Business concepts 2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business concepts 2 - Coursework Example The first role is the provision of technological supervision in the corporation, which does not only entail the supervision of the other IT specialists but also the information systems and the communications networks. The CIO also oversees the development and execution of an excellent customer service platform relative to the organization’s practices. He/she also liaises with management teams and organizational leaders on any IT-related alterations, advances or probable approaches to enhance communication. Additionally, still under communication, the CIO maintains the corporate network infrastructure for utter connectivity and remote access. Other roles of the CIO entail participation in vendor contract negotiations, assessing and anticipating technology projects, and establishing and directing strategic and tactical objectives, initiatives and practices in the IT department. Finally, the top-level management also requires the CIO to flourish in the identification of user need s and resolution of problems. The core roles of the Information Department, relative to the name, entail dealing with most, if not all, of the organization’s information. The first significant role entails planning, where members in the department work with the Chief Information Officer in developing an IT approach supporting the corporate culture and objectives (Linton, 2015). The planning role of the department helps in building a resilient advantage over the rest of the competitors, which they achieve through customization of software and computer systems significant in meeting needs of other organization’s departments. Networking is also among the roles of the department as it is the backbone of efficient communication and collaboration between departments. The IT departments operations mostly relate to the organization networks and ways of making it more efficient. As modules of the network system, the IT department, through the different teams, engages in

Legal Issues and the Role of Nurse Manager Essay

Legal Issues and the Role of Nurse Manager - Essay Example Failure to use due care can be considered as negligent behavior. Failure to meet standard of care, which results in injury to the patient, can make the medical professional liable for resulting damages. The medical professional can be a doctor, a nurse, or a health care provider. Causation helps determine whether the medical professional's carelessness caused injury. It is the most difficult element of negligence to prove and so courts have sometimes resorted to the theory of res ipsa loquitor. Three conditions for the application of res ipsa loquitur are "Personal injury" cases are legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, and someone else might be legally responsible for that harm. Injury, which occurs due to someone's negligence in the patient's treatment, forms the basis of claim and lawsuit Negligence is failure to guard against risk of harm to others and imposes liability on whoever is responsible for negligence. In order to prove that negligence has occurred, the following criterion needs to be met and proven in a court of law: In the given case harm has occurred to the patient who fractured her hand. The nurse, nurse manager and the hospital owe the duty of care to the patient and have failed in discharging their duty successfully. Who is liable and to what extent, demands an evaluation of the circumstances, which caused the injury to the patient. This idea of evaluation of circumstances is common in healthcare. It has been noted that, "although a particular action or omission may be the immediate cause of an incident, closer analysis usually reveals a series of events and departures from safe practice, each influenced by the working environment and the wider organisational context. This more complex picture is gaining acceptance in health care" (Vincent et al, 2000). The omission may or may not be purely an act of carelessness; it could be a result of how work processes are organised making the nurse manager and hospital more liable, than the nurse who may not be a direct cause of injury. The fact that in her chart the nurse has documented that "this would not have happened if I had been present to help her" establishes that the nurse made a mistake. However one also needs to consider whether this mistake is truly negligence. This calls for an evaluation of the circumstances in which the injury occurred. Two situations are discussed below: Situation 1.: Delay in response because nurse was gossiping/careless/did not see the call light or failed to stick to the

