Saturday, August 31, 2019

Greek vs Roman Theatre

Historic playwrights such as Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Seneca were described as prolific philosophers and geniuses of their times. These men actively participated in the politics surrounding them, and were respected and revered in their society. Each had their own individual style and portrayed their personalities through each of their noted works. Nevertheless, as with a majority of playwrights throughout history, most fodder for their plays have been adaptations of previous plays written by their predecessors or based off mythological events. Unfortunately, this had lead to many speculative accusations and criticisms, as is the case with Senecan tragedies versus their Greek counterparts. Senecan and Greek interpretations of the plays Oedipus, Agamemnon, and Medea bear similar themes, being the inescapability of fate and dike, and the lack of clarity between right and wrong. Nevertheless, they differ culturally, politically, and philosophically due to the differences in society as well as the eras in which the writing of these plays took place. Culturally, Greek and Roman theatre vary in a multitude of ways. Firstly, a major difference is the role of actor within their cultures. The introduction of the actor sparked the creation of tragedy, because of the ability to have back-and-forth discussions. Within Greek culture, to be an actor was a most honourable position as they were considered as icons because â€Å"the good actor, who rises to the challenge of providing a good and consistent performance, can be a model for how to live† (Easterling 382). In contrast, within Roman culture, the actors’ conditions were mean and contemptible (Theatrehistory). A secondary difference is the amount of actors used by Seneca and his Greek counterparts. Seneca stressed the importance of consistency of character stating, â€Å"It is a great thing to play the role of one man† (Easterling 382), suggesting that he seems to disapprove of those who play multiple parts. This is a reason as to why Seneca changed the number of speaking parts in plays to encompass four speaking roles. Agamemnon, for example, has four speaking parts during its final scene involving Aegisthus, Electra, Clytemnestra, and Cassandra (lines 981-1012). Oedipus similarly requires four actors at once for the second act involving Oedipus, Creon, Tiresias, and Manto (lines 201- 402) (Boyle 83). Another cultural difference is in regards to the importance of the masks worn by either the Greeks or Romans during the theatrical performances. The Greek mask was important because it allowed actors to play multiple roles and with the help of the onkos or high headdress, it portrayed the characters, as they ought to be or as better than they are (Wiles 68). The rule of the mask is never in question with Sophocles or Aeschylus as its function was to represent a neutral face. Hence, eliminating all the peculiarities that distinguish each character from another as author John Jones stated, â€Å"The audience could have had a few simple, conventional signs determining rank and age and sex† (Wiles 68). This neutral mask allowed the audience to judge Oedipus and Agamemnon by his actions and not solely on his appearance. It also forced the actor to externalize emotions by using his whole body (Wiles 69). Nevertheless, the conventions of tragic masks do come under pressure by the tragedies of Euripides. Classics professor Froma Zeitlin states that Euripides’ â€Å"repertory of tragedy and epic provides, as it were, a closet of masks for the actors to raid at will, characters in search of identity, a part to play,† which is a main theme in Euripides’ Medea (Wiles 69). In contrast, the cultural context of Roman mask was very different from the Greeks, who believed masked performances were a great source of pride. For a Roman, it was unthinkable that dancing in masks was a source of pride during public celebrations. The use of masks centered on the ideologies of the Roman culture and its concern with the after-life (Wiles 129). The Greek observer Polybius wrote that Roman religion, which was even bound up by death, was â€Å"theatricalised in order that the masses could be controlled by unseen terrors and suchlike tragoidia† (Wiles 129). Therefore, while the Greeks put on masks to create new forms of life, Romans put on masks to resurrect a dead being (Wiles 129). Professional actors received training in life to imitate these dead beings, a reason as to why Seneca disliked the premise of an actor playing multiple roles because actors specialized in one character (Wiles 130). These masks veered away from neutrality to more stock characteristics, much like commedia dell’ arte, and remained as such for recorded history, and because there is records of Seneca performing his work, there is no proof that he used different masks. A final cultural difference is the importance of the chorus and its use in the plays Agamemnon, Oedipus, and Medea. The chorus was not highly involved in the action of the plays. In general, the chorus’ main functions were to create a psychological and emotional background to the action through its odes. It introduces and questions new characters, as well as point out the importance of events as they occurred, to establish facts and avow the outlook of society. Finally, the chorus covers the passage of time, between events, and separates episodes (Calder 21). Within the play Agamemnon, by Aeschylus, the chorus represents the voice of wisdom of the city as well as its limitations (Novelguide). The chorus’ limitations are clear when they fail to appreciate Clytemnestra, (lines 258-63), and their wisdom is seen when they are able to see no end to the problem of dike (Novelguide). In Seneca’s Agamemnon, the chorus of men is replaced for a chorus of Mycenaean women, which is seen through lines 310, 350-51, (Calder 331). They represent enlightenment by rendering individual cases intelligible by juxtaposing the moral crisis (Seneca 113). Similar differences of the chorus can be found within the play Oedipus. