The Case of Old Family Bank Essay Example for Free

The Case of Old Family Bank Essay The interpretations of the case are valid in a sense that the situation of the employees are in complete grasp. However, the strategies needed to be enforced should look deeper into the situation. The strategy needed should be in a win-win standpoint wherein we improve the productivity while maintaining the stature of the bank itself. The case of the human resources at the Old Family Bank, simply put, could be analyzed as a case at which there is lacking motivation amongst its employees especially in the data processing unit. The electronic data-processing unit, based on the constraints of the case, presents the lowest loyalty towards the company. As a consultant, this is one of the major aspects that the management of the bank must work on. On the other hand, the check-sorting should be maintained at status quo in terms of loyalty improving strategies. Thus, increasing interaction between these two departments which both are important in the operations of the bank must be improved. The question of conflicting skill-based salaries may be lessened if both departments interact with each other. This would dictate the elimination of alienation between the workers. True, this may not be done overnight and there may be some time for things to catch up but this particular investment on manpower would serve as a positive reinforcement on the situation. Management could maintain working conditions in the data processing area and create shifts where both departments would interact (Hersey, Blanchard, Johnson, 2000). Old Family Bank could even profit from this by lessening operating costs while improving worker interaction (Leopold, 2002). The bank could also opt for team-building activities which could further strengthen the camaraderie within the bank. On the management side, they should promote an environment of fair and a conducive working place. By encouraging camaraderie within the management structure, they are also marketing a positive outlook towards their clients, making Old Family Bank not only the best place to bank but also the best place to work as well. Reference: Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., Johnson, D. E. (2000). Management of organizational behavior: leading human resources (8th ed ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Leopold, J. (2002). Human resources in organisations: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.

