What Is the Gaokao

In China, applying to college is about one thing and one thing only: the gaokao. Gaokao (é «ËœÃ¨â‚¬Æ') is short for æ™ ®Ã©â‚¬Å¡Ã© «ËœÃ§ ­â€°Ã¥ ­ ¦Ã¦   ¡Ã¦â€¹â€ºÃ§â€Å¸Ã¥â€¦ ¨Ã¥â€º ½Ã§ »Å¸Ã¤ ¸â‚¬Ã¨â‚¬Æ'è ¯â€¢ (â€Å"The National Higher Education Entrance Examination†). A student’s score on this all-important standardized test is pretty much the only thing that matters when it comes to determining whether or not they can go to college—and if they can, which schools they can attend. When Do You Take The Gaokao? The gaokao is held once annually at the end of the school year. Third-year high school students (high school in China lasts three years) generally take the test, although anyone may register for it if they desire to. The test generally lasts for two or three days. What's On The Test? The subjects tested vary by region, but in many regions,  they will include  Chinese language and literature, mathematics, a foreign language (often English), and one or more subjects of the student’s choice. The latter subject depends on the students preferred major in college, for example, Social Studies, Politics, Physics, History, Biology, or Chemistry. The gaokao is especially famous for its sometimes inscrutable essay prompts. No matter how vague or confusing they are, students must respond well if they hope to achieve a good score.   Preparation As you might imagine, preparing for and taking the gaokao is a grueling ordeal. Students are under huge amounts of pressure from their parents and teachers to do well. The final year of high school, especially, is often focused intensely on preparation for the exam. It isn’t unheard of for parents to go so far as quitting their own jobs to help their children study during this year. This pressure has even been linked to some cases of depression and suicide amongst Chinese teens, especially those who perform poorly on the exam. Because the gaokao is so important, Chinese society goes to great lengths to make life easy for test-takers on testing days. Areas around testing sites are often marked as quiet zones. Nearby construction and even traffic  are  sometimes halted while students are taking the test to prevent distractions. Police officers, taxi drivers, and other car owners will often ferry students they see walking the streets to their exam locations for free, to ensure that they are not late for this all-important occasion. Aftermath After the exam is over, local essay questions are often published in the newspaper, and occasionally become hotly-debated topics. At some point (it varies by region), students are asked to list the colleges and universities they prefer in several tiers. Ultimately, whether they are accepted or rejected will be determined based on their gaokao score. Because of this, students who fail the test and thus cannot attend college will sometimes spend another year studying and  retake  the test the following year. Cheating Because the gaokao is so vitally important, there are always students willing to attempt cheating. With modern technology, cheating has become a veritable arms race between students, the authorities, and enterprising merchants who offer everything from false erasers and rulers to tiny headsets and cameras connected to off-site helpers using the internet to scan questions and feed you answers. Authorities now often outfit test sites with a variety of signal-blocking electronic devices, but cheating devices of various sorts are still readily available to those foolish or unprepared enough to attempt using them. Regional Bias The gaokao system has also been accused of regional bias. Schools often set quotas for the number of students they will take from each province, and students from their home province have more available spaces than students from remote provinces. Since the best schools, both high schools and colleges, are mostly in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, this effectively means that students lucky enough to live in those areas are better prepared to take the gaokao and are able to enter China’s top universities with a lower score than would be needed by students from other provinces. For example, a student from Beijing might be able to get into Tsinghua University (which is located in Beijing and is former president Hu Jintao’s alma mater) with a lower gaokao score than would be necessary for a student from Inner Mongolia. Another factor is that because each province administers its own version of the gaokao, the test is sometimes demonstrably harder in some areas than others.