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, the chorus positions itself within the minds of the audience as the citizens of Thebes acting solely as petitioners with no great affect on the plot. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds the importance of the chorus grows as they take active roles in the progression of the plot. This continues until the chorus outgrows Oedipus, weaning from his dependence, and becoming the backbone that Oedipus himself uses to confront his destiny, seen in lines 1550 on (Calder 113). This development contrasts with Seneca’s chorus, in his adaptation of Oedipus, as the chorus remains on the same level yet becoming more philosophical in their understanding of fate and justice (Seneca 6). This is seen in lines 980 to 996 as the chorus explains their understanding of fate, stating, â€Å"We are driven by fate, and must yield to fate. No anxious fretting can alter the treads from that commanding spindle [†¦ ] Many are hurt by fear itself, many have come upon their fate through fear of fate† (Seneca 107). This quote demonstrates that no matter what, one will always meet his fate. Finally, differences between Senecan and Greek choruses are also seen within the play Medea as both choruses play crucial but different roles in the development to Medea’s character. In Euripides’ Medea, the chorus enters as a very sympathetic group to Medea’s plight, which is seen when they enter and state, â€Å"I heard the voice, uplifted loud, of our poor Colchian lady† (Euripides 156-7). She is a poor, unfortunate woman whose world is in shambles and the chorus echoes this (Associatedcontent). Whereas, Seneca’s chorus represents the average citizen, not pulling punches when it comes to the scandal that they are witnessing. The chorus begins the play by celebrating the marriage of Jason and Creusa, and juxtaposed with Medea still on stage the chorus states that Creusa’s beauty â€Å"far surpasses all the brides of Athens† (Seneca Medea 75). This demonstrates that the chorus is by no means sympathetic and they do not patronize Medea like the Chorus of Euripides. Seneca's Medea does not need the chorus as a crutch, which is provided to Euripides' Medea (Associatedcontent). Therefore, through the differences in actors, costume, and use of chorus, the cultural aspects of Greek and Romans times play crucial roles in the adaptations of these myths. A second way that Greek and Roman theatre vary from each other is through the political differences of their times. The fist difference is seen through the significant event that occurred during the writing or adaptation of these plays. Although, the main difference is seen through the importance of mythological figures within each play, how they are portrayed, and what they represent. Firstly, each play was written during or after seriously significant events that occurred during Greek times. For example, Aeschylus’ Agamemnon was written and during the battle of Aegina and after the death of Pleistarchus king of Sparta in 480 B.  C. Sophocles’ Oedipus was written after a horrible plague washed over Athens killing one third of the Athenian population (Bispham, Harrison, Sparkes 9). Each of these events affected the audience by tying connections to the events that were occurring around them. In contrast, Seneca’s adaptations were never performed and they were not written during significant events that affected the audience. On the other hand, a major difference came from the depiction of main characters within each play. Within both Aeschylus’ and Seneca’s Agamemnon, Clytemnestra dominates the plot, as Agamemnon himself does not enter the play until line 810. Aeschylus’ Clytemnestra is portrayed as a dangerous temptress, who represents a challenge to patriarchy unparalleled in Greek tragedy as she demonstrates early feminism (RHUL). This is seen through her jealousy of Agamemnon’s status as a man when she tells Agamemnon that he should â€Å"yield† to her (Novelguide). In contrast, Seneca’s Clytemnestra is portrayed as an emotionally unstable and sympathetic woman, as well as representing the working of the passions. This is demonstrated through her desire for a chaste marital relationship with Agamemnon, in lines 239-43 (Seneca 120). Another difference in major characters is seen in the play Oedipus, through the depictions of Oedipus. Sophocles depicts Oedipus initially as a benign ruler amidst his people, self-confident and determined (Seneca 5). This is demonstrated through his opening lines to the audience, â€Å"Deeming it unfit to hear reason from a messenger, I, Oedipus, on whom men rely, have come myself to hear you out† (Sophocles 33). Oedipus represents two enduring themes of Greek myth and drama: the flawed nature of humanity and an individual's powerlessness against the course of destiny in a harsh universe (Seneca 5). In contrast, Seneca’s Oedipus, at the beginning, is isolated and obsessed with anxiety and guilt, as demonstrated in the quote, â€Å"What I fear is unspeakable: that I may kill my father with my own hand† (Seneca 19). Oedipus’ unease is due to his possession of power and in Senecan drama, kingship is typically a source of unease for the ruler (Seneca 7). Seneca’s depiction of Oedipus keeps in turn with his dramas and their concern with mental states. The final contrast of characters and their depictions are found in the play Medea. Euripides’ Medea is seen as lone and forlorn who is portrayed as a pawn