Examining The Computer History Of Microsoft Information Technology Essay

Examining The Computer History Of Microsoft Information Technology Essay Bill Gates is one of the richest people in the world. The way he made his money is by developing technology. He and Paul Allen were the two people who founded Microsoft. But before they founded Microsoft, they worked on the IBM-PC model 5150 and gave IBM a one the PC-DOS operating system for a onetime fee of 50,000 dollars. But they had to make a deal with Seattle Computer Products in order to get this operating system. Then in 1985, with the help of IBM, Gates produced the first retail version on Windows, which was called OS/2. After in 1991 Gates said that the OS/2 partnership was over and he would start working on Windows NT. Windows NT was released in 1993, this version was the first 32-bit version on Windows. From that point on, he helped create multiple other operating systems like windows 95 which introduced the first novel start menu and the included the Internet Explorer internet browser. Later in 2000 Gates stepped down as C.E.O of Microsoft and remained as chairman of the board and chief software architect. In 2006, Gates openly stated that he had many a decision to devote his time more towards his charitable foundation. Gates is still the companys chairman. That is how Bill Gates has made of a contribution to technology. Who is this man? This man was the co-founder and current CEO of Apple Inc. Apple is the innovator of iPods, iPads, iPhones and Mac computers. Apple had other projects like the Apple I and Apple Lisa but they werent as successful. The Macintosh was introduced in 1984. This model included a mouse and a graphical user interface rather than the command-line interface. Apple also created the iPod which allowed people to listen to all their favourite music, and view all their favourite movies and pictures. When the iPod-touch was released it allowed people to do all that and surf the internet with a Wi-Fi connection and download tonnes of apps from the app store on the iPod-touch. The iPhone is the same thing as an iPod-touch but you can text and call people. The iPad is like the iPod-touch but it is larger and you can get 3G service on it. Therefore, I think Steve Jobs has made a significant contribution towards technology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/steve-jobs/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. Magnetic Tape Magnetic Tape is something people use to record music or videos on. This tape was developed in Germany. Separately bought devices can play their music or videos on the Magnetic Tape. Examples of these devices would be VCRs and audio cassette players. The Magnetic Tape was intended to record music at first. This tape was original made by Valdemar Poulsen in 1898. He used iron oxide powder, coating a long strip of paper. But was it was further devolved by a German electronic company called AGE (Allgemeine Elektricitata-Gesellschaft) in 1933. AEG also manufactured the recording machines as well. Later on, people wanted to record video on the magnetic tape, so Ampex made a breakthrough innovation. They used a spinning recording head and a normal tape speeds to achieve a very high head to tape speed that could record and reproduce the high bandwidth. Later on, Sony devolved a helical scan and put it in the tape reels. Finally, these tapes are used for data storage. Some good examples woul d be Computers in 1951. Therefore I think the invention of magnetic tape has contributed to the development of technology greatly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_tape http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-magnetic-tape.htm http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Magnetic_tape Howard Aiken Howard Akien is the original conceptual designer of the Harvard Mark I computer made by IBM. This computer was built using 765,000 components and a lot of wiring. It was 16m in length and 2.4m in height. Also, it weighed over 4500 kg. This computer was made for calculations. It had 60 sets of 24 switches for entering numbers manually. Also, each number only could be 23 digits long. This machine could calculate 3 additions or subtractions in a second, while a multiplication took 6 seconds, a division taking 15.3. But trigonometric function took over a minute. The way that this computer got its information was from punched paper tape. Therefore, I believe that this computer made a great contribution to technology, as the base of our modern day calculator and computer languages were founded from this innovation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_H._Aiken http://www.thocp.net/biographies/aiken_howard.html http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa052198.htm Freddy Williams Freddy Williams is an English engineer. He and Tom Kilburn created the Williams or Williams-Kilburn tube, in 1947. This tube was made to store binary data. Each one of these tubes could hold around 512-1024 bits of data. The way this machine stored data was quite fascinating. There would be a cathode ray tube and dots would be drawn on it. The dot becomes positively charged and the area around became negatively charged for a brief moment. This energy could not be transferred and the energy would remain on the surface of the tube for a fraction of a second. This let the device act as the computer memory. The only way to erase a dot is by drawing another dot beside it. Once the memory is safe is when the computer reads the information. Therefore, I believe that this device made a significant contribution to technology because this device laid down the foundation of current day RAM to be developed. http://www.computer50.org/kgill/williams/williams.