Pro Abortion Essay Example for Free

Pro Abortion Essay INTRODUCTION Termination of fetus before death of the child can be defined as Pro-abortion. In the case of Roe Vs Wade, the Supreme Court had given its decision allowing the abortions in the first six months of pregnancy of period. Pro-abortion is a right of the women. The abortion is legalized from January 22, 1973 in all fifty states of Unites States. The Rose Vs Wade is foundation for pro-abortion in United States. The women rights groups and pro-abortion supporters welcomed the decision. But some of the opponents started the pro-life movement demanding abortion restrictions. Before 1973 abortion is not subject to United States constitution law. It was the matter for the individual states. So abortion was illegal if it is made after four months of pregnancy. Due to the efforts of American Medical Association anti-abortion laws have been come into force around 1900. Â  With the familiar case of Roe Vs Wade where a woman challenged the Texas laws, the U.S.Supreme Court made the following conclusions: 1. The abortion law not belongs to state issue and it is subject to Constitution of United States i.e. federal constitutional law. 2. The procurement of abortion was a constitutional right. Previous to the Roe Vs Wade, majority states in the United States of America prohibited the abortion with an exception when the life of women in threat. But the Supreme Court allowed in the case of Roe Vs Wade that woman has constitutional right for the pro abortion of first six of pregnancy. The pro-abortion would be safer and involve less complication. It is noticed that at about 89% abortions performed in the United States during 1995. All such abortions under taken in the early stage only i.e. with in the first 12-13 weeks after the last menstrual period. Since early days, the abortion was illegal and it is recommended only when life of mother is in danger. Later on the legislation developed as woman has constitutional right for the abortion of first six months of pregnancy. Accordingly the Supreme Court also given judgment stating that States could restrict the abortions of last 3 months of pregnancy. Here the last 3 months period is crucial stage, where the life fetus will be developed. REASONS The reasons for pro abortion for the woman may be various such as pregnancy without marriage, having already children, possibility of getting disabled children etc. whatever the reason, it is a legalized right to the woman to have abortion according to her choice and others should not influence on this issue. Sometimes mother’s health would be in danger due to the pregnancy. PRO-ABORTION VS PRO-CHOICE Pro-abortion is linked with pro-choice. Abortion itself indicates it is selection of choice; hence it can be termed as pro-choice. Though anti-abortion still it exists pro-choice. Pro-choice means the women would be in a position to allow or not to allow the child. So pro-choice can be termed as pro-abortion. Pro-abortion or pro-choice both linked with the women rights as it affects her own body. In the early days, the abortion became a crime for many reasons. Until 1800, there were no legislations and women themselves trained and gave training to other women for abortions. There will be no guarantee for the women to get the abortions though Roe Vs Wade gave the clear decision and legalizing the abortion within six months of the pregnancy. Illiterate women may not be able to access the necessary medical assistance. Even women who had access to legal abortion, yet they may face severe infections. Hence pro-abortion is unwanted by women though they desire. STATUS OF UNBORN CHILD DURING PRO-ABORTION Unborn child is not part of the body of mother. The unborn child lives in mother. The pro-abortion is killing of the human being with legal support for the reasons whether valid or invalid. But the unborn child is human. One way it is correct to save the mother’s life, and then it can be accepted. But for other reasons the pro-abortion is not correct. The unborn child is in the mother’s body but it is not part of the mother’s body. Hence the unborn child has separate independent status. The unborn child has right to life and this right should not be infringed by any right except the mother’s life in danger. Since unborn child is not part of the body, it has right to come outside. In case raped women also, the unborn child should not be killed. Killing of child is nothing. It is a punishment to the child for the sins of parent. Instead if birth is given to the child, it can be given for adoption since millions of couples waiting for adoption of babies. Such couples are bothered about the health of babies and nothing else. Hence pro-abortion should not be allowed or legalized for raped victims. Due to the following reasons the pro-abortion is not allowed in the rape cases. 1. It will be capital punishment to the unborn child who is innocent. 2. Allowing such abortion for other’s crime (i.e. father) 3. The right of life of the unborn child is infringed. 4. Rape is one wrong and giving punishment to the child is another wrong. PRO-LIFE SUPPORTERS VS PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES Though the Supreme Court given its decision that pro-abortion is legal, yet the American people believe that pro-abortion is wrong. The pro-abortion supporters argue that the baby is in the mother is not the child and it is not a human. The human can only be identified when they come outside. So it is not killing. They further argue that abortion should be legal at any stage that unborn child is not a human being and did not deserve any legal protection. In the United States the persons have limited rights only. Suppose if any person takes drugs beyond the limit are not acceptable though the drugs disturb her/his own body. Similarly prostitution also. In both the cases, it is their own body, yet they cannot go beyond the limit. Hence in the pregnant women also it is wrong to argue that women only should have complete control on her body with regard to abortion. The inside bay is not part of the women but it is separate identity. So keeping the pro-abortion will be invalid. It is true that women have the right to take own decision about her pregnancy and abortion and at the same time the women did not have any right to kill the child. The Pro-choice supporters argue with respect to the woman’s reproductive rights, which includes right to choose of abortion. Whereas the Pro-life advocates opposes and argue the abortion should not be accepted unless the mother’s life in threat. The pro-abortion groups express that abortion should be legal because the unborn baby is not really human being and hence no legal protection. When there is no legal protection, the unborn person cannot occupy the mother’s body without prior consent. CONCLUSION The era of legalized abortions in the country passed thirty-five years since the issue of Roe Vs Wade decision by Supreme Court. The media created false impression that everybody supported the abortion and finally abortion become a big industry in the United States. The pro-life supporters are encouraging the abortion whereas the Pro-life advocates are advocating with religious matters. The tradition and cultural make the women that their right over child should not be infringed. They thought that it is their own reproductive right about the abortion. Due to the abortion laws, many people in the U.S. are not able to adopt the children, as so many children being killed through abortions. The unexpected pregnancy leads to abortion, which gives the capital punishment to the unborn children. Â  Whether Fetus (unborn baby) has a right to be in the womb of woman? It can be yes as long as woman’s life is not in threat. But it is not right; it is permission to the Fetus to stay in the womb. The abortion is not violation of right. When the woman has a right to choose to have sexual relation with any other person, it is also right of woman to choose what and what cannot remain inside her body. Hence it is purely women’s decision. But fetus is human being as it has complete set of human DNA, however fetus did not have physiological independence. REFERENCE: 1. http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/pro-abortion.htm 2. http://www.abortionisprolife.com/statistics.htm 3. http://riawibisono.wordpress.com/2007/03/25/abortion-pro-life-or-pro-choice/ 4. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/6221/debate.html 5. http://www.friesian.com/abortion.htm 6. http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2008/01/18/abortion/ 7. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761595572/Roe_v_Wade.html 8. http://www.capitalism.org/faq/abortion.htm 9. http://mindprod.com/politics/abortion.html 10. Author Jay Johansen, http://www.pregnantpause.org/abort/choice-abort.htm 11. Elizabeth Ross, Pro-Choice Editor http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49318.asp