of the gods and willing to be such (Associatedcontent). She commits her crime and awaits ramifications from the gods, demonstrated by the line, â€Å"But you'll never have me in your grasp, not in this chariot, a gift to me from my grandfather Helios, to protect me from all hostile hands† (Euripides). Seneca, on the other hand, characterizes Medea as not â€Å"just a woman†, but as a vibrant and vengeful spirit who is more god-like, being in control of her destiny (Associatedcontent). When dealing with her connection with the gods, Seneca’s characterization is the polar opposite of Euripides’ as she is not as respectful and reverent of the gods. She often condemns them for their actions or lack of actions seen in the lines, â€Å"Hecate, I call so many times for your arrows for just one reason, always the same† (Seneca Medea 95). With these political differences, mainly the depiction of historic and mythological figures, it is clear to see that these differences have significant effects on characters as well as plot. Finally, the philosophies of each playwright’s era highly affect the adaptations of the each play because of the differences in philosophical language, seen through the writer’s dialogue. Each playwright’s manner of utilizing dialogue is specifically unique to each individual. Seneca’s dialogues were not platonic exchanges between characters but were treatises (ancienthistory). Seneca’s elaborate rhetoric, argumentation, and complex verbal exchanges were quite unlike the dialogue of Greek tragedy. Furthermore, the ambience of gloom, disease, insanity, and physical horror that permeates his plays is adverse to the spirit of Greek drama (Bispham 296). Aeschylus pioneered drama tension through the addition of the second actor, increasing the possibilities for dramatic dialogue. His language in dialogue is discernible with force, majesty, and emotional intensity (Britannica). Aeschylus boldly uses compound epithets, metaphors, and figurative turns of speech, demonstrated in the quote, â€Å"Winged hounds, eagles of Zeus, slew a poor cowering creature, her unborn young slaughtered with her. She loathes the feast the eagles made. Sorrow sing, sorrow, but good shall prevail with power† (Aeschylus). This description the slaughtering of an animal demonstrates Aeschylus’ rich language binding together the dramatic actions, rather than used as simple decorations (Britannica). It was also common of Aeschylus to sustain a common image or group of images throughout a play, such as the snare in Agamemnon. Sophocles’ major innovation was his introduction of a third actor, which enabled the playwright to both increase the number of his characters and widen the variety of their interactions. The extent of the conflict was extended, plots could be more fluid, and situations could be more complex (Britannica). Sophocles’ language varies depending on the dramatic needs of the current moment within the play. It can be slow and weighty or swift moving, emotionally intense or easygoing, highly decorative or perfectly plain and simple (Britannica).. This can be demonstrated through the quote from Oedipus, â€Å"One man may surpass another in wisdom, yet until I see the prophet’s words proved true never will I agree when Oedipus is blamed; for once the winged maiden came against him and he showed himself wise be the test and good to the state† (Sophocles) . His mastery of form and diction was highly respected by his contemporaries (Britannica). Euripides’ style of dialogue and language is best described as chatter, alluding to both its comparatively light burden and to the talkativeness of his characters of all classes. In spite of this, Euripides’ dialogues have considerable charm and sweetness. This chatter is best described in the quote from Medea, during the scene when she is killing her sons, â€Å" Help me†¦ help†¦ Did you hear that? Did you hear the children cry? That wretched, evil woman! What do I do? How can I escape my mother's hands? I don't know, dear brother. It's over for us† (Euripides). Although this quote does not demonstrate Euripides’ charm and sweetness, in later works, his lyrics underwent a change, becoming more emotional and luxuriant, and this demonstrates the chatter (Britannica). With such contrasting styles and use of dialogue and language, the philosophical differences between Seneca and the Greek playwrights are evident. The differences found within the Greek and Senecan interpretations of the plays Oedipus, Agamemnon, and Medea demonstrate the significant shift of societies and era in which the plays were written and/or adapted. This demonstrates itself through many differences such as the cultural diversity dealing with the actors and their performance, the costumes in respect to the importance of masks, and the movement dealing with the changes in chorus. Political changes demonstrate the differences through the significant events during the staging of the production, whether or not it affected them in any way, and the depiction of historic figures in regards to their portrayal within the play. Finally, philosophical ideologies demonstrate the difference between Greek and Senecan tragedies through the expression of the playwrights through the characters, with the philosophical language of the unique dialogue in which each playwright perfected. Nevertheless, interpreters put their own personalities within the plays and this is what shined through, no matter the criticism. Bibliography http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/bellinger001.html http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/seneca/a/Seneca.htm http://www.novelguide.com/Agamemnon/essayquestions.html https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aeschylus-Greek-dramatist?anchor=ref393561