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Calland_Williams http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_tube EDSAC An EDSAC or an Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator was a British computer. The EDSAC was made by Maurice Wilkes and his team at the University of Cambridge Mathematical Laboratory. This was the first practical stored-program computer. This computer uses mercury delay lines for memory. The memory has 1024 locations, while each location has 18 bits. The CPU can hold 71 bits. The only commands that this computer had were: to add, subtract, multiply, collate, shit left, shift right, load multiplier register, store, accumulator, condition skip, read input tape, print character, round accumulator, no-op and stop. The initial orders were hand written on a set of uniselector switches and from there they were loaded into the low words memory at start up. This was the worlds assembler. People say at that moment the global software industry started, people would prepare their programs by punching them on a paper tape. Soon after, the program will be able to be used at this time the pa per was hung on length of line strung up near the paper tape reader. Therefore, I believe that the EDSAC made an important contribution to programming. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Delay_Storage_Automatic_Calculator http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mr10/Edsac/edsacposter.pdf http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_uses_of_edsac Jacquard loom The Jacquard loom was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801. This loom is controlled by punched cards. There are multiple holes punched in each card that make a design of the textile. The way that a hole is punched into the card is by the Bolus hook. Each hook is connected by a harness. These days Jacquards looms are controlled by computers and these computers can have thousands of hooks. The Jacquard loom was the first machine that had the ability to punch cards to control a sequence of operations. This helped the development of computer programming because now programmers didnt have to make their own holes; they could make holes using this loom. Also they could make the holes faster. In conclusion, the Jacquards loom helped the development of programming. http://www.thetapestryhouse.com/aboutproducts/jacquard-loom.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacquard_loom http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/jacquard.htm The Machine That Changed the World Scavenger Hunt Using an internet search engine, find a WWW sites that contains the following statements: 1. Daughter of Lord Byron, mentored by Babbage, called by some the first programmer. Answer: Augusta Ada Lovelace URL: http://wiki.answers.com/ 2. Had a job to speed up the 1890 census and devised a punched-card machine. Answer: Herman Hollerith URL: http://wiki.answers.com/ 3. In 1924 Thomas J. Watson changed the companys name to this name. Answer: International Business Machines. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Watson 4. A 1973 Federal Court ruling officially credited Dr. John V. Atanasoff with this invention. Answer: first automatic electronic digital computer URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vincent_Atanasoff 5. Probably the original mechanical counting device traced back 5,000 years. Answer: The abacus URL: http://www.kraza.itgo.com/html/computer_history.htm 6. This inventor, painter, and sculptor sketched ideas for a mechanical adding machine. Answer: Leonardo da Vinci.   URL: http://wiki.answers.com 7. Created a punched-card system to direct movements of needles, thread, and fabric. Answer: Joseph Jacquard URL: http://wiki.answers.com 8. Howard Aiken completed this electromechanical computer. Answer: The Mark I later making the Mark II Mark III URL: http://wiki.answers.com 9. Dr. John W. ? and Presper ? created the first fully operational electronic computer called ? (3 answers!) Answers: Mauchly and J presper Eckert created the ENIAC (electrical numerical integrator and calculator) URLs: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bleniac.htm 10. IBM introduced the IBM Personal computer or PC in what year. Answer: August 1981 URL: http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc25/pc25_intro.html 11. Graphic images where each pixel is bit-mapped and take up more memory. Answer: Bitmap Graphic URL: http://wiki.answers.com 12. Graphic images defined by geometric shapes each of which can define the attributes of many pixels. These use less memory. Answer: Vector Graphics URL: http://wiki.answers.com 13. This professor of mathematics joined the Navy in 1943. She led a distinguished career which included developing software for the UNIVAC1. She led the effort to develop the a business language that eventually became COBOL. Answer: Grace Hopper URL: http://www.thocp.net/biographies/hopper_grace.html 14. This object-oriented version of C programming language is used to develop software for PCs such as Fractal Design Painter, Lotus 123, and games. Answer: C++ URL: http://wiki.answers.com 15. The term for communications between remote devices. Answer: Networking URL: http://wiki.answers.com