Sympathetic or Antisympathetic Essay - 509 Words

In Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House, Nora starts out as sympathetic person, making decisions based upon the welfare of only others, and never herself. She is a caring, na#239;ve and loving person, making it easy to forgive her for her faults. As the story proceeds her motives are questioned, and so is the idea of whether or not she is still a sympathetic character. Previous to the opening of the play, Nora makes the decision to get a loan without Torvalds knowledge so that he can go to Italy and improve his health, showing compassion and love for her husband. Noras aquiring the loan with her father as a guarantor, shows that she cared enough not to worry her husband with money problems at a time that he needed to heal. Forging her†¦show more content†¦Linde, ...when I am no longer pretty...Torvald no longer loves me as he does now...amuse[s] him... play the fool for him(1497). We do not know when she came upon this realization, but it does not affect her until she acknowledges his reaction to the news of her forgery may be much different than previously expected. This realization creates a devastating blow to her mind, paralleled with her tarantella practice, Not so violently, Nora. (1523). Nora is literally dancing for her life as she is now unsure of Torvalds reaction to the news will be. Chaos overtakes her mind, as she bec omes aware that Torvald would not take the news of her forgery well, yet hangs on to her image of the ideal husband who like herself would do anything for her spouse. Torvalds comment, ...the beautiful apparition disappeared (1528) is the turning point of Noras beautiful character into that of a selfish one. In the end, Nora makes the decision to end her marriage, leave her children, and run away from her problems, showing only self-interest. She forfeits her family for that of her happiness believing what Torvald previously says, an atmosphere of lies contaminates and poisons...breath...children draw...contains the germs of evil (1509). Even though she is aware of his dishonesty, I must try to buy him off (1534), she still leaves her children with their father. Her decision is selfish, and her selfishness is backed up with the factShow MoreRelatedA Brief Note On Osteoporosis And Its Effects2126 Words   |  9 Pages 5-HT directly activates osteoblastic 5-HTRs to inhibit bone formation, whereas centrally it inhibits the sympathetic nervous system, thus alleviating the negative adrenergic tone on osteoblasts. It appears that the negative skeletal effects of peripheral SSRI-induced increase in 5-HT outweighs the skeletal benefits resulting from the enhanced central 5-HT antidepressa nt and antisympathetic activity. Warden et al. researched the impact of 5HTT inhibition on bone by studying an animal model with

Property Law Practice 2013-14 Report on Legal Liability Free Essays

A. Issues: There are a number of issues that arise in the construction project posed, especially if there are not sufficient measures in place to limit legal liability. These issues are: The state of the current site, because it is known to be in an extremely dangerous condition, and this may result in harm to any person that enters the site. We will write a custom essay sample on Property Law Practice 2013-14 Report on Legal Liability or any similar topic only for you Order Now The design of the building has been undertaken by in-house architects. Thus, the potential liability for defective design has to be considered, in relation to the construction. Potential liability for professional negligence may arise, because of the direct contract between ABC and the purchasers and the business leaseholders. There are obligations under the Party Wall etc Act 1996 (PWA 1996), because of the shared party walls between the building and adjoining neighbours. Finally, jib poses a problem, because it may amount to trespass of airspace and there is a potential breach of adjoining neighbours’ right to light. The purpose of this report is to highlight when exclusion clauses and notices cannot be used to limit liability. This will be identified through the obligations that are owed and the potential liability if there has been failure to meet them. In a development this size there are a wide range of potential claimants, as such the report needs to undertake a broad approach to determine potential