Friday, August 30, 2019

How Technology Can Assist or Hinder Information Management Practices in Organisations

1 INTRODUCTIONTechnology has come a long way in the past 10 to 15 years and we now have access to information at virtually any time, or place we wish. Organisations today rely heavily on technology and without it, would likely struggle to survive. Technology has enabled us to better service the needs of consumers in the ever-changing market.2 ADVANTAGESThe obvious advantage with technology today is that it allows instant access to information and is a great time saving mechanism. USB devices and cloud software make it easier than ever before to access your files anywhere in the world.There is also almost no waiting time whatsoever when you need to find access to a document or the like. It has replaced the need to manually file documents which is a major advantage not only because it saves labour, the document is now much easier to find – you only need to type the file name into the computer and it can bring what you are looking for up.Going digital has also had a large impact on our environment, in a good way. Since the need to file documents manually has significantly reduced, we have in turn saved billions of tonnes in paper as well as reducing greenhouse gasses from producing paper related equipment in factories. Technology has also allowed us to take advantage of more storage than ever before as the need for physical filing equipment has gone. For example, a server can store an earth-shattering amount more information than a filing cabinet or cupboard.3 HINDRANCESData integrity can be a major downfall when using information systems in the workplace as it relies on the user to put the data in correctly in the first place. Until we advance so far in technology that human input is no longer  needed to collect data, then this will remain as a hindrance that we can’t avoid. Whilst technology is very advanced in society today, it also still has the ability to malfunction and crash, it is by no means flawless. Downtime is infrequent but it still me ans that we need to be keeping information backed up onto multiple resources and sometimes there is a need for a hard copy to be kept which can be time consuming to maintain.4 CONCLUSIONWhilst technology is by no means flawless, it has greatly enhanced our way of life and how we keep record of information and events. If technology was just as advanced 100 years ago, we might have seen a very different recollection of historic events.In terms of technology impacting our workplace information systems, it has definitely had an effect for the better. It has allowed us to record mass amounts of information, saved us numerous hours of time and made it extremely easy to access data whenever, wherever – which I feel outweighs the hindrances by far.We can’t control human error but through frequent and improved training for employees, we can reduce it so that the information system being utilised becomes more reliable.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes - Article Example Greater gingival bleeding has also been observed among patients whose diabetes is poorly controlled than among those with well-managed diabetic conditions. Failure to treat gingivitis, which is a milder form of periodontitis, causes it to advance to the fully blown periodontitis, which is characterized by an inflammation around teeth (Taylor, Preshaw & Lalla, 2013). Prevalence and vulnerability varies in people with different ages. Children suffering from type 1 diabetes are at higher risks (more than five times) than those without diabetes but with similar levels of plaque. In adults, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis three times more than those without diabetes. Poor glycemic control is the key exposure to the disease among such adults. Studies found similar pathogens in periodontitis sites among adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Further, hyper-inflammatory immune cells in diabetic patients increases insulin resistance, complicating the inflammation caused by periodontitis even more (Taylor, Preshaw & Lalla, 2013). These findings influence the professional career in dental hygiene, and practitioners should discuss the relationship with their patients. They should advice patients to have healthy lifestyles and avoid diets that increase susceptibility to diabetes, which may ultimately affect their dental health. Taylor, J., Preshaw, P., & Lalla, E. (2013). A review of the evidence for pathogenic mechanisms that may link periodontitis and diabetes. Journal of Periodontology, 84(4), 113-134.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Critical Thought Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Critical Thought - Essay Example The critical thought makes it seem as though modern democracies arose out of the thinking of the Ancient Greeks, or that governmental architecture mirrors classical Greek architecture naturally. This, however, ignores the massive historical gap that lies between the two time periods. The modern democracy, and modern nation state, arose not out of the polis, but out of the feudal system of the middle ages. Land ownership requirements existed in many countries into the 19th century for voting rights, for instance, a direct holdover from the feudal, not the classical world. To be truthful to history and to the truth of ourselves, we must recognize that our world in some ways mirrors the prototypes developed by the Greeks not because of natural evolution or happenstance, the mirrors exist because the creators of our societies have actively tried to copy and to call on aspects of ancient Greek culture in architecture, governance and

