rome as a Republic past a point that Rome could not recover. Gaius Marius’s military reforms, specifically that of allowing for the captive cencsiRead MoreFall of the Roman Republic2648 Words   |  11 PagesFall of the Roman R epublic By Ryan Anderson Arguably the greatest contribution to the eventual downfall of the Roman Republic was the institution of Gaius Marius popular, yet dangerous reforms, and his repeated usage of questionable political tactics to achieve his underlying personal goals. By undermining the power of the senate through illegal political conduct, and by introducing reforms that created the open potential for abuse of military power, Marius paved the way for future militaryRead MoreThe Fall of the Roman Republic Essay625 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"The die is cast† - Julius Caesar The expansion of Rome, the ruling of Julius Caesar and his death, and the civil war that followed his death all led to the collapse of the Roman Republic. The expansion of Rome created political, social, and economical changes. Politically, the government did not change to suit the expanding of Rome. The economic changes were that poor farmers could not afford anymore to compete with the estates run by slaves, so they sold theirRead MoreJulius Caesar And The Fall Of The Roman Republic1122 Words   |  5 PagesTyler Boyer Coach Charb World History 9 June 2017 Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic Julius Caesar was one of if not the greatest ruler the Roman Republic has ever seen. He was born in 100 BC to Aurelia and Gaius Caesar. Although his family was hailed by Roman aristocrats, they were still very poor. When Julius Caesar was only 16 his father died. Rome was very unstable at this time, almost being in chaos. Around the time his father died Caesar decided to make an effort bringing backRead MoreThe Fall of the Roman Empire to the Republic580 Words   |  2 PagesFrom the early history of the Roman Empire, within the beginnings of the Republic, we will examine the period when the reign of kings comes to an end and social classes become established among the populace. From this point, will see how the oppression of one class against another leads up to a breaking-point with the revolt of one against another. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was the seventh, and last Etruscan king (reigned from 534 to 510 BC) of Rome who was overthrown and exiled for his crueltyRead MoreGnaeus Pompey and the fall of the Roman Republic Essay788 Words   |  4 Pagesas the reforms of the Gracchi brothers’ meant that the Rome was facing a Republic that was already deteriorating before Pompey had stepped into power. While Pompey’s quest for power was harmful, many other factors were also baleful to the Republic, and were hence instrumental in its decline. Gnaeus Pompeius’s measures to gain power were harmful because it was primarily a paradox to the principles of being part of a Republic with all its notions of shared and short power. The fundamental reason whyRead MoreFall of the Roman Republic Julius Caesar Essay626 Words   |  3 Pagesare many contributions to the fall of the roman republic. Three of the main ones can be linked to the Actions and legacy of Sulla, Caesars military campaign s and Caesars dictatorship. The decline of the Republic began in the middle of the second century B.C. with political, economic, and social events. These events in addition to the burdens of civil war on Rome, lead to the inevitable failure of the Republic. The first contribution to the fall of the roman republic is linked to the actions and legacyRead MoreEssay on The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic517 Words   |  3 PagesThe roman republic came into existence at the termination of the Roman kingship in 507 B.C.E. The last king of Rome, Tarquin the Proud, was expelled by Collatinus and Brutus, as a result of his arrogance involving the matter of one of his relations raping the wholesome Roman matron Lucretia and her subsequent suicide. The rape of Lucretia was really a representation of the frustration that the roman citizens felt regarding the kingship. The later kings had little regard for roman values and the

ISO 900 Essay Example For Students

ISO 900 Essay Introduction In order to stay competitive, businesses have to be the best at what they do. Companys must be efficient and presise in all aspects of the job. (Metcalfe 1). ISO 9000 is made up of managements responsibility, the producers involved in the Quality Management System, the contract review, the design control, document and data control, purchasing, process control, inspection and testing, control of non-conforming product, corrective action, handling, storage, packaging and delivery, internal quality audits, training, servicing and statistical techniques (Prasanna 1). Quality control and quality assurance is very important there are certain requirements that take time and money to be met but in the end there are benefits. Types of specifications are very significant and the documentation of those is even more. Manufacturers and purchasers have major responsibility in the process of being successful. The quality