classes that could result in legal liability for ABC and/or XYZ. The structure of this report is to examine the six different areas of potential advice, in which a summary of advice will be given at the end of each section. Thus, the report will include six standalone mini reports. B. Law of Negligence Vicarious Liability: B.1 Law of Negligence, Latent Damage and Obligation of ABC for its Vicarious Liability for Its Architect: The hiring of an in-house architect may give rise to a future claim of latent damage under the Latent Damage Act 1986 (LDA 1986), breach of contract and if there is harm caused by negligence (Adriaanse, 2010, p. 21). The act of tort will arise if the property causes physical harm, such as falling debris. The liability under tort will begin from the time that the damage is discovered (Pirelli General Cable Works Ltd v Oscar Faber and Partners [1983] 2 AC 1; Dugdale, 2006, p. 197). The same argument applies, if a latent defect is identified with respect to breach of contract. The rationale is if the design and/or the construction are defective then there should not be a limitation of liability, because it was not identifiable until years later (Abbott v Will Gannon Smith [2005] PNLR 30 CA). The case of Invercargill City Council v Hamlin [1996] 1 NZLR 513 identified that the time runs from the point of â€Å"reasonable discoverability†, which means that ABC cannot place a clause in the contract with respect to when potential liability for defect runs. B.2 Negligence and Vicarious Liability – Application to the Leaseholder and Purchaser: The main factor that is highlighted is whether there is actual or reasonable knowledge of the defect for when the purchaser and/or leaseholder can launch a claim for defective property (Murphy v Brentwood DC [1991] 1 AC 398). It is also not possible for ABC and XYZ to exclude liability for latent defect, which is the purpose of the LDA 1986. In addition, defective property may give rise to a breach of warranty, which highlights that there is liability if there is a contract in place. If the negligent harm is purely economic then there needs to be a direct contractual relationship for liability (D F Estates v Church Commissioners for England and Wales [1989] AC 177; Murphy v Brentwood DC). For example, if the negligence is due to the defect of design then this is a pure economic claim. The claim will be allowed when there is a direct relationship between the designer and the person negatively affected by the defect of design (Lowe, 2005, p. 4). The rationale is that the direct relationship creates the duty of care and proximity (McGee, 2000, p. 42). In the case of the purchasers and leaseholders, the direct relationship is created through the sale and lease deeds with ABC. The link between ABC and the architect is that he/she is an in house employee, thus there is vicarious liability. B.3 Delegation of Duty to XYZ by ABC: It may be that ABC excludes their liability to XYZ as the main contractor. There is a duty owed by XYZ to ABC to supervise, in order to prevent latent defects (East Ham v Bernard Sunley [1966] AC 406). The delegation of liability from ABC to XYZ may be furthered through a clear contractual clause, which highlights that the contractor should ensure that any design defects are corrected to maintain the obligation of quality assurance (East Ham v Bernard Sunley). Nevertheless, the contractor owes the duty of care of the average professional in the industry (Tharsis Sulphur Copper Co v M’ Elro7 (1878) 2 App Cas 1040). This means the expectation of rectification of design will only be to the extent that it is obvious to the reasonable contractor. This means that the contractor must adapt obviously defective designs into a workable solution (Turiff Ltd v Welsh National Water Development Authority [1994] Const LY 122). If he/she fails to do this then the contractor (XYZ) will be held liable. If it is not an obvious defect then the architect will be held liable. IRC v Maxse (1919) 12 TC 41 held that a profession â€Å"in the present use of language involves the idea of occupation requiring purely intellectual skill, or if any manual skills†¦ controlled by the intellectual skill of the operator† will be held liable for breaches of professional knowledge. The duty of care that is owed is of a â€Å"reasonable degree of skill and care† for the given professional (Lanphier v Phipos (1838) 8 CP 