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Law of Tort Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law of Tort - Research Paper Example Torts can be classified into three categories depending on the nature of the defendant’s conduct: intentional torts, strict liability torts and torts of negligence (Edwards, et al., 2009). An intentional tort is a tort that describes a civil wrong resultant from a deliberate act on the part of the defendant. Intentional torts usually involve actions which may also constitute a crime, for example an assault. However, a tort should be distinguished from a crime. Strict liability torts refer to situations where an individual is liable for injury of another no matter the precautions that were taken. This type of torts is found to a lesser degree, more often than not in the context of product liability. Negligence as a tort decides legal responsibility for slapdash action or inaction which causes injury. Thus, the tort of negligence covers a wide span of human activity and it may not necessarily be concerned with the activity itself but also the manner in which the activity is carr ied out. A negligent conduct is that which falls bellow an acceptable standard and it will mount up to a tort if it causes damage to a party. Negligence will be proved where the defendant owed the claimant a duty of care, the defendant breached that duty of care, the breach resulted to harm or damage to the plaintiff and lastly, the type of damage suffered by the plaintiff is closely related to the defendant’s conduct/actions (Stuhmcke, 2001). The objectives of the law of tort are to compensate victims of injury and loss and protect the interests of individuals that are their reputation, property etc. The other objective of the law of tort is to ensure that individuals check their actions and realize that they affect other people. It also provides the means whereby a person who regards himself or herself as above suspicion in a dispute can be judged by being declared in public to be on the right by a court (Postema, 2002). The person who commits a tort is known as a tortfeaso r and the one to who suffers the damage is known as the tortfeasee. The Duty of Care Element For a tort of negligence to occur, the defendant must have been bound to perform some duty, that is, a defendant is only liable in negligence to a person to whom the defendant owes a duty of care and if this element is absent, the action of negligence will fail (Heaven v Pender, 1883). In this case, an owner of a dry dock supplied ropes that were used to support a phase that has been slung over the ship’s side. The stage failed because it had been previously burned and it injured an employee of a different contractor who was working over the ship’s side. The court held that the defendant, who as the ship owner was liable of tort of negligence because he failed to carry out his duty of care by checking the condition of the ropes before using them (Reid & Zimmermann, 2000). Thereza being an employer of the twenty employees, she has a duty to take due care and diligence when deali ng with them. She has a duty to fairly remunerate them as agreed in the employment contract and provide a good working environment for her workers which ensures employee health is maintained. She is also bound to supply the employees with the necessary tools and equipments to enable them carry out their work and maintain their safety. Another duty of Thereza as the ‘