Critiquing and Repairing Free Trade under NAFTA :: Global Political Politics Essays

Critiquing and Repairing Free Trade under NAFTA On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the free trade policy linking the economies of Canada, the United States, and Mexico was officially implemented. Over the past decade, the policy has evoked a firestorm of debate involving neoliberal advocates, mercantilist critics, and radical critics, all of whom analyze and critique NAFTA in an effort to determine the success of free trade. Since NAFTA policies are evaluated by political economists with differing ideologies, the success of NAFTA’s first decade remains in question. After a decade, which economists herald NAFTA as a success and who disregards it as a failure? Which set of economic and political standards should be used to evaluate free trade? And ultimately, what policies should be implemeted in NAFTA’s second decade? Since there is little agreement on the future of NAFTA, it is wise to look to the past if we are to determine where the future may lead. By understanding the conflicting arguments inherent in debate on free trade, then perhaps we can better establish priorities and suggestions for policy reform in NAFTA’s second decade. Essentially, all disagreements in political economics stem from three theoretical perspectives: neoliberalsim, mercantilism, and radicalism. The three theories emphasize divergent characteristics associated with economic vitality: neoliberals emphasize market efficiency, mercantilists defend state sovereignty, and radicals value social justice. History has taught us that these theories regularly contradict each other and ultimately result in policy conflicts evidenced by countless case studies. Free trade and economic growth is a pressing concern for political economists, suggesting that little common ground can be found among the three theories. The first of the three political economy scholars are neoliberals, who reject government intervention in the economy through protectionist policies such as tariffs, subsidies, and quotas; rather, their focus is on overall economic growth as evidenced by increases in gross domestic product. Neoliberal advocates expected NAFTA to produce an increase in exports of goods and services, create additional jobs, expand foreign investment, and spur overall economic growth. These four expectations of free trade policy serve as a means of evaluation for neoliberals. Neoliberal standards of success are easy to understand: if NAFTA has produced more goods, jobs, investment, and overall profits, then NAFTA should be heralded as a success.

