Coffee and Starbucks Essay Example for Free

Coffee and Starbucks Essay †¢ In 2006, the US based Starbucks Coffee Company, with over 11,000 stores in 36 countries was the No. 1 specialty coffee company in the world. †¢ Every week over 40 million customers visited Starbucks coffeehouses. †¢ After phenomenal success in the US, and revolutionizing specialty coffee culture, Starbucks undertook international expansion and popularized its specialty coffee worldwide. †¢ In the 1990s, Starbucks concentrated its expansion efforts mainly in Asia. The initial pages of the case delineate the origin and growth of Starbucks as a company and a super brand and the strategies adopted by it. †¢ In 2002, Starbucks announced that it was planning to enter India. Later it postponed its entry as it had entered China recently and was facing problems in Japan. †¢ In 2003, there was news again that Starbucks was reviving its plans to enter India. †¢ In 2004, Starbucks officials visited India but according to sources they returned unconvinced as they could not crystallize on an appropriate partner for its entry. †¢ In mid 2006, Starbucks announced that they were all set to offer the ‘Starbucks experience’ to Indians in the next 18 months. II. STRATEGIC POSTURE 1. MISSION. †¢ To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. †¢ Expansion to Asia market 2. OBJECTIVES †¢ â€Å"We are looking forward to offering the finest coffee in the world, handcrafted beverages, and the unique starbucks experience† †¢ Our Coffee – â€Å"It has always been, and will always be, about quality. We’re passionate about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great care, and improving the lives of people who grow them. We care deeply about all of this; our work is never done. † †¢ Our Partners – â€Å"We’re called partners, because it’s not just a job, it’s our passion. Together, we embrace diversity to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. We always treat each other with respect and dignity. And we hold each other to that standard. † †¢ Our Customers – â€Å"When we are fully engaged, we connect with, laugh with, and uplift the lives of our customers – even if just for a few moments. Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. It’s really about human connection. † †¢ Our Stores – â€Å"When our customers feel this sense of belonging, our stores become a haven, a break from the worries outside, a place where you can meet with friends. It’s about enjoyment at the speed of life – sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity. † †¢ Our Neighborhood – â€Å"Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action – bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day. Now we see that our responsibility – and our potential for good – is even larger. The world is looking to Starbucks to set the new standard, yet again. We will lead. † †¢ Our Shareholders – â€Å"We know that as we deliver in each of these areas, we enjoy the kind of success that rewards our shareholders. We are fully accountable to get each of these elements right so that Starbucks – and everyone it touches – can endure and thrive. † 3. STRATEGIES †¢ International expand through joint ventures, licenses or by company own operation †¢ Building critical relationship to gaining additional market knowledge with government †¢ Consistency on service and product †¢ Postioning in Premium market 4. POLICIES †¢ India had embarked on a series of economic reforms since 1991 that had ersulted in higher growth rates, lower inflation, and significant increase in foreign investment †¢ Indian government permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 51% in retail trade of single-brand products with prior government approval. III. STRATEGIC MANAGERS a. BOARD OF DIRECTORS |Howard Schultz |William (Bill) Bradley | |Starbucks |Allen Company LLC | |founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer |managing director | |Robert M. Gates |Mellody Hobson | |former Secretary of Defense |Ariel Investments, LLC | | |president | |Kevin Johnson |Olden Lee | |Juniper Networks, Inc. |PepsiCo, Inc. | |chief executive officer |retired executive | |Joshua Cooper Ramo |James Shennan, Jr. | |Kissinger Associates |Trinity Ventures | |vice chairman |general partner emeritus | |Clara Shih |Javier Teruel | |Hearsay Labs, Inc. |Colgate Palmolive Company | |chief executive officer |retired vice chairman | |Myron Ullman, III |Craig Weatherup | |J. C. Penney Company, Inc. |Pepsi-Cola Company | |retired chairman and chief executive officer |retired chief executive officer | b. TOP MANAGEMENT Starbucks is realigning its top management to help drive its international growth, continued to strengthen Starbucks top management team, hiring people with extensive experience in managing and expanding retail chains. IV. 6F – 7S 6 FORCES 1. Customer bargaining power: The customer bargaining power of starbuck is actually low. It is because Starbucks able to satisfy the needs of the customers by providing various type of coffee and beverages. In other hand, Starbucks also fitting in with the beverages and food from each countries they are expand to, so that they dont have any problem in fulfilling the demand of the customers. 2. Supplier bargaining power: Starbucks get their coffee from South America and Indonesia mostly as their main supplier. Based on that the supplier bargaining power is also low since Starbucks demanding their own standard fof the high quality coffee and also another term that they set in order to sustain their products quality. 