475; Midland Bank Trust Co Ltd V Hett, Stubbs and Kemp [1978] 2 WLR 167; Hedley Byrne v Heller Partners [1964] AC 465 HL). This means that if there is a defect of architectural design or supervision that the design is followed then there will case of professional negligence (Saif Ali v Sydney Mitchell [1980] AC 198; Nye Saunders and Partners (a firm) v Alan E Bristow (1987) BLR 92). This breach must be below the standard of the reasonable architect (Michael Hyde and Associates Ltd v JD Williams and Co Ltd [2000] EWCA Civ 211). Thus, if it can be shown that the defect was of design (and not construction) then the architect will be in breach. This breach will then hold ABC liable. Finally, the contracts directly with the purchasers and leaseholders will enable an economic claim under negligence for breach of professional negligence. B.4 Recommendation: Thus, the potential liability of ABC for being in control of the design has to be ascertained, in relation to the liability for XYZ continuing to carry out a defective design. This will be important for the purchasers to identify, because liability may or not be with the seller ABC. It may be worth delegating the duty of supervision and monitoring the design to XYZ. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that this will prevent a claim brought by the purchasers and leaseholders if treated as consumers, due to enhanced obligations through the direct contractual link. An exclusion clause for latent defect may be considered, but it will have no effect due to the LDA 1986 and the fact that such a defect is breach of warranty. C. Landlord Obligations: It is important to note, that ABC when acting as a landlord, owes an obligation to provide a safe and fit property. This means that all residential properties must be fit for human habitation (s. 8 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985)), which includes an implied repairing covenant under ss. 13-14 LTA 1985 (Duke of Westminster v Guild [1985] QB 688). This includes repair of the common parts (Liverpool City Council v Irwin [1977] AC 239), even if there are commercial leases that contain a leasee repairing covenant. These obligations cannot be excluded. Regardless of whether it is a commercial or residential lease, there is an obligation to ensure that the premises are not defective (s. 4 Defective Premises Act 1972). Failure to so will give rise to liability in tort, which means that the landlord must repair the premises in a reasonable manner (Ratcliffe v Sandwell MBC [2002] EWCA Civ 6 (2002) 1 WLR 1488). These obligations cannot be excluded. Recommendation: If there is a defective property ABC, as a landlord and freeholder of the property, will have to ensure that common defects are repaired. In addition, any defects specific to its commercial and residential leases will have to be repaired. Finally, in the case of residential properties there is an obligation to ensure the properties are fit for human occupation. Nevertheless, it is advisable that the general repairing option lies with the leaseholder in the commercial leases (but this will not extend to defective property (s. 4 DPA 1972). D. Trespass to Land – Trespass to Airspace: Two next issue concerns the jib is swinging over the land occupied by several neighbouring properties. This will amount to a breach of airspace (Kelsen v Imperial Tobacco Co [1957] 2 QB 334; Bernstein of Leigh (Baron) v. Skyviews General Ltd. [1978] Q.B. 479). The liability will be that of XYZ, unless ABC retains control of the site. Thus, it is advisable that there is a delegation of control to XYZ and limitation of liability, in respect to failures by XYZ to gain permission from the neighbours to swing the jib. In addition, such a clause should give special consideration of any negligence that may ensue to the swinging jib (i.e. all supervision is the obligation, which means that there is effective limitation of liability for ABC). E. Right to Light and Nuisance: There is a potential nuisance and breach of land law, in respect to the number of the adjoining buildings that have windows over the site. The private nuisance arises, because the building blocks their light (Westminster City Council v Ocean Leisure [2004] BLR 393). This is a breach of their right to light and can be a public nuisance. There needs to be special consideration that the building does not block the light, which means that