Health care Reforms in G8 Countries and Turkey

Introduction One of the main objectives of the governments of G8 countries is to promote and improve the health status of their citizens. In order to achieve this objective, G8 countries have focused on providing effective, accessible, as well as, affordable health care to their citizens. Consequently, health care policies in G8 countries revolve around two fundamental issues.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Health care Reforms in G8 Countries and Turkey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The first issue is the manner in which a basic package of high quality health care should be provided. The second issue is how to â€Å"finance and manage health services in away that guarantees their availability and accessibility† (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). In order to address these issues, health care has been considered a public good in G8 countries. A public good is normally provided by the gove rnment and benefits everyone in the community. The governments of G8 countries are, thus, justified to provide health care services due to the following reasons. First, majority of the citizens can not access health services due to the high costs (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). Consequently, the governments provide health services in order to promote access regardless of the ability to pay. Second, health care is a basic right of all citizens, and thus, it should be provided by the government. Additionally, there are no substitutes for health care. Hence all citizens must be able to access quality health services. Third, the governments are able to mobilize additional funds for health care by providing universal health cover to their citizens (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). The additional funds are used to improve the quality of health care services. Finally, a healthy nation tends to be more productive. This has prompted G8 governments to provide affordable heal th services in order to enhance their productivity (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). This paper focuses on the health care reforms in the G8 countries. Health care in G8 Countries in the Last 15 Years The G8 consists of the eight largest economies in the world. Despite the fact that all G8 countries are developed, some of them have poor health care systems. The quality of health care among the G8 countries depends on the availability of resources and health policies adopted by each country. In the last fifteen years, health services in G8 countries, except US, have been provided by the governments. The governments either provided the services directly or contracted private providers to deliver the services. However, the percentage of health care costs paid by the governments varies from country to country. For example, in UK the government pays all the fees while in Japan, the patient pays between 10% and 30% of the total cost (Claudia, 2010).Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Both taxation and national health insurance covers are used to finance health services in the G8 countries. Unlike other G8 countries, health care in US is mainly financed through private insurance. The health covers are either provided by the employers or purchased directly by the citizens. The US government has minimal participation in the provision of health services. The health care programs that are supported by the US government include Medicaid and Medicare. Generally, access to quality health services has increased in most G8 countries. The UK, German and France have had the best health care systems in terms of quality, accessibility and affordability (Claudia, 2010). In these countries, the governments pay for nearly all health care expenses. Additionally, a lot of capital is invested in the health care sectors. Russia’s health care system remained ineffective in the last fifteen years due to poor management and lack of financial resources. The US health system has also recorded poor performance in the last fifteen years. In particular, high costs prevent majority of US citizens from accessing quality health services (Juni, 2006). Nearly all G8 countries have faced challenges in providing health services. The common challenges include rising costs, inadequate personnel and declining service quality. These challenges have promoted the G8 governments to reform their health care systems. Health Care Reforms In UK, health care reforms began in 1948 with the establishment of the National Health Services (NHS). The objective NHS is to â€Å"provide health care for all citizens based on need and not the ability to pay† (Juni, 2006). NHS is funded by the public through taxation. All legal residents of UK are eligible for the services offered by NHS, irrespective of their nationalities or tax history. NHS hospitals provide all medical services in cluding surgeries and prescriptions free of charge. Additionally, meals, care workers, ambulance services, therapies and in-clinic nursing services are provided for free (Claudia, 2010). Only general physicians are allowed to refer a patient for acute care in a NHS hospital. The general physicians are also given feedback on the treatment given to the patient and recommendations for follow up actions. In US, earlier reforms in the health care system involved the formation of the â€Å"Veterans Health Administration, the Military Healthcare System and the Indian Health Services† (Juni, 2006). These programs provide subsidized health care services to specific groups such as the military. Publicly funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare provide subsidized health care to vulnerable groups such as the poor, the old (over 65 years) and the disabled. Major reforms began in 2010, with the enactment of the new health reforms bill. The new health bill aims at improving access to h ealth services through universal health cover. Under the new legislation, all US citizens will be required by law to obtain health insurance (Arrieta Guillein, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Health care Reforms in G8 Countries and Turkey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The government will provide tax credits to those living below the poverty line to enable them obtain health insurance. Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing to offer covers to citizens with preconditions. The health insurance covers will cater for all medical services demanded by all US citizens. Russia adopted a socialist approach to provide health care between 1917 and 1990. During this period, the government provided all health care services through taxation (Claudia, 2010). Thus, all citizens were able to access services such as prescriptions, surgeries, therapies and other treatments for free. Following the c ollapse of the Soviet Union, Russia adopted a mixed model of healthcare provision (Claudia, 2010). In this case, the private and public sector participates in financing and provision of health services. The private sector provides health insurance and health facilities while the government subsidizes the cost of treatment and also provides health workers (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). Reforms in Turkey’s health care system began in 2003. The reform program â€Å"aims at increasing the ratio of private to state health provision and making health care available to all citizens† (Feldster, 2009). Private insurance companies partnered with private hospitals to provide quality health care. In 2006, laws that facilitate provision of universal health cover were enacted in order to enhance access to health services. The government funds nearly 70% while the private sector funds 30% of all health expenses (Feldster, 2009). The family practitioner model was introduced in 2010 to provide low cost medical services by local doctors. The family practitioner model provides treatment to citizens of all ages. Members of a family can receive treatment from the same doctor. However, the doctors are not specialized, and thus, services such as surgery are obtained in centralized government hospitals. Healthcare in Germany is provided by the government through a universal health cover system. The insurance cover is provided in two forms namely the sickness fund and private insurance (Agrell Bogetoft, 2001). Membership in sickness funds is compulsory and contributions are made by employers and employees. Overall, the government funds nearly 77% of the total health care budget. The remaining 23% is funded by the private sector (Agrell Bogetoft, 2001). The funding from both the government and private sectors caters for treatment, medicine costs, as well as, the cost of staying in hospitals. Following a sharp increase in costs, the government introduced new h ealth financing reforms in 2007 through an act of parliament.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The new legislation guarantees access to health insurance, and provides incentives to enhance effective coordination of health care (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). Additionally, it introduced a unitary contribution rate, and enhanced competition among insurers, hence reducing the cost of health insurance. The French health system is funded through pension schemes, family allowances, as well as, health insurance. Pensions and family allowances are managed as a national fund. There are also smaller funds that cater for workers in specific professions. All health â€Å"funds are private but are highly regulated by the government† (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). The funds cater for hospital care, prescriptions, cash benefits and outpatient services. The other services offered include preventive care for mothers and children which are provided through community –based health facilities. Health workers such as nurses, midwives social workers are provided to care for chi ldren and other patients. Health care in Italy is financed and provided by both the government and the private sector. The government provides health care through the National Health Services (NHS). NHS pays the family doctors, nurses, and the costs of treatment. However, medicinal drugs can not be obtained without a doctor’s prescription (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). The drugs prescribed by a family doctor are partly paid for by the patient. Over-the-counter drugs, on the other hand, are fully paid for by the patient. The family doctor is assigned to a maximum of 1500 patients and must visit the patients at least five times in week. Both Japan and Canada have universal health covers through which they provide health care to their citizens. In Japan, the government pays 70% of the health care costs while the patient pays the remaining 30%. The funds from the government cater for parental care, disease control, and screening examinations (Agrell Bogetoft, 2001). P atients can access medical services from doctors of their choice, and have a right to health insurance from any provider. In Canada, health care is provided freely at the point of treatment or use (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). Health services are mainly provided by private organizations. However, the government regulates the private providers in order to enhance the quality of health care. The government pays for the drugs, treatment and salaries of the health workers. Effectiveness of the G8 Health Care Systems In general, the reforms adopted by the G8 countries have helped them to improve the effectiveness of their health systems. At least 85% of Canadians are satisfied with their health care system. The Canadian health system is also cost-effective since 96.2% of adults spend less than five percent of their disposable income on medical expenses such as prescription drugs (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). In UK, the reforms have enabled the government to deliver health services closer to th ose who need them most. Consequently, health care costs have significantly reduced, and the service quality has improved tremendously. In Turkey, the increased participation of the private sector raised competition for patients. Consequently, the quality of health care in public and private hospitals has improved. The number of health practitioners