3. Other Stakeholder: The other stakeholder for Starbucks is basically come fro mthe government and the other social community. The government is only giving the regulation about the coffee shop, while the other hand social community mostly protest against starbucks about their products with high sugar and fat that can caused obesity and diabetes. But, the other stakeholder bargainig power is still low over Starbucks. 4. Substitute: The substitute for coffee as starbucks mostly offer as their own core products is low. It is because coffee is still favorable in some countries even though some parts in Asia prefer tea as their beverages, but Starbucks also could comply with it and keep growing and get profit from their coffee products. 5. New Entrants : For the new entrants for the same business area for starbucks is low. It is because some of the new entrants mostly can not compete with starbucks and mostly with small market share and retails. 6. Competitors between firms : As the competitors between firms for Starbucks is medium. The competitors is based on the India market. India has several coffee shop that provides the same services and products. Even though like that, Starbucks still get the upper hand on the situation, and for the American competitors, Starbucks has acquired some of their competitors, so that it wont affecting Starbucks. 7S analysis 1. Systems: Starbucks has their own system in servicing the customers. The system is the store is established closed to each otehr in a cluster of crowded places. Each of the stores will have the baristas (coffee maker) which are professional. The baristas will serve the customers. Beside that, Starbucks also prefer a non smoking area retail and not allowing the staff to use a high fragrance in order not to distrub the coffee aroma. 2. Style: The style of Starbucks is providing the coffee based on the italian style. They intent to make the coffee shop of Starbucks as the second home for the executive and also the other customers of their target market. They make the theme of the coffee shop as comfortable as in home with wooden decoration, opera and jazz musical which offer relaxing atmosphere. 3. Staff: As for the staff of Starbucks, it consists of 10,000 people that are spreading over 11,000 stores in 26 countries and it keeps growing from time to time as Starbucks are expanding their business to Asia. 4. Strategies: For the strategies of Starbucks. At first they open the retail of their shops in a cluster of a crowded and strategic places. This is for making a high barrier over the new entrants or competitors. Another thing that Starbucks also use the strategies of their theme that are different from the other coffee shop which is more like second home rather than juz for drink n go coffee shop. 5. Skill: Skills of Starbucks staf is on their baristas which is the professional coffee maker with talented and skillful ability in brewing the coffee. The baristas could make not only the plain coffee but also combining the art of design in the coffee they made as the decoration in order to make more prestige and value on their product. 6. Structure: Starbucks is lead by CEO and each or region also have their CEO that will responsible to the Starbucks in America. Beside that they also have the staff and baristas 7. Shared Value: The shared value of Starbucks is not to server and handle the coffee properly but also how to impart to customer, our passions for our products. Beside that the shared value of Starbucks is treating the customers very welll with the atmosphere of the shop so that they will feel like in second home situation. V. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT EFAS |External strategic factors |weight |rating |weight score | |OPPORTUNITY | |Expand the markets |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |To position Starbucks as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |educate a market about the quality of coffee, the experience and the | | | | |idea of Starbucks | | | | |India was ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world terms |0. 07 |5 |0. 35 | |purchasing power parity and tenth most industrialized country in the | | | | |world. | | | | | The middle class were increased in India |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement |0. 07 |3 |0. 21 | | Growing interest in western consumer brand and luxury products |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | |THREAT | | | |High competition |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in its Japanese operations |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks could face was the |0. 05 |3 |0. 15 | |increasing rate of obesity in India | | | | |High rate of rent and cost labor |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | | Asian people is tea drinkers |0. 07 |4 |0. 28 | |Included inadequate infrastructure, beraucracy, regulatory and foreign |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |investment control | | | | |Different culture, religion and regions |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |Total score |1 | |3. 77 |. Based on EFAS- IFAS analysis we thought that Starbuck should be on a growth strategy. Starbucks need to expansion to the Indian market and catch the opportunity by serving costumer needs because starbucks will be able to satisfy the desire for their coffee experience and build lot of stores to create brand awareness. Improve the network through creating joint venture with a lot of company in many specialties, like Maxim’s caterer, Beijing Mei Da Coffe Co. Ltd and Tata, and increasing quality and services. Using vertical growth in order to keep and improve its competitive position, control over scarce resource and guarantee quality. A. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Starbucks has soil, water, pest, waste and energy management B. SOCIETAL ENVIRONMENT Politic India had embarked on a series of economic reforms since 1991 that had ersulted in higher growth rates, lower inflation, and significant increase in foreign investment Economic Many different prices High rent and cost of labor in Japan By 2005, China contributed to little less than 10 % of the global sales of Starbucks and by 2008, Starbuck expected to derive 20 % of its revenue from Chinese locations Social culture High quality of service and customer satisfaction. In Italy, the decor of the store and the menu were covered based on feedback from customers Its employees were required to refrain from using strong perfumes that could adversely the aroma of its coffee Starbucks has forest and biodiversity conservation to workers welfare, living conditions, health, safety, etc In 2005, Starbucks announces plans to donate funds and supplies to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort Technology In 2004, XM Satelite Radio and Starbucks announced the debut the Starbucks â€Å"Hear Music† channel on XM Radio Environmental Starbucks has soil, water, pest, waste and energy management Legal. Starbucks licensed Marriot and Aramark to open Starbucks outlets Starbucks maintained a non smoking policy at all its outlets worldwide VI. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT IFAS |Internal strategic factors |weight |rating |weight score | |STRENGTH | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee retailer |0. 1 |5 |0. 5 | |Has high quality of coffee |0. 2 |5 |1 | |Starbucks became the majority owner of its operations in Southern China |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to create a new coffee experience |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |Has strict quality control worldwide so the taste remains the same |0. 11 |5 |0. 55 | |WEAKNESS | |Too many market |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Starbucks was opening stores too close each |0. 1 |3 |0. 3 | |The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an |0. 15 |4 |0. 6 | |elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate smoking areas | | | | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Total score |1 | |4. 07 | A. CORPORATE STRUCTURE Divisional structure B. CORPORATE CULTURE †¢ Commitment to quality †¢ Teach baristas not only to handle coffee properly, but also how to impart to customers our passion for our products. †¢ Opposed the concept of franchising †¢ Word of mouth promotion C. CORPORATE RESOURCES 1. Marketing: †¢ Expand the business to grow their market share in regional and global section †¢ Positioning in premium market. †¢ Extent product line portfolio. †¢ Promotional activities to create brand awareness and introducing Coffe with high quality 2. Finance: †¢ Creating strategic alliances by joint venture. †¢ Reduce the price but not below the competition level †¢ Making acquisition with some big companies 3. Operation †¢ Managing supply lines †¢ Creating more efficience resources 4. Research and Development. †¢ Developmnet of RD to create more innovative and unique products (food and beverags) 5. Human Resources †¢ Maintaining the baristas to serve the coffee without losing the quality of service. VII. ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC FACTORS A. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS |STRENGTH | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee retailer | |Has high quality of coffee | |Starbucks became the majority owner of its operations in Southern China | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to create a new coffee experience | |Has strict quality control worldwide so the taste remains the same | |WEAKNESS | |Too many market | |Starbucks was opening stores too close each other. | |The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate | |smoking areas | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan | |OPPORTUNITY | |Expand the markets | |To position Starbucks as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, educate a market about the quality of coffee, the | |experience and the idea of Starbucks | |India was ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world terms purchasing power parity and tenth most industrialized | |country in the world. | |The middle class is increase in India | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement | |Growing interest in western consumer brand and luxury products | |THREAT | |High competition | |By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in its Japanese operations | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks could face was the increasing rate of obesity in India | |High rate of rent and cost labor | |Asian people is tea drinkers | |Included inadequate infrastructure, beraucracy, regulatory and foreign investment control | |Different culture, religion and regions | SFAS. | | | | |duration | |Strategic Factors |weight |rating |weight score |short |intermediate |long | |S5 Has strict quality control |0. 12 |4 |0. 48 | | |X | |worldwide so the taste remains the | | | | | | | |same | | | | | | | |W2 Starbuck was opening store too |0. 