the 45-degree rule should be followed (Law Commission, 2013, 4.7). Limitation of liability cannot occur, because the action will be in nuisance and under the land law. Thus, there needs to be proper designing of the building, which means that ABC will be ultimately liable as it is using an in house architect. Another potential nuisance that may arise is if ABC and XYZ do not minimise the dust and debris from the site (Andreae v Selfridge [1938] Ch1). ABC may delegate these obligations to XYZ and limit liability; however, as the owner occupier there is still a duty to supervise. This means that to limit liability ABC will need to have a supervisory plan in place. F. Occupier’s Liability: Homeless Persons Vacant Site: The frequenting of homeless people may give rise to legal liability if the site is not appropriately secure to prevent access. Section 1(1) of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 (OLA 1957) provides a duty of care to visitors on the site (Adriaanse, 2010, p. 126). A homeless person will not be identified as a visitor; rather he/she will be a trespasser. However, the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 (OLA 1984) requires that visitors on a construction site without invitation also have to be protected. It is arguable that the property is not a construction site yet, but this does not mean that there should be no protection for trespassers at all. Rather, there is still an obligation to prevent harm to trespassers. Under s. 1(2) OLA 1957 it provides that there is an obligation to protect licensees. A licensee can be a trespasser who enters the land where the occupier is aware of the trespass and the danger (Lowery v Walker [1911] AC 10). Without knowledge of the trespass, there will not be a direct obligation (Edwards v Railway Executive [1952] AC 737). Taylor v Glasgow City Council [1922] 1 AC 44 indicates that if there is an allurement on the land, such as a vacant property then a license may be implied. This has been limited with OLA 1984, as such there is a reluctance to impute an implied license based on allurement alone (i.e. the imputed knowledge that individuals will enter the land) (Tomlinson v Congleton [2003] 3 WLR 705). The implication is that the accessibility of the site is not enough to impute occupier’s liability. The failure to prevent the homeless persons would give rise to liability under s. 1(2) OLA 1957. To discharge liability under s. 1(2) OLA 1957, ABC has to take all reasonable acts to make the property safe (s. 2(2) OLA 1957). It is possible for him to discharge liability through a notice, which identifies that no trespassers are allowed (Roles v Nathan [1963] 1 WLR 1117) and the danger of the site is identified (White v Blackmore [1972] 3 WLR 296). It may be argued that if no sign is put up, and the danger is obvious then there will not be liability against ABC because the individual has assumed the risk (Darby v National Trust (2001) 3 LGLR 29). Nevertheless, as the property is boarded up it may not be obvious how dangerous the site is to others. Recommendation: Therefore, a sign that clearly should be posted, which states that: No trespassers are allowed; and The dangers of the site The posting of the sign should be at all possible access points, in order to exclude liability. Liability for Active Construction Site: When the site becomes active, there may be dual liability under OLA 1957 and OLA 1984 for ABC and XYZ. This will depend on the nature of control by ABC and XYZ (Adriaanse, 2010, p. 126). For XYZ to be held as an occupier, it should have a degree of control and supervision (Wheat v Lacon [1966] AC 552). As XYZ is the controlling contractor then it will owe an obligation to prevent visitors, employees and sub-contractors from dangers caused by physical defects on the site (Bunker v Charles Brand [1969] 2 QB 480). It is important to stress that there is an obligation on ABC and XYZ to secure the site, which includes all moveable; otherwise liability may arise from harm that emanates from the site (Jolley v London Borough Council [2000] 1 WLR 1083). Securing of the site is also important, because if children access it and are harmed then there will be liability, even with signage, due to the frivolity of youth doctrine (confirmed in OLA 1984) (Keown v Coventry Trust Healthcare NHS [2006] EWCA Civ 39). If the harm is caused by an adult entering the site when there is