and health facilities has increased by 30% following the introduction the family practitioner model (Claudia, 2010). Majority of the rural population can now access health care through universal health cover and government subsidies. The life expectancy in German increased to 78 years while the infant mortality rate reduced to 4.7 for ever 1,000 live births. Currently, German is one of the countries with the highest number of physicians (Claudia, 2010). The health financing reforms introduced in 2007, has enabled majority of Germans to access better health care through health covers. The French health system is considered the best in Euro pe and among the G8 member countries. This is because it provides a variety of high quality health care services for free. At least 65% of France’s citizens are satisfied with their health system. Italy’s health system is the second best after the French system. At least 95% of Italians are able to access quality medical services. In Japan and Canada, access to medical services has significantly increased in the last decade. Unlike other G8 countries, U.S and Russia still have ineffective health care systems. Russia has the worse health system among the G8 countries. Its health system initially helped in reducing infectious diseases and increased bed capacities in hospitals (Feldster, 2009). However, the introduction of the mixed model led to inefficiency in the health system. Consequently, the health of Russia’s population has deteriorated in nearly all measures. In United States, the main challenge is high costs of accessing health care. Additionally, the qual ity of health services is very low. Only 40% of US citizens are satisfied with their health care system (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). However, the challenges facing the United States’ health care system are likely to be addressed by the new health reforms laws. In conclusion, providing health care through universal health covers has enabled most G8 countries to achieve the objective of delivering quality and affordable health care. However, the existing health care systems are still faced with challenges such as rising costs, inefficiency and administration problems (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). Role of the Private Sector In all G8 countries, health care services are provided by both the government and the private sector. The government and the private sector participate in financing and actual provision of health care services. The private sector plays three fundamental roles which include the following. First, private health providers deliver health care services d irectly to the citizens. The private providers include private hospitals, doctors working in the private sector and private health organizations (Feldster, 2009). Second, private insurance companies provide covers that enable citizens to access medical services. Finally, employers in the private sector help in financing health care by purchasing health covers for their employees. The extent to which the private sector participates in the provision of health care varies from country to country. United States has the highest percentage of private sector participation in the provision of health care services. Nearly 70% of US citizens access medical services through private insurance. The insurance covers are directly purchased by citizens and employers (Feldster, 2009). In France, the private sector dominates in the provision of health covers. All insurance plans or health funds are arranged by the private sector under the regulation of the government. In Japan, the private sector fun ds only 30% of the health care costs. Besides, the government provides most health care services through public health facilities (Juni, 2006). There is minimal involvement of the private sector in UK, Canada, German, Turkey and Italy. In these countries, the governments pay for at least 75% of the total health care costs. Most health care facilities are owned by the government and the health workers are directly paid by the governments. In countries such as Italy and UK, the services provided in public hospitals are better than in most private hospitals. Private verses Public The above analysis indicates that access to quality and affordable health care is high in G8 countries where health services are provided by the public sector (government). However, in US where the private sector dominates the provision of health care, medical services are inaccessible and of low quality. Thus, we can conclude that the public sector can provide health care in a better way than the private sect or. The effectiveness of the public sector can be explained by the following reasons. First, empirical studies reveal that 1% of the population pays for nearly 25% of health care costs. 50% of the population pays for only 3% of the health care costs (Parmmolli, Riccaboni, Magazzini, 2011). Since, a high percentage of health care costs are paid by the minority, pooling of resources through a compulsory universal health cover becomes apparent. It is only the government that has the capacity to implement a compulsory universal health cover (Juni, 2006). Second, provision of health care by the public sector addresses equity issues. Since the private sector is driven by the profit motive, it restricts access to health care through the price mechanism (Feldster, 2009). The public sector, on the other hand, enables everyone to access health care regardless of their purchasing power (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). Second, provision of health care by the public sector improves the quality of hea lth services. For instance, the additional resources resulting from a universal cover can be used to acquire more health facilities. Third, provision of a public good such health care requires a high level of administration that a single enterprise can not arrange. It is only the government that can arrange for such high level of administration through its ministries (Arrieta Guillein, 2011). Additionally, the private sector might not be able to access the large capital that is required to offer universal health covers. Fourth, providing