Monday, August 26, 2019

Setting up high performance teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Setting up high performance teams - Essay Example These factors underline the basis of the teams performing a singular whole than disjointed units within the framework of the organization or the group that they are working under. Constituting a team is an important measure since it explains the manner in which the team members would carry out their processes and activities in order to reach the ultimate objective – the goal which is in sight. Also the presence of a leader within the ranks is also significant since he is the one who ensures that commitment and devotion is laid towards the activities of the whole team and that the team members are dedicated to the cause of serving the objectives of the team. A leader would guarantee that the team members remain on their toes and are up and ready in order to outperform each other so that the end result is one which will make the team stand out as a whole. The objectives of the team are more quintessential than the individual members and this is one aspect that the leader brings with him whilst formulating a high performance team. (Opie, 2000) People selection and recruitment stands as a very essential step of the formulation of teams since right kind of people must be geared up to the task and it is a must to check the kind of motivation that these team members have at the very moment and whether or not the same would remain like that within the future. Thus these factors are deemed as very important whilst getting the people under an umbrella which would actually see that the teams would get the right kind of members within their hold and this is important since it will decide how the team would actually perform within the future and in the long run. One must understand that team members are committed to the task and remain in line with the strategies and tactics deployed by the team leaders so that the team is a high performing one, both in difficult circumstances and in times of ease as well. This eventually

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Discuss Marxs concepts of alienation and exploitation Essay

Discuss Marxs concepts of alienation and exploitation - Essay Example Some would say that Alienation itself is a completely subjective state of being, this is debatable at best. His theory relies on Feuerbach's The Essence of Christianity (1841), which argues that the idea of God has alienated the characteristics of the human being. Stirner would take the analysis further in The Ego and Its Own (1844), declaring that even 'humanity' is an alienating ideal for the individual, to which Marx and Engels responded in The German Ideology (1845). According to Karl Marx, there are many ways that people are alienated in capitalism. The workers apparently lose control of their lives and selves in not having any control of their work. Workers, thus, never become powerful, self-realized human beings in any significant sense. Marx attributes four types of alienation in labour under capitalism:[1] alienation of the worker from the product, since this is appropriated by the capitalist class, and so escapes the worker's control; alienation from the act of production itself, such that work comes to be a meaningless activity, offering little or no intrinsic satisfactions.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

ENGH Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ENGH - Essay Example imes, she would sit with my friends and I as we watched the other neighborhood kids turning on the fire hydrants and running underneath the water spray just to cool off. During those instances, she would ask us to each tell a story about what we thought the other kids were doing under the spray of water. While my friends and I made up stories about the scenes unfolding before us, grandmother would pull up her rocking chair and ask us to sit around her. This was often the signal for the game that she loved to play with us. She would ask a child to start the story and then point to another child to continue the story and we would go on like that for around an hour or so until she would say â€Å"last 4 kids need to help end the story.† That was how we whiled away our time during our youth. My grandmother encouraged us to let our imagination soar and get as creative as possible with the stories that we were chaining together. It was really sad that we could only practice the chain story telling when my grandmother was staying with us. Our parents did not have the time to play with us the same way that she did. As for me, I enjoyed the story telling activity so much that I wanted to keep doing it even while my grandmother was away. That is why I once asked my mother to buy me a notebook and some extra pens. I would sit on our front step and observe the people who passed me by. Then I would jot down something that I observed about that person and what I thought he or she was thinking as she walked past. Before I knew it, I had begun to write simple stories of the fictional kind. Maybe it was because of the constant repetition of the activity, it maybe it was the enjoyment that I got from releasing my imagination and allowing it to soar. But I discovered later on that I had a natural talent and love for fictional writing. My grandmother was my first ever editor and my biggest fan. She encouraged me to continue discovering my writing talent in a way that my parents

Geological Society of America Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Geological Society of America - Assignment Example The presence of these plates can be confirmed by the appearance of oceanic trenches when these plates sink beneath one another. These trenches can run for hundreds of miles. Another evidence of their existence and activity is the formation of ridges where these plates pull apart. Transform faults also form where the tectonic plates slide to opposite sides of each other (Eckel, 1982). The movement of plates was used to settle the debate on how the island arcs, both continental and oceanic, form. Island arcs form where oceanic and continental, oceanic or transitional plates sink beneath each other. The past decades saw the geoscience community reject research and theories on the formation of island arcs based on the tectonic plates. To add to this conflict, there was conflicting continent formation theories based on tectonic plates. One considered seafloor-spreading while the other was in favor of pieces of continents afloat dense oceanic