of a product is so important, especially to the customer. A companys quality management system must become the documented proof of a firms commitment to quality management. A plan put together with quality procedures and work instructions is provided to help companies design their own quality management system. After completing the quality procedures, companies are audited and then determined if they should be certified for ISO 9000 or not (Parsanna 2). ISO: International Organization of Standards Founded in 1947 in Geneva Switzerland, ISO developed international standards and helped exchange goods and services worldwide. It is made up of over 90 countries including the US, which is called the American National Standards Institute. The name ISO came from the Greek word, isos, meaning equal (Henkoff 2). ISO was created by business men (Henkoff 2). These business men knew what businesses needed to become more competitive and how they could get higher customer satisfaction, so ISO was developed. ISO is not government regulated, but is ran by organizations like the US Registrar Accreditation Board. Such organizations authorize registrars which issue ISO certificates (Barrier 2). In Europe some organizations are government regulated. The American National Standards Institute runs the ISO in the US and authorizes the US Registrar Accreditation Board (Barrier 2). ISOs job is to set standards for companies all over the world so that their products come out efficiently and to the best quality. This helps the customers who receive the exports know exactly what they are getting and are satisfied with the product. Setting these standards is done by ISO members at assembly meetings. Proposals are developed by the ISO Council, which is like the board of directors in a business. These meetings are held three times a year and the membership is rotated to allow more representatives in (iso online). Standards are developed by technical committees. 30,000 experts participate to give comments, feedback and to vote in meetings which are held15 times a day electronically. The experts are chosen by an ISO member of that country (iso online). ISO 9000 The ISO 9000 series was published in 1987 (iso online). It is a standardization system that was developed by ISO. It is obtained by 130 countries, but its main office is in Geneva, Switzerland where the system is coordinated and the finished standards are published (iso online). These ISO standard are rules and guidelines that ensure the product that a manufacturing business produces is safe, reliable and efficient (iso online). These standards makes sure that businesses are living up to their promises. An ISO 9000 certificate is given to a business when it maintains the quality management requirements determined by ISO (Henkoff 1). ISO 9000 helps a business to get certified by telling it what requirements it should meet and how it will meet them. .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .postImageUrl , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:hover , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:visited , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:active { border:0!important; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e { 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; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:active , .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .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; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1271c943b14d1b33e025c586a7dd963e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: African Dimensions Of The Stono Rebellion Essay It provides a framework for a company. It sets standards worldwide and help export goods to other countries. However, the company must have good strong leaders for it to thrive. The success of ISO 9000 on a business largely depends on the businesss organization. Planning, training, setting and achieving goals are all key to improvement or success of a business (Henkoff 5). ISO 9000 makes sure a company is doing what it says it is doing and helps them do it. However, that doesnt mean it is running the company and telling it what to do

Physical Theatre Performance Analysation free essay sample

Audiences today want a real experience in their live performance, because they can get great script based entertainment at home, through various new media sources. Traditional theatre, which appeals on a mental, and hopefully also emotional level, has not been enough to compete with other media, and audiences have been declining. Physical theatre, by contrast appeals to the audience on a physical and emotional level, providing a much more immediate experience than traditional theatre † (Artmedia Publishing in Zen Zen Zos The Tempest Teachers Notes) Then you realise that theatre is a more personal experience. (Stephen Atkins, Dantes Inferno Director) After viewing Zen Zen Zos physical theatre reincarnation of the philosophical poem, Inferno by Dante Alighieri , it was clear that the combinations of various dramatic languages ultimately enhanced both the mood and symbolism of this live performance. These dramatic languages