clear signage of danger then there is assumption of risk and no obligation is owed (Tomlinson v Congelton). Recommendation: ABC and XYZ will need to ensure that there are special measures in place to secure the property when it is an active construction site. This is because any harm that emanates from the site needs to be reasonably mitigated (s. 2(2) OLA 1957) to protect third parties on the site or passing by the site. Securing the site, in order to prevent children entering is paramount, because signage is not enough. Nevertheless, such signage is important to prevent liability for adult trespassers, such as the homeless persons. G.Obligations under the PWA 1996: There is an obligation under s. 1(1) PWA 1996 that there must be notification of any work on a party wall, or that may affect a party wall (Jessop, 2000, p. 8). In fact, Excavations below the level of the foundations of nearby buildings also require that there are notifications under s. 6 PWA 1996. Finally, ss. 2 to 5 PWA 1996 provides that works directly on the party walls, which pose harm to the neighbour’s wall must be notified (Bickford Smith and Lamont, 2007, p. 2). The failure for ABC to notify those neighbours under the PWA 1996 will result in a civil breach of the act. In addition, any damage that is caused must be rectified (Geoffrey Kaye v Matthew Lawrence [2010] EWHC 2678). The obligations of notification are as follows: There must be at least one month’s notice before the construction starts (ss. 2-3 PWA 1996); The neighbours then have the right to consent, consent with provisos or reject the proposed building (s. 4 PWA 1996); and If the neighbour fails to reply and/or no agreement is made then s. 10 PWA 1996 must be engaged (i.e. the dispute resolution procedure) (RICS, 2011; s. 4.1 PWA 1996). A security may be requested by the affected neighbours in case there is harm to the party walls ( 12(1) PWA 1996), in order to meet the obligation of rectification. The failure to engage the notice procedure is too big a risk, because if notice is not served, and harm occurs then there is a presumption of negligence that cannot be discharged (Roadrunner Properties Limited v (1) John Dean (2) Suffolk and Essex Joinery Limited [2003] EWCA Civ 1816). Recommendation: It is essential that ABC serves notices of all neighbours that fall under the PWA 1996; otherwise, it will be in breach of the act, and if harm occurs, there is a presumption of negligence that cannot be waived. Rather, it is the obligation of ABC to prove they were not liable for the harm, which is difficult due to the nature of the harm. ABC may argue that they are not liable, because such an act is delegated to XYZ and liability limited. However, the PWA 1996 holds the property owner liable, which cannot be delegated. H. Conclusion: To summarise the following recommendations identified in each of the sections highlight that there are obligations that ABC and XYZ will owe. Many of the obligations cannot be excluded through limitation of liability clauses and notices. Those that do allow limitation of liability requires reasonable steps to be taken, in order to notify persons of the potential harm (e.g. proper and sufficient signposting of the danger of the site, prohibition of trespassers and limitation of liability). Thus, the overall advice that is given is that ABC and XYZ do not cut corners and fully comply with the law, especially the PWA 1996 due to the nature of the construction project. References: Adriaanse, J (2010) Construction Contract Law 3rd Edition, Palgrave MacMillan Bickford Smith, S and Lamont, C (2007) â€Å"Party Walls etc Act 1996: Ten Years On† Property Bar Association Mini-Conference 13th November 2007 Dugdale, T (2006) â€Å"The Date of Damage in Defective Property Cases† PN 22(3) 196-199 Jessop, D. (2002) ‘Party Wall Practice Procedure in Brief’, The Journal of the RICS Building Surveying Faculty 4, 8-10 Law Commission (2013) Rights to Light Consultation Paper 210 Lowe, D (2005) Duty of Care Deeds and Commercial Property RICS McGee, A (2000) â€Å"Economic Loss and the problem of the running of time† (2000) CJQ 19, 39-55 Cases: Abbott v Will Gannon Smith [2005] PNLR 30 CA Andreae v Selfridge [1938] Ch1 Bernstein of Leigh (Baron) v. Skyviews General Ltd. [1978] Q.B. 479 Bunker v Charles Brand [1969] 2 QB 480 D F Estates v Church Commissioners for England and Wales [1989] AC 177 D F Estates v Church