health care through publicly owned universal covers is likely to be more acceptable than private insurance (Juni, 2006). This is because a universal cover is relatively cheaper and is not subject to contractual obligations. Finally, the rapid economic growth in G8 countries provides a favorable environment for implementing universal health care (Claudia, 2010). The high employment rates in G8 countries means that majority of the citizens can contri bute to health funds. Additionally, G8 countries have high tax revenues that can be used to meet the costs of health care services. Conclusion Health care is an important sector since it determines the productivity and welfare of the population. It is against this backdrop that G8 countries have focused on providing affordable and quality health care to their citizens. Health care is considered a public good in most of the G8 countries. Consequently, the governments are more involved than the private sector in the funding and provision of health services. All G8 countries, except the US, provide health care through universal insurance covers and taxation (Feldster, 2009). In US, the private sector dominates in the provision of health care through private health insurance. The governments pay for the costs of treatment, prescription drugs, costs of staying in hospitals and the salaries of health workers. The private sector mainly participates in the provision of health covers (Arriet a Guillein, 2011). The challenges facing G8 countries in providing health care services include rising costs, mismanagement of funds and inadequate funds. In general, provision of health care through the public sector has enabled G8 countries to provide affordable and quality health care to their citizens. Thus, we can conclude that the public sector can provide better health care than the private sector. References Agrell, P., Bogetoft, P. (2001). DEA-Based Incentive Regimes in Health Care Provison. Journal of Economics and Management, 3(2), 78-91. Arrieta, A., Guillein, J. (2011). The Private Health Care Sector and the Provison of Parental Crae Services in America. World Development, 39(4) , 579-587. Claudia, C. (2010). Macrosystematic Reforms in the Health Care System for Eastern European Countries. Journal of Economics and Management, 10(2), 124-128. Feldster, M. (2009). Balancing the Goal of Health Care Provision. Social Science and Medicine, 31(6), 45-49. Juni, M. (2006). P ublic Health Care Provision: Access and Equity. Social Science and Medicine, 43(5), 759-768. Parmmolli, F., Riccaboni, M., Magazzini, L. (2011). The Sustainability of European Health Care System: Beyond Income and Ageing. Journal of Economic s and Management, 10(1), 199-209. This research paper on Health care Reforms in G8 Countries and Turkey was written and submitted by user Avery Estes to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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Ryanair airline Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Ryanair airline - Case Study Example Yet it raises opportunities for the low-fare carrier segment, such as Ryanair that is a rising star in the skies of Europe, having been performing well post 9/11. The aim of this report is to analyse the overall performance of Ryanair in the fast-changing environment, and then few recommendations will be provided. Conclusions will be drawn at the end of this report. Irish-owned Ryanair, founded in 1985, began to introduce a low cost operating model in the early 1990s. The company primarily serves short-haul, point-to-point routes that target business commuters and leisure travellers by offering low, multi-tier fare pricing and sngle-classs air transportation. Having overtaken EasyJet, Ryanair is now the largest low-cost carrier in Europe In January 2000. (Doganis, 2001) The company offers approximately 475 scheduled flights per day serving 84 locations in 14 EU countries. The worldwide commercial aviation has suffered from terrorist attacks of 9/11. The tragedy dramatically decreases the number of passengers and pushed Airline industry facing deterioration in their financial positions. Similarly, impact of SARS and Iraq War reduce willingness of people to travel outside their countries. Since 1997, the Euro... For example, any airlines holding a valid Air Operators Certificate in the EU have right to operate on any route within the European Union, including flights wholly operating within another country. On May 1st 2004, ten new members joined the EU as part of EU enlargement. The era of single European sky related to Open-Sky Treaty, allowing point-to-point service between any EU countries is approaching and airline companies will benefit from consolidation; on the other hand, they will have to confront fiercer competitions against each other. (Loddenberg, 2004) The price-sensitivity for routes to and within accession countries is naturally suited to low cost airlines. The average Ryanair fare in 2003/4 was 40 and the expectation is a 38 average fare in 2004/5. The net margin fell from 28% in 2002/3 to 21% in 2003/4 and is predicted to fall to 18% in 2004/5. The net margin has thus fallen by 10 points in two years. While the margin exceeds the industry average, it may come under pressure from factors such as further falls in yields and the lack of scope for more reductions in an already low cost base. Economic factors Economic recession Overall, the world's economy is slowdown, which affects European economy as well. People are reluctant to spend money in leisure activities. Currency fluctuation In related to companies' operating costs, currency fluctuation affects those companies' revenues that are not in US dollars. Weakness in US dollars enables fuel cost reduction. Social and cultural factors Population intensity High level of population density in the EU region (six times larger than the USA) is likely to stimulate the growth of short-haul point-to-point routes within Europe, which provides major opportunities for low-cost

ASSIGNMENT ON EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSE Essay - 1