1 |3 |0. 3 |X |X | | |close each other | | | | | | | |W3 The no smoking policy made |0. 13 |3 |0. 39 |X |X | | |many competitors took advantage and| | | | | | | |included an elaborate food menu | | | | | | | |with coffee and had separate | | | | | | | |smoking areas | | | | | | | |O2 To position Starbucks as a |0. 13 |4 |0. 52 | | |X | |leader in a new industry, and in a | | | | | | | |sense, educate a market about the | | | | | | | |quality of coffee, the experience | | | | | | | |and the idea of Starbucks | | | | | | | |O4 The middle class were increased|0. 1 |3 |0. 3 | |X |X | |in India | | | | | | | |T4 Asian people is tea drinkers |0. 14 |4 |0. 56 |X |X | | |T5 Included inadequate |0. 14 |4 |0. 56 |X |X | | |infrastructure, beraucracy, | | | | | | | |regulatory and foreign investment | | | | | | | |control | | | | | | | |total score |1 | |3. 81 | | | | Based on the SFAS table that have been created there are some strategic strong point from Starbucks such as they have a famous brand image with high quality of coffee with strict quality control. As for the weakness, they are opening store too close each other so it will make a strict competition between starbucks itself and make â€Å"self cannibalization†. Another weekness starbuck has The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate smoking areas. Whereas that market are potential to gain profit. Based on BMJ (British Medical Journal) 154 million men and 41 million women in India are smokers. Based from the Strengths and Weaknesses that Starbucks have, there also Opportunities that Starbucks position as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, educate a market about the quality of coffee, the experience and the idea of Starbucks. Second opportunities Starbuck has is the middle class are increasing in India and was estimated at around 250 million and was growing in double digits in urban and second tier cities. For the Threats that Starbuck might encounter if they want to expand in India Market are Asian people especially Indian are tea drinker and Included inadequate infrastructure, bureaucracy, regulatory and foreign investment control TOWS ANALYSIS | Internal factor |Strenghts |Weakness | | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee |Too many market | | |retailer |Starbucks was opening stores too close | | |Has high quality of coffee |each | | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to |The no smoking policy made many | | |create a new coffee experience |competitors took advantage and included an| | |Has strict quality control worldwide |elaborate food menu with coffee and had | | |so the taste remains the same |separate smoking areas | | | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan | | | | | | | | | |Eksternal factor | | |. Opportunity |S-O strategy |W-O strategy | |Expand the markets |Creating Joint Venture with other |Develop niche product | |To position Starbucks as a leader in a new |company in many specialities |Maintaining the quality of product and | |industry, and in a sense, educate a market |Building critical relationship to |excellent services | |about the quality of coffee, the experience |gaining additional market knowledge |Separated room for smokers and elaborated | |and the idea of Starbucks |with government |food menu | |India was ranked as the fourth largest |. Consistency on service and product | | |economy in the world terms purchasing power |Postioning in Premium market | | |parity and tenth most industrialized country| | | |in the world. | | | |The middle class were increased in India | | | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement | | | |Growing interest in western consumer brand | | | |and luxury products | | | |Threat |S-T Strategy |W-T strategy | |High competition |Extend their product line portfolio |Promotional activities to create brand | |. By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in | |awareness and introducing Coffe with high | |its Japanese operations | |quality | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks| |Reduce the price but not below the | |could face was the increasing rate of | |competition level | |obesity in India | |Match the coffee shop with the culture, | |High rate of rent and cost labor | |like they offer special Indian tea | |Asian people is tea drinkers | | | |Included inadequate infrastructure, | | | |bureaucracy, regulatory and foreign | | | |investment control | | | |Different culture, religion and regions | | |. †¢ Creating Joint Venture with other company in many specialities †¢ Building critical relationship to gaining additional market knowledge with government †¢ Consistency on service and product †¢ Postioning in Premium market †¢ Develop niche product †¢ Maintaining the quality of product and excellent services †¢ Separated room for smokers and elaborated food menu †¢ Extend their product line portfolio †¢ Promotional activities to create brand awareness and introducing Coffe with high quality †¢ Reduce the price but not below the competition level. |

Animal Farm as a Political Satire to Criticise Totalitarian Regimes Ess