include the utilisation and management of physical composition, complicitГ ©, space, language and movement dramatic languages to create and enhance both mood and symbol. This particular performance guided the audience through the literature to experience the different stages of purgatory performed at the Old Museum. This successfully provided both the audience and the cast with intimate theatre experiences. In order to successfully achieve a powerful performance and obtain this experience, physical composition was clearly utilised. In Dantes Inferno, the manipulation and management of physical composition, particularly in the development of this production, provided the audience with an intimate experience. Physical composition refers to the way in which someone or something is composed. Zen Zen Zo has excelled in this dramatic language, particularly through the use of music, movement and drama. To achieve physical omposition, the ensemble must recognise and maintain spatial relationships with the architecture, kinaesthetic response, tempo, repetition and sensitivity to the dramatic manipulation of both space and time. The spatial relationships between the actors of Zen Zen Zo and the architecture of the Old Museum were managed to allow the audience to feel the intimacy of the actors in any particular scene. Humor was a key component in not only providing a contrast to the mood of the performance, but also in enhancing the composition of Dantes Inferno. In particular, humor was demonstrated through the comic relief tour uides, and in the lustful level of purgatory. The two tour guides comic relief composition created a strong contrast in comparison to the disturbing ensemble members of the production. Another element which assisted in creating a contrast was the Cabaret style song and dance provided in the lustful circle. This Joyous song created not only a strong contrast to the other ensemble members of hell, but also contrasted against the literature of Dantes Inferno where the lustful are sentenced for their souls to be blown around in a violent storm needlessly and aimlessly, as lust nas the power tor ones desire to sway their reason. In the Zen Zen Zo version however, the ensemble are dancing and singing in cabaret. They are still aimlessly moving without reason, but it is interpreted in a humorous way, especially in contrast to the other levels of hell. These two compositions of humor, aid in enhancing both mood and symbol through contrasting elements, ambiance, and physicalisation. Another component of physical composition used was surprise entrances. The use of surprise entrances provided a contemporary experience when the gluttonous circle of devil-like ensemble members appeared from behind the audience, attacking the comic relief tour guides. Not only did this provide a strong contrast between the solemn actors of the heretic circle and the animal-like, blood thirsty ensemble, but the surprise entrance provided the audience with a disturbing mood. The use of physicalisation of the ensemble involved the audience members by invading their comfort zones and taking away their tour guides, their only source of escape. The audience then became lost and frightened as there were no signs leading them to their next destination, once again forcing them to partake in the performance. This physicalisation not only successfully involved the ontemporary audience, but demonstrated the necessity of physical composition to give audiences that real experience. This use of physical composition provided immediate reaction and emotional expression through action and contrast. These elements ultimately enhanced the mood and symbolism of the performance, allowing audiences to not only partake in the production on an intimate level but also on an emotional level. Another way in which mood and symbol can be created is through the use of complicitГ ©. Another element used to enhance the physical theatre experience is complicitГ ©. This dramatic language refers to the use of an ensemble. In Dantes Inferno the benefit of an ensemble is demonstrated throughout the whole course of the production as it provided bigger representations and enhanced the powerful concepts. In particular, the Molent circle representing murder, death and the element of fire, excelled in the utilisation of an ensemble. The audience were guided into a large hall where approximately thirty ensemble members were positioned around the architecture. The ensemble worked together, manipulating their bodies into unnatural, unsettling postures. Through precise choreography, the ensemble rovided an explosive, demonic re-enactment of the torture inflicted upon their bodies for their violent crimes. The ensemble then forced out the words of the original literature, in a manner which demonstrated the pain and suffering which they have endured. The precise body language and synchronisation of movement and vocals demonstrated Greek chorus. Another example of complicitГ © was demonstrated in the obsession circle. This contemporary re-enactment of Dantes inferno had a strong reliance on the ensemble. Each ensemble member moved firstly in time with the fast moving beat of