ASSIGNMENT ON EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSE - Essay Example It is against this background that this paper provides an in depth analysis of the external environment of the proposed Castle Hotel in light of the PEST model. To enhance coherence, the paper begins by justifying the entry into the hotel industry. As indicated earlier, the hotel industry in New Zealand offers a lucrative environment for sustained growth. The decision to enter into this business was informed by various factors. To begin with, the industry is all seasonal. In this regard, Hall (2000) indicates that the hotel industry deals with the most basic human needs and it is unlikely that one would miss clients at any point in the year. Preliminary researches indicate that Auckland City is a hub for tourists and business persons from across the globe. Providing a hotel with six star standards will probably give the investor a chance to explore this market niche with ease. PEST analysis reviews the political, economic, social and technological facets of the business environment. This is fundamental in enabling the investors to identify any opportunities for growth and seize them in a timely and effective manner. Furthermore, investors can use this information to minimize threats that compromise sustainable growth and development of a particular business. The political environment of any country greatly influences the performance of both local and international business. Respective governments have put in place rules and regulations that need to be adhered to by investors. If these are not supportive of economic growth, they can cripple relative development initiatives. With respect to the hotel business venture, the political environment in New Zealand offers distinct opportunities that can be effectively explored for growth and development. In his review, Elebiary (2012) indicates that the enlargement of the European Union has opened up the destination for increased international tourist arrivals. In addition, the government has huge incentives for the est ablishment and development of luxurious hotels. This according to Elebiary (2012) is due to the fact that the hotels contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product. However, there are political threats that are likely to affect the success of this business. Reportedly, governments charge huge taxes from these star hotels. In addition, there are stringent rules and huge penalties for hotels that fail to comply with the established health and safety rules. To address issues pertaining to huge taxes, the hotel will equally charge high prices to cater for all the operating costs. The economic facet of this analysis underscores the economic trends in the country which have direct impacts on the performance of this luxurious hotel. Being an international venture, this business will attract clientele from the international pool too (Birt, 2004). The first opportunity offered in the economic sphere pertains to the 17.1% rise of the global net worth of individuals (E lebiary, 2012). This implies that the industry is likely to receive more clients. Then, economic trends ascertain that this industry is not commonly affected by recession. Most importantly, the growing national Growth domestic product (GDP) of New Zealand and other countries in the European Union imply that more individuals will be able to afford the luxurious services that

“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell Essay Example for Free

â€Å"To His Coy Mistress† by Andrew Marvell Essay Andrew Marvell’s poem â€Å"to his coy mistress† is about a man trying to convince a mistress to love and enter a sexual relationship with him because life is too short. But the woman is being coy and playing coy games. The man says that her virginity or beauty will last forever so she needs to make use of it while she’s still young and alive otherwise nobody will be interested in or want her. The purpose of this poem is to show that some people will do or say anything just so they get what they want. The emotion this poem creates is a passion for love and what may happen if they don’t make love. This poem uses many craftsmanship techniques such as structure, language and sounds, imagery, and movement. The poem is structured into three stanzas or poetic paragraphs. These stanzas do not have regular lines but every stanza has paired lines that have the same rhythm and rhyme. The poem has language that is very vivid. It is also presented in a dramatic monologue with lots of exaggeration of time. The effect of language on the poem is that it makes the poem beautiful and provoking. There were three main techniques used. The first technique is Simile. Simile is used to give us a greater understanding and image of what is going on with the man and the woman. An example of a simile used is the line â€Å"and now, like â€Å"am’rous birds of prey†. The effect of simile in this poem is that we would now have a better understand of what the situation is like. Another technique used is allusion. Allusion is used to give a deeper meaning to a poem by referring to another work that has a similar theme. It can give the reader a better understanding of the poem. Two examples of allusion are the lines â€Å"love you ten years before the flood† and â€Å"Till the conversion of the Jews†. The effect allusion in this poem is that it is a way for the poet to emphasize the main point the poet is trying to make – which is that the man would love the woman ten years before the beginning of the world until the end of the world. The last technique used is symbolism. Symbolism is used to add a hidden layer of depth into the poem and it also lets the poet create images in the poem. An example of symbolism used is the line â€Å"my vegetable love should grow†. The word vegetable used in that line is to suggest the growing sense of the man’s love. The effect of symbolism in this poem is to show the man’s love for the woman and how it will never stop yet it will keep on growing. In conclusion, â€Å"to his coy mistress† has used many craftsmanship techniques to express the poet’s opinion and to convince the mistress. The poem is special as it includes a dramatic monologue as well as an argument and conclusion. This poem is just like a story.