Animal Farm as a Political Satire to Criticise Totalitarian Regimes This study aims to determine that George Orwell's Animal Farm is a political satire which was written to criticise totalitarian regimes and particularly Stalin's practices in Russia. In order to provide background information that would reveal causes led Orwell to write Animal Farm, Chapter one is devoted to a brief summary of the progress of author's life and significant events that had impact on his political convictions. Chapter one also presents background information about Animal Farm. Chapter two is devoted to satire. In this chapter, definition of satire is presented and some important characteristics of satire are discussed. In chapter three, the method of this research is described. Under the light of information presented in the previous chapters, Chapter four discusses Animal Farm and focuses on the book as a political satire. The last chapter presents the conclusion of this study.<font size="3">ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would first like to express my sincere thanks to my thesis supervisor, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Jashua M. Bear for his help and freedom he gave me in this study. Without his understanding this thesis would never have been completed.I also wish to thank my sister Fidan Korkut for her suggestions in the planning stage of this study and her endurance during my long study days at home.My special thanks go to Ãâ€"zgà ¼r Ceylan, who constantly granted me her moral support. She was always there when I needed her.<font face="3">THE AUTHOR: GEORGE ORWELLPresentationThis chapter introduces general information about George Orwell's life. It includes chronological progress of his life and his political convictions. Furthermore, important events, such as The Russian Revolution and The Spanish Civil War which had significant influence on his commitment to write Animal Farm will be discussed. Lastly, general information about Animal Farm will be given.His LifeThe British author George Orwell, pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was born in Motihari, India, June 25, 1903. His father was an important British civil servant in India, which was then part of t he British Empire. A few years after Eric was born, he retired on a low pension and moved back to England. Though their income was not much enough, the Blair family sent their son away to boarding school which was an exclusive p... ...ed from primary and secondary sources.<font size="3">ANIMAL FARM AS SATIREPresentationIn this chapter, under the light of information given in the chapter-1 and chapter-2, Animal Farm will be examined. It aims at to show the elements of satire in Animal Farm, and to compare characters, events and some elements of Animal Farm and The Russian Revolution Elements of Satire In Animal FarmOrwell, as quoted before, clearly explains that his main purpose for writing Animal Farm was to write a satire on the Russian Revolution (In Shelden, 1991, p.399). Through animal satire, Orwell attacks on the Stalin's practices in Russia and in wider scope, on totalitarian regimes. Taking Bozkurt's (1977) classification into consideration, Animal Farm would be said to be a Juvenial satire. Since, it is clearly seen that Orwell bitterly criticise Russian Communism and Stalin.Summary of The PlotOne night after Farmer Jones has gone to bed drunk, all the animals of Manor Farm meet in the barn for a meeting. Old Major, the prize Middle White boar, wants to tell them about a strange dream he had. First, he narrate "the nature of life" as he has come to understand it. Animals, though work very hard.

Development of Gothic Architecture in Relationship to Medieval Society

The Middle Ages covered a thousand year span. The period began after the schism of the fifth century in which the Roman empire was split into east and west. It continued until the start of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. The medieval period was notable for the origins and development of Gothic architecture. Because there was so much upheaval during the Middle Ages, the one constant was the Church. At that time the only denomination was Catholic.The Church was usually the largest structure in the medieval environment and was a main gathering place in which a variety of functions (which today would be provided by civic  buildings), occurred. (The Middle Ages, 1). Since the holy Catholic Church had already been a powerful institution at the conclusion of the Roman Empire, it continued to be the unifying force among the many small kingdoms that would develop into Europe. Replete with its own laws and large coffers, it wielded much influence during this time ( Enter the Middle Ages, 1).In addition, it had kept much from the ruins of the ancient world and became one of the centers of learning during during the Middle Ages. Not only did the Church preserve much of classical Latin knowledge, but it also maintained the art of writing.The cathedrals developed learning specialties such as rhetoric or logic in schools named cathedral schools. (Middle Ages, Learners. Org, 1). Whether one’s station was that of lowly peasant or of noble lord, the Church touched everyone’s life. Rank or class did not matter. Within towns , with the exception of a small amount of Jews, everyone in Europe was Christian. However, beyond the core areas of western Europe, there remained many people with little or no contact with either Christianity or classical culture.Outside the deurbanized remnants of cities the power of the central government was greatly  lessened and governmental authority was delegated to local lords who supported themselves directly fro m the territories over which they held power. This was the beginning of the feudal system ( Enter the Middle Ages, 1). For safety and defense people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master, living on a manor , which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and outlying farmland. In exchange for living on his land, the lord gave protection to his serfs. Manors were isolated with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or soldiers from other fiefdoms.  (Sobol, 22).Bishops, who were frequently wealthy, and came from noble families, ruled over a group of parishes called a diocese. Parish priests, however, came from humbler backgrounds and often had little education. The village priest tended the poor and sick, and if he was capable, taught Latin and the Bible to the youth of the village. (Enter the Middle Ages, 2). Medieval cathedrals sometimes functioned as marketplaces with the different portals of the mark etplaces containing sellers with their produce: items such as textiles might be at one end, while fuel, vegetables, and meat at another. Sometimes the clergy tried to put a  stop to the marketers. They tried to block access to the cathedral. But it was in vain.The sellers were not taxed on the items they sold inside the church; while the items they sold outside were. (Chartres, 1). The Church was all in all during medieval times. From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a child began its life of service to the Lord and to His Church. As the child developed , it would be taught basic prayers- and unless ill- would go to church every week. Every person was required to pay heavy taxes to support the Church.The reward for this was being shown the way to everlasting life and  happiness- a great trade off for lives that were often short and difficult. In addition to collecting taxes, the Church also granted special favors for people who wanted assurance of a place in hea ven. Gifts in the form of land, crops, flocks, and even serfs scrambled into the coffers. All this largess allowed the Church to become very powerful. As a result, it often employed this power to influence kinds and do as they wanted. (Enter the Middle Ages, 2). The power continued with the Pope who was considered to be God’s representative on earth. If someone went against the Church, the Pope could excommunicate them.This meant that the person could not attend any more church services or receive the sacrament, thus ensuring that they would go straight to hell when they died. At a time when everyone believed in heaven and hell, and all belonged to the Church, this excommunication was an unbearable horror. (Ibid, 2). The population increased throughout the Middle Ages. As it expanded in the 12th century, the type of church that had previously been used for worship; the ones built in the Roman or Romanesque style, with round arched roofs, became too small. Some of the grand ca thedrals became maxed to their structural limits.Although they built more mightily, going ever higher and larger, it appeared to be too much and these grander edifices collapsed within a century or less of their construction ( Enter the Middle Ages, 3). Enter a man who was about to change the style of these Middle Age churches and with it, bring forth a whole new field of architecture- gothic. Abbe Suger had been affiliated with the Church of Saint Denis in Paris for a good part of his life. The building needed repairs, so he took on the reconstruction, bringing in the finest of workers from the Low countries and from Italy.For his inspiration, Abbe Suger  looked to Canterbury Cathedral. Pilgrimages had been an important part of religious life in the Middle Ages as people journeyed to visit religious shrines. Suger particularly admired Canterbury Cathedral for its stained glass windows. Desirous of creating a physical representation of the the Heavenly Jerusalem, Suger aimed for a place of light that would speak of the positive aspects of the religious life: Redemption as opposed to the hellfire and damnation that was constantly being sermonized in the dark and dank Romanesque churches.Suger conceived of the idea â€Å"lux continua† – this theory would transform his church into one of  radiance and splendor, magnifying the spirit. He and his team gave themselves to the reconstruction of the church. After a four year renovation, the choir was completed in 1144. In a magnificent ceremony, complete with King Louis VI and Eleanor, and other notables, the church was dedicated to the Lord. With its thin columns, stained glass windows, and a sense of verticality, the choir of Saint Denis originated the elements that would be developed further during the Gothic period. Now architects were able to expand Saint Denis upward to more than twice the height of the earlier cathedral and free the walls to be filled with stained  glass.The great expanse of glass helped Abbe Suger with his goal of â€Å"lux continua†. These brightly colored stained glass windows were decorated with parables and stories of the Bible that would help inform the illiterate in their faith. Trade guilds funded other windows and the decorations contained within demonstrated what life was like during this medieval time. Saint Denis was designed along the lines of sacred geometry: the use of number angles, shapes that mirror the principle of the faithful believer, and flying buttresses that would support those higher ceilings and slender columns; the verticality suggesting aspirations to heaven  Additionally, Saint Denis contained a golden cross and a golden altar where kings and nobles donated their precious jewels (Gothic Art and Abbe Suger, 1)The influence this church had over French architecture was profound