Financial Ratio Analysis And Industry Averages Finance Essay

Financial Ratio Analysis And Industry Averages Finance Essay The price earning P/E ratio shows how attractive a firms stock is for investment. The P/E of Etisalat has increased from previous year 2009 which shows that in 2010 Etisalat has become more attractive for investments. Profitability Ratios Return on Common Equity (ROCE or ROE) ROE = Earnings after Tax à · Equity Shareholders fund x 100 This ratio shows the rate of return of the risk takers also referred to as the stockholders (Sinha, 2009). The ratio shows the stockholders or investors the rate of return of their investments in stocks of Etisalat. The following table shows the ROE ratio for Etisalat: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Profitability ROE 20.41 22.17 The above table clearly shows that the rate of return for the shareholders of Etisalat has reduced from 22.17% in 2009 to 20.41% in 2010. Therefore the risk of investment in stocks of Etisalat has increased in 2010 comparing with the ratio of 2009. ROA (Return on Total Assets) Return on Total Assets (ROA) = (Net Income à · Total Assets) x 100 Higher ROA indicates the higher return on Assets, this ratio must be above the industry average to show greater returns on Assets (Brigham Houston, 2009). Note: another reason for a low ROA could also indicate the intentional use of debt for financing activities of a firm. The following table shows the ROA calculated for Etisalat. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Profitability ROA 9.74 12.40 The ROA for Etisalat has reduced in 2010 to 9.74% from 12.40% in 2009, which shows the reduced rate of return on assets, indicating the poor performance of Etisalat also showing the use of debt by the firm. Liquidity Ratios: Current ratio Current Ratio = Current Assets à · Current Liabilities The ratio shows the weak or stronger liquidity position of a firm, higher the current liabilities lower the current ratio and vice versa. The calculated ratios of Etisalat are shown in the following table: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Liquidity Current Ratio 0.79 0.83 The liquidity position of Etisalat has reduce negatively when comparing current ratio of 0.79x in 2010 with 0.83x in 2009, consequently the ability of Etisalat to convert its assets into cash has reduced. Quick Ratio Quick, or acid test, ratio = (Current assets Inventories) à · Current Liabilities Quick Ratio also depicts the liquidity position of the firm to pay off short-term liabilities without relying on sales (inventories). The following table shows the calculated Quick Ratio for Etisalat. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Liquidity Quick Ratio 0.78 0.82 Acid test of Etisalat revealed that the liquidity of the firm to pay shot-term liabilities has reduced from 0.82x in 2009 to 0.78x in 2010. Asset Management Ratios Inventory Turnover Ratio Inventory Turnover Ratio = Sales à · Inventories This ratio shows the number of times inventories are turned over into sales, and higher value shows that the inventories are being held for longer times. The Inventory turnover ratio of Etisalat is shown by the following table. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Asset Management Inventory Turnover Ratio 100.96 115.03 The ratios in the table clearly show the ability of Etisalat to convert inventories into sales has increased shown by declining Inventory Turnover Ratio of 100.96x in 2010 from 115.03x in 2009. Debt Management Ratios Total Debt to Total Assets Debt ratio = Total Debt à · Total Assets This ratio shows in percentage the risk level faced by the firm, the debt ratio of Etisalat is shown with the help of following table: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Debt Management Total Debt to Total Assets Ratio 6.34 4.52 The values in the table above show that the risk of investing in Etisalat has increased from 4.52% in 2009 to 6.34% in 2010. Financial Profile Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC and its Subsidiary The financial profile of Emirates Telecommunication is presented by the data retrieved from financial statements of the firm. Financial Ratio Analysis Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC and its Subsidiary 2010 and 2009 Data retrieved from the Financial Statements 2010 2009 AED000 AED000 Current Assets 4,671,779 2,224,887 Total Assets 12,519,678 9,531,905 Current Liabilities 6,441,462 3,676,842 Total Liabilities 7,423,911 6,740,365 Inventories 47,300 38,931 Sales Revenue 7,074,097 5,338,699 Interest 102,199 12,998 EPS AED 0.31 AED 0.06 N.I. 1,310,431 264,124 Market Value Per Share AED 2.72 AED 2.79 Total Shareholder Equity 5,095,767 2,791,540 Total Debt 904,735 3,000,000 The ratio analysis is conducted on the basis of data retrieved in the table bove. Ratio Analysis of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC and its Subsidiary: Market Value Ratios: P/E Ratio (P/E) Price/Earnings Ratio = Market Price Per Common Share à · Earnings Per Share The share price of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications for the year ended 31 December, 2009 was AED 2.786 and 31 December, 2010 AED 2.72 (Bloomberg, 2013). The following table shows the calculated P/E for Etisalat. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Market Value P/E 8.77 46.43 The price earning P/E ratio shows how attractive a firms stock is for investment. The P/E of Emirates Telecommunication has reduced drastically from previous year 46.43x in 2009 to 8.77x in 2010 which shows that in 2010 Emirates Telecommunication has become less attractive for investments. Profitability Ratios Return on Common Equity (ROCE or ROE) ROE = Earnings after Tax à · Equity Shareholders fund x 100 This ratio shows the stockholders or investors the rate of return of their investments in stocks of Emirates Telecommunication. The following table shows the ROE ratio for Emirates Telecommunication: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Profitability ROE 25.72 9.46 The above table clearly shows that the rate of return for the shareholders of Emirates Telecommunication has increased from 9.46% in 2009 to 25.72% in 2010. Therefore the risk of investment in stocks of Emirates has reduced in 2010 comparing with the ratio of 2009. ROA (Return on Total Assets) Return on Total Assets (ROA) = (Net Income à · Total Assets) x 100 The following table shows the ROA calculated for Emirates Telecommunication. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Profitability ROA 10.47 2.77 The ROA for Emirates Telecommunication has increased in 2010 to 10.47% from 2.77% in 2009, which shows the increased rate of return on assets. Liquidity Ratios: Current ratio Current Ratio = Current Assets à · Current Liabilities The calculated current ratio for Emirates Telecommunication are shown in the following table: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Liquidity Current Ratio 0.73 0.61 The liquidity position of Emirates Telecommunication has reduce negatively when comparing current ratio of 0.73x in 2010 with 0.61x in 2009, consequently the ability of Emirates Telecommunication to convert its assets into cash has reduced. Quick Ratio Quick, or acid test, ratio = (Current assets Inventories) à · Current Liabilities The following table shows the calculated Quick Ratio for Emirates Telecommunication. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Liquidity Quick Ratio 0.72 0.59 Acid test of Emirates Telecommunication revealed that the liquidity position of the firm to pay shot-term liabilities has increased from 0.59x in 2009 to 0.72x in 2010, which shows that Emirates Telecommunication is more liquid in 2010. Asset Management Ratios Inventory Turnover Ratio Inventory Turnover Ratio = Sales à · Inventories The Inventory turnover ratio of Emirates Telecommunication is shown by the following table. Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Asset Management Inventory Turnover Ratio 149.56 137.13 The ratios in the table clearly show the ability of Emirates Telecommunication to convert inventories into sales has decreased shown by increasing Inventory Turnover Ratio of 149.56x in 2010 from 137.13x in 2009. Debt Management Ratios Total Debt to Total Assets Debt ratio = Total Debt à · Total Assets The debt ratio of Emirates Telecommunication is shown with the help of following table: Financial Ratios 2010 2009 Debt Management Total Debt to Total Assets Ratio 0.07 0.31 The values in the table above show that the risk of investing in Emirates Telecommunication has reduced from 0.31% in 2009 to 0.07% in 2010. Industry Averages in Telecommunication Industry UAE The industry averages of the telecommunication for P/E, ROE, ROA, Debt Ratio and Current Ratio are: P/E P/E Industry Average Telecommunication Industry UAE 2009 2010 P/E Etisalat 9.69 10.31 P/E Emirates 46.43 8.77 2009 2010 P/E Industry Average 28.06 9.54 ROE ROE 2009 2010 Etisalat 22.17 20.41 Emirates 9.46 25.72 2009 2010 ROE Industry Average 15.815 23.065 ROA ROA 2009 2010 Etisalat 12.4 9.74 Emirates 2.77 10.47 2009 2010 ROA Industry Average 7.585 10.105 Debt Ratio Debt Ratio 2009 2010 Etisalat 4.52 6.34 Emirates 0.31 0.07 2009 2010 Industry Average 2.415 3.205 Current Ratio Current Ratio 2009 2010 Etisalat 0.83 0.79 Emirates 0.61 0.73 2009 2010 Industry Average 0.72 0.76