Jerusalem in the Scriptures :: Christianity Bible Scriptures Essays

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Cupid Metaphors Essay

In Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, metaphors concerning the moon, flowers, and Cupid are prevalent and have a significant impact on the play. The play focuses on a romantic situation between four Athenians: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. As the story unravels, many comparisons are made to enhance the language and the messages that the characters try to convey. The moon is personified as a chaste woman who can be both gentle and fiery. Flowers are used as romantic symbols with the power to influence love. Cupid is personified as an armed child who strikes people’s hearts even if that love was not meant to be. Various events in the play are compared to the moon, which is constantly being personified as a woman. In the beginning of the play, Hippolyta and Theseus are discussing how they are to get married in four days. Theseus complains about how slowly the moon wanes. He compares the moon to a stepmother and a widow who keeps her stepson waiting for his inheritance because it takes so long for her to die (1:1, 1-6). Theseus is saying that the days are passing by too slowly and he wants to get married already. As the play progresses, Theseus tells Hermia that her life will consist solely of â€Å"chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon† (1:1, 73). Once again, the moon is personified as a cold and barren woman. Theseus warns Hermia that if she chooses not to comply with her father’s wishes, she will stay a virgin priestess forever, living her entire life without a husband or children, just like the moon. The moon is compared to things much more destructive and emotional later on in the play. Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of fairies, have been in a disagreement for a long period of time. Their constant fighting has affected nature adversely, causing spring, summer, fertile autumn, and angry winter to change places. Titania vividly describes their arguments as having caused the moon, the â€Å"governess of floods,† to be pale in anger, filling the air with rheumatic diseases (2:1, 103-104). The moon is personified as a female ruler who controls the tides of the ocean. It is also given the human emotion of anger when it turns pale. When Bottom and Titania are together, Bottom speaks about crying for mustardseeds being eaten by oxen. Titania states â€Å"the moon methinks looks with a watery eye; and when she weeps, weeps every little flower, lamenting some enforcà ¨d chastity† (3:1, 193-195). Titania says that the moon is â€Å"misty-eyed, and when she weeps, so does every little flower in grief for violated chastity.† The moon is again personified as a woman and she is crying because the mustardseeds have been wronged. When it is time for Bottom to sleep, Titania orders her fairies â€Å"to fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes† (3:1, 168). The first metaphor â€Å"to fan the moonbeams† is comparing moonlight to a solid substance that can be fanned away. The second metaphor is the sleeping eyes of Bottom. Bottom’s eyes are not literally sleeping. It is Bottom who is doing the sleeping, not his eyes. Flowers are associated with love and emotions throughout the play. Theseus attempts to convince Hermia to marry Demetrius so that she would not have to spend the rest of her life living as a virgin priestess of the moon goddess. He tells her that it is better to live a life with love in it even if it is not the love she originally desired rather than to live without love at all. Theseus says â€Å"thrice-blessà ¨d they that master so their blood to undergo such maiden pilgrimage; but earthlier happy is the rose distilled than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness† (1:1, 74-78). He compares women who are chaste to unplucked roses who wither up and die. Married women are compared to roses that have been plucked and made into a sweet perfume (1:1, 76-78). Oberon desires an Indian prince that was given to Titania by the prince’s mother. In order to obtain the Indian prince, Oberon plans to make Titania fall in love with a beast by spreading the juice of a flower on her eyelids while she is sleeping. He tells the story of how this special flower came into existence. Cupid took aim at a beautiful young virgin queen, but his fiery arrow was put out by the watery, virginal moonbeams and struck a little western flower. The flower which used to be white as milk, turned purple from being wounded by the arrow of love (2:1, 155-168). The flower is personified and given the ability to be afflicted with love in this play. When Titania wakes, she is compelled to fall madly in love with Bottom, clumsy and grotesque with an ass’ head. When he goes to sleep, Titania