because it was also a political symbol. Suger virtually ran the kingdom while Louis VI was away on the Crusade. Yet for Suger, the Church was neither political symbol nor an architectural one, but solely a religious symbol. His main goal in its design was to honor God and Saint Denis. Suger had become fascinated by the religious implications of the light. He had inscribed on the main doors, which  are representative of the passion and resurrection of Christ: The noble work is bright, but being nobly bright; That work should brighten the minds, allowingThem to travel through the light. To the truth where Christianity is the true door (Simson,111). The Gothic style had emerged. It would give rise to the development of many other buildings and cathedrals who copied its characteristics, the most visible of which was its verticality. A skeletal stone structure, pointed arches using the ovoid shape, ribbed vaults, clustered columns, sharply pointed spires, flying  buttresses and sculptural gargoyles became part of the Gothic look. (The History of Art, 255).One of the most superlative examples of Gothic architecture can be f ound in Chartres Cathedral. Chartres, fifty miles from Paris, is considered to be extremely outstanding in its use of the Gothic elements. It was rebuilt in the Gothic style after a fire had decimated the building. Called a miracle of stained glass and stone, it was created in the form of a cruciform and dedicated in 1260. Chartres contains one of the most complete collections of medieval stained glass in the world. The Rose Window contains a sun and a rose.Jesus Christ, the Son, represents the sun, while Mary is the rose without thorns. Also there are depictions of kings and lords in additional stained glass, but their lower elevation connotes submission to the Lord. Along with many stained glass windows containing biblical stories which are typological allegories between the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament, there is much statuary. Rows of arches and niches within the arches contain the statues. (Chartres,Online 1). Within the confines of the Cathedral is a sacred re lic that was given by King Charlemagne. It is called the â€Å"Sancta Camisia,† and is said  to be clothing worn by Mary.Charlemagne received it on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This clothing, also called the cloak of the Virgin, was the source of much pilgrimage during the medieval times. The Cathedral was the life of the town and these pilgrimages brought in much revenue that the town depended upon. These pilgrimages occurred four times a year. Chartres, Wikipedia, 1). Although Raphael despised the Gothic style and named it derisively after the savage Goths who had ransacked Rome, the style survived and is an everlasting style of beauty and majesty. It is a wonderful contribution from the Middle Ages.

Dante Alighieri and his Divine Comedy Essay - 596 Words

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was an Italian poet in the Middle Ages. The Divine Comedy, of which Inferno is a part, is considered the greatest literary work in the Italian language and a masterpiece. Inferno is the story of Dante the pilgrim’s journey from the dark wood of error through Hell, led by Virgil. This is Dante the pilgrims opportunity to recognize his sins; he is given the opportunity to see how the error of his ways will be punished if he does not change. In Dante’s Hell, the punishment of the sin is reflected by the nature of the sin. There are many overall themes to this work, but three specific themes are represented in the â€Å"Up on your feet passage†; letting your drive change your life, carpe diem, and pushing through all†¦show more content†¦He was lost in sin and was watching all the good things he could be doing pass by him. The â€Å"Up on your feet† passage also displays the theme of being persistent and letting that drive change your life. The lines offered to Dante the pilgrim by Virgil are profound in the respect that they offer so much upon close study. Virgil closes this speech to Dante the pilgrim by saying, â€Å"Now, therefore, rise. Control your breath, and call upon the strength of soul that wins all battles unless it sink in the gross body’s fall. There is a longer latter yet to climb: this much is not enough. If you understand me, show that you mean to profit from your time.† (Lines 52-57) Virgil is offering the literal meaning to Dante the pilgrim as get up so we can get you out of Hell. The metaphorical meaning of these lines would be to live your life to its fullest potential; one cannot be content with a life full of sin. One has to live a fair life, to himself and others, so they can progress and move on to bigger and better things. The very last line of the speech tells us that you need dedication and the will to push on to be able to make a difference in the world, or â€Å"profit from your time.