The Hessian Essay -- essays research papers

Living in a divided society based upon the religions of the Puritans and the Quakers, Evan Feversham sought out his own religious faith through his daily interactions with both religious groups. Evan Feversham was a very cynical man who had been witness to far to many wars and sorrowfulness. In a world already so full of hate and distress, he could no longer bear to witness such horrible acts of cruelty upon the suffering, yet he dealt with them each day being a doctor. He was a man of reason, attempting to solve his problems with plain and simple reasoning, for he did not believe in much anymore due to the events he had witnessed with his own eyes. From the very early ages of his life, Feversham had very little faith in God, for he felt that God had let him down by allowing the death of his father. From that point on, he had witnessed countless other deaths through participation in numerous wars and being a doctor. He was a man with very little faith in mankind, for all he saw were the death and misery that others inflicted upon each other. He began to lose more and more of his faith in God and began to reason more about why things happened and were the way there were. Through his daily interactions with both the Puritans and the Quakers, Evan Feversham appreciated both religious groups a bit better and picked up some of their religious beliefs. Dr. Feversham and Squire Hunt did not like each other a bit, for they shared different views about God’s word. â€Å"†¦and I say le...

Trinculo and Stephano of Shakespeares Tempest :: Tempest essays

Trinculo and Stephano of Shakespeare's Tempest Trinculo and Stephano though not major characters in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, serve a large role in the story itself. They mainly serve as the story's comic relief and they also contribute to demonstrating to the audience how evil has no boundaries. Much of the play revolves around Prospero's contempt for everyone who betrayed him, and Prospero forces the conspirators to a remote island. Trinculo and Stephano had nothing to do with the plot against Prospero, but end up being dragged along with the conspirators. Their parts were small but were probably the most interesting in the story. Trinculo and Stephano were primarily used for comic relief. Comic relief is very important because the story must be able to keep the audience interested. What better to make someone laugh than a pair of drunk servants. During the duration of the story their drunkenness causes them to do things that normally they wouldn't do. They blindly attempt to take on Prospero, a powerful sorcerer and scheme how to defeat and kill him. Who in their sober mind take on an all powerful sorcerer? This is quite amusing because it shows us how incredibly foolish we act when we are drunk. Of course their attempt to take on Prospero proves to be futile, instead they play dress up with his cloaks and when Prospero shows up, Stephano and Trinculo run for their lives and leave Calaban behind carrying the clothes they attempted to steal. Trinculo and Stephano were also quite amusing by being drunk throughout the entire story, they even stated that they wouldn't drink anything else until the wine ran out. "Tell not me. When the butt is out, we will drink a drop of water, not a drop before."(Tempest 288) Trinculo and Stephano also contribute to the play the idea that evil in men shows no boundaries. While Antonio and Ferdinand are making a plot to kill the King, Alonso, for power, Trinculo and Stephano are doing the same towards Prospero. They were enchanted by the story told by Calaban that they would become in charge of the island once Prospero was disposed of. Another display of their lack to purity comes in the speech by Trinculo on finding the resting Calaban. Trinculo stated that if he were back home that he would have people pay to see Calaban. "Were I in England now, as I once was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday Trinculo and Stephano of Shakespeare's Tempest :: Tempest essays Trinculo and Stephano of Shakespeare's Tempest Trinculo and Stephano though not major characters in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, serve a large role in the story itself. They mainly serve as the story's comic relief and they also contribute to demonstrating to the audience how evil has no boundaries. Much of the play revolves around Prospero's contempt for everyone who betrayed him, and Prospero forces the conspirators to a remote island. Trinculo and Stephano had nothing to do with the plot against Prospero, but end up being dragged along with the conspirators. Their parts were small but were probably the most interesting in the story. Trinculo and Stephano were primarily used for comic relief. Comic relief is very important because the story must be able to keep the audience interested. What better to make someone laugh than a pair of drunk servants. During the duration of the story their drunkenness causes them to do things that normally they wouldn't do. They blindly attempt to take on Prospero, a powerful sorcerer and scheme how to defeat and kill him. Who in their sober mind take on an all powerful sorcerer? This is quite amusing because it shows us how incredibly foolish we act when we are drunk. Of course their attempt to take on Prospero proves to be futile, instead they play dress up with his cloaks and when Prospero shows up, Stephano and Trinculo run for their lives and leave Calaban behind carrying the clothes they attempted to steal. Trinculo and Stephano were also quite amusing by being drunk throughout the entire story, they even stated that they wouldn't drink anything else until the wine ran out. "Tell not me. When the butt is out, we will drink a drop of water, not a drop before."(Tempest 288) Trinculo and Stephano also contribute to the play the idea that evil in men shows no boundaries. While Antonio and Ferdinand are making a plot to kill the King, Alonso, for power, Trinculo and Stephano are doing the same towards Prospero. They were enchanted by the story told by Calaban that they would become in charge of the island once Prospero was disposed of. Another display of their lack to purity comes in the speech by Trinculo on finding the resting Calaban. Trinculo stated that if he were back home that he would have people pay to see Calaban. "Were I in England now, as I once was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday

Kite Runner Connections with Skrzynecki Essay

The Kite Runner is set in Afghanistan, about a young boy named Amir who feels that he must win the kite tournament in order to redeem himself to his father. Because his mother died while giving birth to Amir he feels somehow responsible for his mother’s death. His servant is his best friend, Hassan, who runs the kite for him. Amir feels as though he is not acknowledged or accepted by his father, therefore not feeling a sense of belonging when Baba (father) shows his love toward Hassan. This motivates Amir to not do anything about Hassan’s rape which later leaves him with guilt. Those who do not belong may commit acts that are not within their desire in order to belong. For example, after Hassan was raped Amir lied to his father saying that Hassan stole his watch and money from him causing them to be kicked out of their house as servants. Amir’s thoughts were that once Hassan had left, Baba’s love would be pointed toward him only, hence giving him a deeper sense of belonging to his father. Hassan on the other hand felt as though he belonged to the Afghan home of Baba and Amir even as a servant as he is treated with the same respect as the members of the family. However being Hazara’s, a minority ethnic group, Hassan would not have felt a sense of belonging on the macro scale for the reason that his rape was motivated due to the ethnic group he is from i.e. the minority in Afghanistan who are continuously discriminated against. After the Soviets invaded Afghanistan the country became a war-zone causing Amir and Baba to flee the country leaving all the memories and reminiscences in their country. Connections are shown with several of Skrzynecki’s poems, for example, St Patricks College. In St Patricks College it is signified that the poet has been at his school â€Å"for eight years† however he has still formed no sense of belonging. This connects with the relationship that Amir has with his father, Baba. Baba has raised Amir on his own for almost a decade however Amir feels as though Baba does not love him causing him to feel an insignificant amount of belonging.