Searching for the Perfect World in Literature :: Granny Weatherall Raven Candide

Searching for the Perfect World in Literature Literature often explores the questions raised in life: Who are we? What does it mean to die? What kind of world do we live in? Throughout this course, there seems to have been an underlying theme in most of the works that have been read, concerning human misery. It seems that most of those who experience tremendous suffering, actually allow it to happen to themselves. If one chooses to look at the losses in life, one may never find true happiness, but if one chooses to perceive those losses as an opportunity for growth, one may find the "perfect world" right here. In Poe’s, "The Raven," this idea is supported. As the poem demonstrates, one may torture himself into a life of melancholy and madness if one focuses on the losses in life. The thoughts of Lenore would not go away for him. By focusing on what he did not have, rather than what he did, he went mad. The raven answers his self-destroying questions until ultimately it becomes a permanent fixture in the room -- a symbol of the narrator's self-inflicted mental and spiritual collapse. Rather than to accept the loss and move on, he focused on what did not have and would nevar have. Therefore, he did not find the perfect world, but rather a hell on Earth. Perhaps people are faced with these experiences as tests. Our own reaction to it determines whether we pass or fail. Do we appreciate what we do have and learn from the experience or do we feel sorry for ourselves and let it drag us down? Granny Weatherall is an example of someone who let it drag her down. For 60 years she had pined over the loss of George and it made her miserable. She never stopped to look and see what was already there in her life. John was not a bad husband, but she did not even notice because she was still focusing on the loss of being jilted by George. She overlooked any good things In her life because of this misery. Something that happened 60 years ago haunted her for every day of her miserable life (because she allowed it to), until it eventually killed her.

Leukemia and Its Treatment Essay -- Cancel Health Medical

Leukemia is something that we hear about a lot. I believe that people do not understand exactly what leukemia is and how dangerous it can be, I chose this topic to try to help them understand. In this paper I will explain what leukemia is and what treatments you can choose from to treat the cancer. Leukemia is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that have two or more important things in common. One is that certain cells in the body become abnormal. Another is that the body keeps producing large numbers of these abnormal cells. Leukemia is cancer of the blood ce3lls. When leukemia develops the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells. In most types of leukemia, the abnormal blood cells and they do not function properly.(Cancer compass 10)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are two major groups of leukemia they are grouped based on how fast they spread. Acute leukemia is a cancer that starts in the organs that makes blood, namely the bone marrow and the lymph system. Acute leukemia spreads very quickly. Chronic leukemia is when many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Depending on the type of white blood cell that is involved chronic leukemia can be classified as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia. Chronic leukemia spreads slowly.( Longe,186)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many different types of treatment for leukemia the one that you receive depends on what stage the cancer is in and what kind of leukemia you have. Chemotherapy is one form of...