† Letting your drive change your life, carpe diem, and pushing through all obstacles in your way are three of the sub-themes of Dante’s Inferno. The journey Dante the pilgrim took was symbolicShow MoreRelatedThe Divine Comedy1705 Words   |  7 Pagesthe writers that influenced this revival is Dante Alighieri, a 13th century poet from Florence, Italy. His world famous epic, La Commedia, or more commonly known as The Divine Comedy remains a poetic masterpiece depicting truth and sin. The Divine Comedy, through the journey into the three hells, expresses a universal truth of good versus evil. Alighieri’s life of heartbreak with the influences of other famous poets like Homer and Virgil has affected his writing style, and through reviews by literaryRead More Analysis of the Inferno of Dante Alighieris Divine Comedy Essay1221 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of the Inferno of Dante Alighieris Divine Comedy The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is considered by many as the first great poem in the Italian language and perhaps the greatest poem written in Medieval Europe. The poem is so famous that one of the minor characters, Capaneus the great blasphemer, has his name on a mesa on one of Jupiters moon Io (Blue, 1). Also, the poem is divided into three canticles, or sections, Inferno, Purgatorio, andRead MoreThe Divine Comedy By Dante Alighieri873 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Divine Comedy† is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri. He wrote the epic sometime between 1308 and 1321, the year he died. It is considered one of the greatest works of world literature. He wrote â€Å"The Divine Comedy† while he was exiled from Florence, Italy (Bishops 182). â€Å"The Divine Comedy† recounts Dante’s idea of the afterlife. It is written in a first person perspective and follows Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. At the time Dante wrote the Divine Comedy, Italy wasRead MoreDante’s Vision of Divine Justice Justice is one of the major building block that society is built900 Words   |  4 PagesDante’s Vision of Divine Justice Justice is one of the major building block that society is built upon. It gives people a sense of retribution when they have been wronged. In Dante’s Inferno, justice is served in the supernatural realm. Throughout this play, the reader is exposed to the inner working of hell and the nine circles of specialized punishment it is composed of. Justice, in Dante’s Inferno, differs from justice in the mortal world in that it is decided, not by humans, but by God. HoweverRead MoreSatan s Location And Physical Attributes1096 Words   |  5 Pageshell. In Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, Dante and Virgil encounter Lucifer in the last circle of hell before they ascend to Purgatory. It is here in the circle of Judecca that Lucifer had been condemned for eternity as a result of his treachery against God. In my essay, I will argue that Lucifer’s location and physical attributes ironically reflect qualities of God in such a way that Lucifer becomes mocked. Dante Alighieri utilizes Lucifer’s characterization to illuminate the force of God’s divine powerRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Comedia 947 Words   |  4 PagesIn his life Dante, Alighieri was a famed author, poet, and statesman. Over the course of his life the esteemed thirteenth century Italian wrote a handful of successful works. However, Dante is undoubtedly best known for his critically acclaimed epic poem, Comedà ¬a, which would later be called The Divine Comedy. Comedà ¬a has 3 parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The first installment, Inferno, may currently be the most well known of the three poems, spawning countless reprints, several moviesRead MoreEssay about Dante Alighieri1178 Words   |  5 PagesDante Alighieri Dante Alighieri was the first and best Italian poet and wrote mainly on love and religion. His Divine Comedy is considered the greatest book of the last millennium. George Steiner said, Dante’s totality of poet form and philosophic thought, of local universality and language, remains unrivaled. At a time where the notion of culture and of European culture in particular, is somewhat in doubt, Dante is the sovereign underwriter. His are the solutions beyond logic†Read More The Divine Comedy Essay728 Words   |  3 Pagesa life of sin was to be sentenced to hell. Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet, who had an admirable depth of spiritual vision and was known for his intelligence (Encarta, 1). Between the years of 1308 and 1321, Dante wrote the epic poem, The Divine Comedy,; which described a journey through the afterlife. It takes place during the three days of Good Friday, when Jesus died, and on Easter Sunday when he rose body and soul to heaven. It is a mor al comedy, and was written to make readers evaluateRead MoreHow Literature Changed a Nation: Dante Alighieri and The Divine Comedy1146 Words   |  5 PagesThe poet, Dante Alighieri’s world was one filled with spirituality and stigmas. Unlike many other artists of his time, he completed his most famous and influential work in Europe’s 1300’s. Dante’s piece, The Divine Comedy, demonstrates the journey one takes throughout life, to find one’s self and connect with the world and religion, all through three volumes of poetry. Of his talent, came a business of the arts. In addition, he changed the way the Italian language was perceived. He used his writingRead MoreThe Vaule of Personal Development in The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri1209 Words   |  5 PagesIn Italian Dante Alighieri (1265) Poem, The Divine Comedy Inferno, Translated by Mark Musa. Dante demonstrates the value of personal development which is the ability to keep a balanced life an d continuously learn from past mistakes in order to create a better future. Dante begins the poem wrapped in his own thoughts and suffering but by the end of the poem he begins to understand other’s sufferings beyond his own. In his growth throughout his journey he learns about pain and sorrow that he cannot