Romeo and Juliet Fate Essay

Some believe that whatever happens during the course of their lives is inevitable and every event destined and laid out before them like a map to their life; in other words, fate. Fate is defined as a force, principle or power that predetermines events, it is the inevitable events that are destined by this force. Why do Romeo and Juliet meet? Why do Mercutio and Tybalt have to die? Why does Juliet awaken seconds after Romeo dies?These occurrences are caused by fate. Romeo and Juliet's fates were linked from the beginning. In the Prologue it states â€Å"A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life†. This sentence expresses that from the start that the fate of Romeo and Juliet was written in the stars, and they were cursed to death. In the play, fate directs the lives of the characters. Secondly, it foreshadows events that were yet to come. Lastly, the characters are aware that they are controlled by their destiny and fate. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fat e plays a significant role.Fate directs the lives of the characters in the play. Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting isn’t purely coincidental. A servant of Capulet crosses paths with Romeo and Benvolio, and invites them to the Capulet party, not knowing that they are Montagues. â€Å"My master is the great rich Capulet, and, if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine† (I. ii. 78-80). It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulet servant and learn of the party. It is not just an accident that the servant tells the two cousins about the party at which Romeo is destined, yet still unaware, that he will meet his one true love. Also, it is not by coincidence that Friar John is unable to deliver the letter of Friar Lawrence’s plans to Romeo. It is destined for Balthasar to tell Romeo that Juliet had died. â€Å"Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, And her immortal part with angels lives† (V.i. 18-19).Even thou gh he says what he believes is true and had good intentions, Balthasar’s news is the cause of the tragedy. He is the final piece of Romeo’s puzzle of fate. Romeo, being oblivious to Friar Lawrence’s plan, returns to Verona only to take his life next to his â€Å"dead† wife. In the play, fate controls the paths of life of the characters. Fate is an omen for bad things to come various times during the story. The first time fate foretells the future was before the Capulet ball. Romeo has a strange feeling before he arrives to the party; he says:Some  consequence, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels, and expire the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death (I.iv.107-111)Romeo predicted that fate isn’t on his side that night; going to the party would set Romeo on a life altering course which would lead to his utter demise. The death of both Romeo and J uliet is the â€Å"consequence† Romeo speaks about. Another prime example of foreshadowing by fate is the last time Romeo and Juliet meet being alive and well. Juliet proclaims â€Å" O God, I have an ill-divining soul†(III.v.54); it is God’s will that her soul forebodes evil and malice. Juliet then remarks that it appears as though Romeo is in a tomb and that he looks deathly pale. Romeo’s death is envisioned yet again, making it impossible to deny that his fate will lead him to any other outcome. Fate is a harbinger of Romeo and Juliet’s definite future: death. Characters believe that fate controls their destiny.This realization is made by Romeo after fighting and killing Tybalt, he says â€Å"O, I am fortune's fool.†(III.i.135). Romeo is upset over slaying Tybalt, subsequently destroying his future with Juliet and the possibility of ceasing the feud between the two families. He sees himself as a subject to his â€Å"fortune† or fat e, and recognizes that he cannot control his actions. Later on, when Romeo learns of Juliet’s apparent death, he exclaims â€Å"Then I defy you, stars!†(V.i.24). Romeo tries to oppose the stars, or fate by expressing his independence by saying that he is in charge of his own life and that he is not ruled by some fixed series of events.However, Romeo cannot change his fate and everything that happened to him was going to happen no matter what and he was destined to fall in love and come to an unfortunate end. Committing suicide next to his love Juliet is exactly what fate had in store for him. In the end, Romeo did the opposite of defying his fate by fulfilling it. In conclusion, in Romeo and Juliet, fate plays a powerful and meaningful role. Fate has a plan laid out for each character. It is a prediction of the couple’s doomed and tragic end. Also, the characters are aware that their life’s course is decided for them by fate.As Lemony Snicket once said â €Å"Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.† ; Nobody will truly know what fate has in mind for them; every experience and outcome happens for a reason. Whether it is good or bad, fate will always get its way no matter the cost. Romeo and Juliet Fate Essay Some believe that whatever happens during the course of their lives is inevitable and every event destined and laid out before them like a map to their life; in other words, fate. Fate is defined as a force, principle or power that predetermines events, it is the inevitable events that are destined by this force. Why do Romeo and Juliet meet? Why do Mercutio and Tybalt have to die? Why does Juliet awaken seconds after Romeo dies? These occurrences are caused by fate. Romeo and Juliet's fates were linked from the beginning.In the Prologue it states â€Å"A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life†. This sentence expresses that from the start that the fate of Romeo and Juliet was written in the stars, and they were cursed to death. In the play, fate directs the lives of the characters. Secondly, it foreshadows events that were yet to come. Lastly, the characters are aware that they are controlled by their destiny and fate. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fat e plays a significant role. Fate directs the lives of the characters in the play.Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting isn’t purely coincidental. A servant of Capulet crosses paths with Romeo and Benvolio, and invites them to the Capulet party, not knowing that they are Montagues. â€Å"My master is the great rich Capulet, and, if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine† (I. ii. 78-80). It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulet servant and learn of the party. It is not just an accident that the servant tells the two cousins about the party at which Romeo is destined, yet still unaware, that he will meet his one true love.Also, it is not by coincidence that Friar John is unable to deliver the letter of Friar Lawrence’s plans to Romeo. It is destined for Balthasar to tell Romeo that Juliet had died. â€Å"Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, And her immortal part with angels lives† (V. i. 18-19). Even tho ugh he says what he believes is true and had good intentions, Balthasar’s news is the cause of the tragedy. He is the final piece of Romeo’s puzzle of fate. Romeo, being oblivious to Friar Lawrence’s plan, returns to Verona only to take his life next to his â€Å"dead† wife. In the play, fate controls the paths of life of the characters.Fate is an omen for bad things to come various times during the story. The first time fate foretells the future was before the Capulet ball. Romeo has a strange feeling before he arrives to the party; he says: Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels, and expire the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death (I. iv. 107-111) Romeo predicted that fate isn’t on his side that night; going to the party would set Romeo on a life altering course which would lead to his utter demise.The death of both Romeo and J uliet is the â€Å"consequence† Romeo speaks about. Another prime example of foreshadowing by fate is the last time Romeo and Juliet meet being alive and well. Juliet proclaims â€Å" O God, I have an ill-divining soul†(III. v. 54); it is God’s will that her soul forebodes evil and malice. Juliet then remarks that it appears as though Romeo is in a tomb and that he looks deathly pale. Romeo’s death is envisioned yet again, making it impossible to deny that his fate will lead him to any other outcome. Fate is a harbinger of Romeo and Juliet’s definite future: death.Characters believe that fate controls their destiny. This realization is made by Romeo after fighting and killing Tybalt, he says â€Å"O, I am fortune's fool. â€Å"(III. i. 135). Romeo is upset over slaying Tybalt, subsequently destroying his future with Juliet and the possibility of ceasing the feud between the two families. He sees himself as a subject to his â€Å"fortune† o r fate, and recognizes that he cannot control his actions. Later on, when Romeo learns of Juliet’s apparent death, he exclaims â€Å"Then I defy you, stars! †(V. i. 24).Romeo tries to oppose the stars, or fate by expressing his independence by saying that he is in charge of his own life and that he is not ruled by some fixed series of events. However, Romeo cannot change his fate and everything that happened to him was going to happen no matter what and he was destined to fall in love and come to an unfortunate end. Committing suicide next to his love Juliet is exactly what fate had in store for him. In the end, Romeo did the opposite of defying his fate by fulfilling it. In conclusion, in Romeo and Juliet, fate plays a powerful and meaningful role.Fate has a plan laid out for each character. It is a prediction of the couple’s doomed and tragic end. Also, the characters are aware that their life’s course is decided for them by fate. As Lemony Snicket once said â€Å"Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like. † ; Nobody will truly know what fate has in mind for them; every experience and outcome happens for a reason. Whether it is good or bad, fate will always get its way no matter the cost.