Conflict ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Essay

How important is the theme of conflict in the play Romeo and Juliet? Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, is the most famous love story in English literature. However love isn’t the only theme that runs through the play. Shakespeare makes this typical love story more striking when he pits the romance in the context of family feuds, fights and deaths. The issue of conflict is as central to this play as the issues of love/honour/betrayal and death. It should come as no surprise that Shakespeare would include conflicts in this play as otherwise the play would simply be a dull statement on teenage love. Adding the conflicts highlights the tensions that the teenagers feel between their attachments to their own families and each other. Also, adding the conflict is important for dramatic effect. We see this clearly in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet but also see it in many modern forms of storytelling, such as film. The film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is another example of two star-crossed lovers struggling to be together against their family’s wishes. The conflict in the film is between brothers, but also with others outside the characters immediate families. The dramatic effect of the conflict has the audience on the edge of their seat, willing the pair to escape their terrible lives of abuse and live happily ever after. Slumdog is Romeo and Juliet for the 21st Century.As in Shakespeare’s play, in Slumdog the audience are told what will happen in the story by way of a prologue The prologue in Romeo and Juliet tells the audience the story and the ending (the two lovers will mend their family feuds by taking their own lives) â€Å"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes. A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. .† The prologue is an unusual storytelling device as it reveals the end of the story at the beginning. But it also draws the audience is to know why the lovers take their own lives and the audience remains shocked by that event, despite being warned about it. In Bas Learhmann’s film the audience is surprised when Juliet wakes from her sleep to find Romeo lying dead next to her. Her reaction of killing herself is a shocking ending to the film (play) despite the audience knowing what is coming. In Shakespeare’s prologue the  Chorus describes two noble households in the city of Verona. The houses hold an â€Å"ancient grudge† against each other that remains a source of violent and bloody conflict. The audience are told that the families live in â€Å"Fair Verona† and who the main characters in the play are. So within a few minutes of the play commencing the audience (reader) is primed with enough information to generate an interest to read on. The first scene comes immediately after the prologue and Shakespeare commences the scene with two Capulet servants (Sampson and Gregory) who talk about the conflict between the two family’s. It is interesting that even though they are servants (â€Å"Slaves†) they say that the family’s feud is their feud: The quarrel is between our masters and us their men It is important to remember that the play is written at a time when servants were obliged to honour their masters, and that included laying down their life for their ‘betters’. The tone of the conversation between the two servants replicates the conflict that we hear about in the prologue. Shakespeare has established a thread for the reader to follow here. The violence of the conflict is clear when the two servants talk of what they will do to the Montague women once they defeat the Montague men. Brutalising the women of a defeated enemy is something that has happened throughout history. True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall The public brawl started by Tybalt is joined by members of both families, including the Montague and Capulet ‘fathers’. Seeing old enemy (Montague) Capulet says to his wife: My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me. The street fighting and hatred between the Capulets and Montagues is only one form of conflict in Shakespeare’s play. Shakespeare’s writing about conflict extends to Juliet’s family too. In Act 3 Scene 5 Juliet is told  by her mother that she will marry. Juliet’s unhappiness at this arranged marriage (she is told to report to the church on Thursday) leads to a conflict with her father who calls her a ‘young baggage and disobedient wench’. The family conflict repeats one faced by some young women whose husbands are chosen for them. This cultural obligation is also made clear by Juliet’s mother when she says to Juliet that by the age of 14 (Juliet’s age at the time of the play) she was already pregnant with Juliet. The tradition of marrying girls off young, and to wealthy older men, has largely been overcome in some communities, however, in others it still creates tension. Sometimes with tragic outcomes. The theme of conflict is important in this play because it reflects the type of social conditions that existed at the time that Shakespeare wrote his play. It is interesting that although our social conditions have changed, the underlying themes and circumstances here could apply to our society today. Young, violent, men fighting over territory/honour and (like Tybalt) being killed in the crossfire. Shakespeare’s decision to talk about the unfairness of Juliet’s father’s insistence that she marry, may be a brave attempt to raise the issue of forced marriage. But, alternatively, it could also be seen as a source of gaiety and merriment for the Shakespearean audience. Despite some really difficult language, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a play that transcends time in terms of its underlying themes. This makes the play as relevant now as it was when it was first played.