the slapstick. The mechanical synchronisation was proven successful and the ensemble worked together to enthral the audience. The ensemble later moved in slow motion, yet still remained in time with one another, once again captivating the audience. This stage in hell symbolised those individuals who fake happiness in their everyday lives. The choreography of the ensemble in botn scenes was pertected through a combination ot acrobalance, Suzuki dance techniques and Butoh dance theatre. This technique proved successful in invoking the audience to connect with the mood of the production. Zen Zen Zo has strong emphasis on the ensemble working together. (Performer, James Casey) In this production, ComplicitГ © was used effectively, especially in combination to the space and architecture of the Old Museum. Space is a key essential in relation to physical theatre. This dramatic language refers to the area which can be occupied in relation to another being or object. The architecture of the Old Museum proved a suitable venue for the audience to view the production in promenade style and become the character o f Dante. When left alone to roam the conical layers of hell, we have the chance to play poet, narrator, and rotagonist, by taking the place of Dante in the original text. (Alison Bare, BrizTix) The audience members were given a map of the performance area to inform them that the production would be utilising space, both interior and exterior. (See Appendix A) Firstly, the audience members were greeted by fortune tellers. The audience were then guided to a large garden where the comic relief tour guides were introduced. Five ensemble members guided the audience into the gates of hell with fiery stakes. These actors chanted abandon all hopes as you enter the gates of hell. Within the first few moments of the production, the audience had already witnessed a vast amount of space. This provided an emotion connection to the character of Dante from the original literature, creating a confused and disturbed mood. The Old Museum allowed the audience to visit the ensemble members across a wide area of space to view the upper levels of hell. This gave the viewers the feeling of being at a zoo, viewing the actors as wild animals. The audience was then manipulated into the interior of the Old Museum, where space was successfully utilised by the actors. The audience were led into a large hall where the Molent circle performed disturbing choreography on the floor and walls of the architecture. This amount of space allowed the actors to utilise the proxemics between each ensemble member. This particular scene provided the audience with the torturous mood and emotion that was present in the actors absurd body movements and expressions. The use of space reinforced both mood and symbolism through the use of elements. The icy cold weather present when outside of the theatre symbolised the element of air, adding an eerie, desolate mood to the performance. The fiery gates of hell and the vicious red lighting symbolised purgatory, and reinforced an angry, demonic mood. The wrathful circle used water as a symbolism of depression and the actors tears of sorrow, perceiving a solemn mood. Finally, the outdoor promenade style of theatre allowed both the actors and audience to feel the element of Earth, creating a mood of isolation and a sense of being lost. These elements along with the effective use of space, contemporised the physical theatre aspect of this production to enhance both mood and symbolism. Alongside space, language is another aspect which ontributed to the involvement of the audience in this physical theatre production. Adapting an epic poem is a matter of reducing the words, while creating visuals, sound and movement that are as potent as what we find in the poem. (Director, Stephen s) Language is a term which reters to the vocals and music within a theatrical production. Dantes Inferno comes as an influence from the renowned poem Inferno written by Dante Alighieri. The literature is filled with a vast amount of metaphors and dramatic imagery demonstrated throughout the Zen Zen Zo production. This medieval styled writing appeals to modern audiences who still ecognise lust, wrath and violence as contemporary issues. This production contemporises the poem to appeal to audiences today, yet still keeps Inferno a powerful literature. This is achieved through the utilisation of contemporary conventions, such as fragmentation and contrast, enhancing both symbol and mood. Through a variety of languages, including the use of body language, body art, music and costume, the Zen Zen Zo company has excelled in this dramatic language. To assist with the elements of drama, colossal scrolls with the appropriate section of Inferno written upon it hung at each stage of hell. These scrolls revert back to the originality of the literature, allowing the ensemble to contemporise the meaning and utilise the convention of intertextuality. Music firstly assisted in this production at the beginning of the performance. The audience were introduced to hells gate which was constructed using five ensemble members, each with a fiery stake at hand. Two more