Commissioners for England and Wales [1989] AC 177 Darby v National Trust (2001) 3 LGLR 29 Duke of Westminster v Guild [1985] QB 688 East Ham v Bernard Sunley [1966] AC 406 Edwards v Railway Executive [1952] AC 737 Geoffrey Kaye v Matthew Lawrence [2010] EWHC 2678 Hedley Byrne v Heller Partners [1964] AC 465 HL Invercargill City Council v Hamlin [1996] 1 NZLR 513 IRC v Maxse (1919) 12 TC 41 Jolley v London Borough Council [2000] 1 WLR 1083 Kelsen v Imperial Tobacco Co [1957] 2 QB 334 Keown v Coventry Trust Healthcare NHS [2006] EWCA Civ 39 Lanphier v Phipos (1838) 8 CP 47 Liverpool City Council v Irwin [1977] AC 239 Lowery v Walker [1911] AC 10 Michael Hyde and Associates Ltd v JD Williams and Co Ltd [2000] EWCA Civ 211 Midland Bank Trust Co Ltd V Hett, Stubbs and Kemp [1978] 2 WLR 167 Murphy v Brentwood DC [1991] 1 AC 398 Murphy v Brentwood DC [1991] 1 AC 398 Nye Saunders and Partners (a firm) v Alan E Bristow (1987) BLR 92 Pirelli General Cable Works Ltd v Oscar Faber and Partners [1983] 2 AC 1 Ratcliffe v Sandwell MBC [2002] EWCA Civ 6 (2002) 1 WLR 1488 Roles v Nathan [1963] 1 WLR 1117 Saif Ali v Sydney Mitchell [1980] AC 198; Taylor v Glasgow City Council [1922] 1 AC 44 Tomlinson v Congleton [2003] 3 WLR 705 Turiff Ltd v Welsh National Water Development Authority [1994] Const LY 122 Westminster City Council v Ocean Leisure [2004] BLR 393). Wheat v Lacon [1966] AC 552 White v Blackmore [1972] 3 WLR 296 How to cite Property Law Practice 2013-14 Report on Legal Liability, Essay examples

Antigone (454 words) Essay Example For Students

Antigone (454 words) Essay AntigoneAntigone Sophocles trilogy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, andAntigone is a powerful, tragic tale that examines the nature of human guilt,fate and punishment. Creon, Oedipus uncle and brother-in-law, is the storysmost dynamic character. His character experiences a drastic metamorphosisthrough the span of the three dramas. Creons vision of a monarchs proper role,his concept of and respect for justice, as well as his respect for the designevolve considerably by the trilogys tragic conclusion. In Oedipus the King (OK), the audience is introduced to a Creon who seems to put loyalty to the kingabove all. He sympathizes with the tragic plight of King Oedipus and asserts noapparent ambition himself. His attitude toward the king is one of yielding andfulfilling reverence. Creons notion of justice in OK stems directly from thedivine. That which the gods have decreed must become law. It pains Creon to haveOedipus exiled, but he must do so as the gods have willed it. Creons respectfor divinity and prophecy seems to be his defining trait in OK. His attitude isone of unquestioning reverence. In Oedipus at Colonus (OC), one sees thebeginning of Creons decline. Creon has now come to occupy the throne that oncebelonged to Oedipus. It soon becomes apparent that his vision of the proper roleof a king has changed to accommodate his new-found position. The emphasis shiftsfrom that of a king who must rule wisely to one who must rule unyieldingly. Thekingship becomes a selfserving instrument for Creon in his attempt to secure thereturn of Oedipus and the good fortune prophesied to accompany him. Creonsnotion of justice is severely distorted in OC. He becomes monomaniacal conducting his affairs with tyranny and belligerence. For example, he threatensto harm Oedipus daughters if the blind beggar does not return to Thebes. Hisview of rightness and fairness is no longer in line with that of his subjects. In OC, Creon still retains some respect for divine prophecies. These have afterall motivated his desire to return Oedipus to Thebes. Antigone reveals theultimate extent to which Creons character deteriorates. His transformationcompletes itself; he has become an unreasonable tyrant. Creon can no longer becalled a king. He has become a despot. There is absolutely no justice to befound. Violence and threats of violence are the tools by which he rules. Forexample, his senseless threats to an innocent sentry reveal the true extent ofhis loss of reason. Creon has distorted the proclamation against Polyneicesburial, which was originally intended to foster Theban unity, into a display ofrashness and incompetence. There is no mention of the gods and their intentionson Creons behalf in Antigone. He has been so far destroyed by his own power asto dismiss the divine will that he originally thrived on.