ensemble members emerged playing three eerie chords on violin, providing a terrifying mood to the audience. This live performance technique also enticed the audience adding more physicality to the production. In the lust level of urgatory, the cabaret style song and dance contrasted with the serious mood of the poem. This technique manipulated the intended language of the performance, appealing to the modern day audience. Despite the poem not being read aloud, the body language portrayed in the gluttonous circle was disturbing and demonic and the audience still felt the emotion and power of the literature. The costumes designed were ripped, blood-stained and minimal, symbolising the souls of those who have been refrained to purgatory. The colours used acted as a language technique portraying the nature of the characters. Colours can speak strongly of the way we perceive strength and weakness (Designer, AlanJohn Jones) The costumes of the characters were contemporised to appeal to modern day audiences and act as a language to portray mood and symbolism. Being a 13-century poem of great notoriety and then having to reinterpret that for the modern world within the context of a physical theatre company that doesnt rely on dialogue. A lot of the show will be based on visual cues (Designer, AlanJohn Jones) The language displayed in Dantes Inferno appealed to the audience in a contemporary manner, enhancing the dynamics of physical theatre. Another type of language which assists in enhancing physical theatre is movement. Movement is a form of dramatic language which refers to the physical motions which a person expresses with their body. In Dantes Inferno actors took part in a process called kinaesthetic learning. Students associated with a kinesthetic learning style have realisations through doing, as opposed to having thought first before initiating action, and often experience the strains of unnatural movement. This kinaesthetic style of learning was applied to both Suzuki and Butoh techniques, both prominently used within the Zen Zen Zo company. These training methods allowed the actors ot Dantes Interno to master synchronisation, precise movements and unnatural bodily motions. In the violent circle, the ensemble utilised levels, acrobalance, and precision, creating a powerful and astounding performance. The twisted bodily movements of each actor symbolised the agony and torture inflicted upon the characters in this stage of purgatory. The red lighting and powerful music assisted the ensemble in perfecting movement, a technique mastered through Suzuki training. The mechanical, demented movement and twisted expression of the ctors portrayed a disturbing mood, enticing the audience with its confronting choreography. The actors became one fgure, reaching to the heavens in hope of escape, then discharged outwards and violently pushed their way through the audience. This unbelievable, unnatural scene took the audience out of their comfort zone. The diverse method of this movement piece appealed to this contemporary audience on an emotional and a physical level, compelling energy and a sense of fear from the actors to the audience. This kept the audience both involved and engaged to form a connection and an addiction to the actors. Because Zen Zen Zo engaged the udience so much, the abrupt ending forced the audience to take the lessons and consequences learnt from the performance into the audiences immediate reality. Zen Zen Zos physical theatre reincarnation of the philosophical poem, Inferno, demonstrated that the combinations of dramatic languages created and enhanced both mood and symbol within this live performance. This was achieved through the use of dramatic languages including the utilisation and management of physical composition, complicitГ ©, space, language and movement. Physical composition successfully provided an intimate experience between the actors and the audience. ComplicitГ © was efficiently used allowing the ensemble to create a bigger representation of the original literature, and engaging the audience with unpredictable events and synchronised movements. The space and architecture of the Old Museum provided the ensemble with a variety of different atmospheres to adapt to and engage within. Both the interior and exterior were utilised allowing the audience to Journey through the different stages of purgatory and become the character of Dante. Language in the sense of costume, music and body, became a key essential in this production providing a variety of contrasts setting mood and symbol. In physical theatre, movement is profound by keeping the audience engaged and involved. Dramatic languages combined with music, lighting and movement, effectively created and enhanced mood and symbol. This production proved that Physical theatre appeals to the audience on a physical and emotional level, providing a much more immediate experience than traditional theatre. By tuning into the body, performers are able to find the exact and authentic response to the situation. Then they follow it onto unfettered action, enabling real dramatic truth to manifest itself. That is physical theatre. (Marshall, L. 2002: 33)