tells Bottom to stay with her, saying â€Å"I’ll give thee fairies to attend on thee, and they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, and sing while thou on pressà ¨d flowers dost sleep† (3:1, 150-153). The flowers are compared to soothing objects that can calm people and bring sleep. Seeing Titania and Bottom together, Oberon cannot believe how someone as beautiful as Titania can dote on Bottom, whose looks are repulsive. Before she fell asleep, Titania wove a wreath of fresh, fragrant flowers for Bottom and placed it on his hairy forehead. Oberon cannot stand to see such beautiful flowers rest on Bottom’s hairy temples. Oberon states that the flowers on Bottom’s head had â€Å"tears that did their own disgrace bewail† (4:1, 54-55). He says that the drops of dew that lay in the center of the flowers made the flowers look like they were crying in shame to be decorating the head of an ugly jackass. The flowers are personified as people who can cry and feel degradation. In love with Hermia, Demetrius pushes Helena away. Helena, heartbroken, complains about love and Cupid. She says â€Å"and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgment taste† (1:2, 235-236). In modern times, we say â€Å"love is blind,† however, in this case cupid is blind. Helena personifies love as a child who does not have any judgment. Cupid is so often misled in making a choice because of his rash judgment. When telling the story of the flower, Oberon says â€Å"Young Cupid’s fiery shaft quenched in the chaste beams of the watery moon† (2:1, 161-162). The â€Å"fiery shaft† is a metaphor used for Cupid’s arrow which can cause fiery passionate love. Fixing the love damage that Puck created, Oberon spreads the love juice on Demetrius’ eyes while he is sleeping. While doing so, Oberon says â€Å"Flower of this purple dye, hit with Cupid’s archery, sink in apple of his eye† (3:2, 102-104). The first metaphor â€Å"flower of this purple dye, hit with Cupid’s archery† is comparing the purple flower to Cupid’s bow. By saying this, Oberon is saying that the flower can â€Å"hit† the same way a bow of Cupid can. The second metaphor of this line is â€Å"sink in apple of his eye.† The metaphor is referring to the â€Å"apple† of Demetrius’ eyes, comparing it to his passions and desires. Love is much talked about throughout the play. Hermia’s father is full of anger and he does not support Lysander and Hermia’s relationship. Lysander tells Hermia that â€Å"the course of true love never did run smooth† (1:1, 134). Lysander is saying that love is hard and it can feel like a long and rough road for two lovers. In Lysander and Hermia’s grief and despair, Lysander makes a speech about the transience of love. Love is â€Å"swift as a shadow, short as any dream, brief as the lightning in the collied night† (1:1, 144-145). Lysander compares the briefness of love to the quickness of a shadow, a dream, and a lightning. He means that with love comes many difficulties, such as pressure from parents, sickness, or death. Lysander goes on to say â€Å"The jaws of darkness do devour it up; so quick bright things come to confusion† (1:1, 148-149). He compares his love with Hermia to something bright but fades away quickly because of the confusion brought to it by time and nature. When asked to give up her child to Oberon, Titania refuses, telling him that this Indian prince was given to her by his mother, a female worshipper. She says â€Å"when we have laughed to see the sails conceive and grow big-bellied with the wanton wind† (2:1, 128-129). Titania is saying that when the sails filled up with wind, they looked like they had big, pregnant bellies. She is comparing the sails of ships to big, pregnant bellies of women. Due to Oberon’s unspecific details on whose eyes Puck was suppose to spread the love juice on, causes Lysander to fall in love with Helena. When Hermia questions Lysander, he treats her cruelly saying â€Å"Get you gone, you dwarf, you minimus of hindering knotgrass made, you bead, you acorn† (3:2, 328-330). Lysander is insulting Hermia, calling her a dwarf, a tiny little weed, scrap, and an acorn. In this metaphor, he compares Hermia to a tiny, unwanted plant, useless scrap, and an acorn. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is encased with many metaphors pertaining to the moon, flowers, and Cupid of the play. As the reader follows the Athenian lovers and the fairies on their journeys, various messages are conveyed through symbols and metaphors. The language and messages evokes vivid images in the reader’s head. The moon is compared to a woman who is capable of controlling time, controlling the seas, crying, and being fruitless. Flowers are symbols of romance, raw human emotions, and fairy magic. The flowers can metaphorically make people feel compelled to fall in love and are also capable of crying and feeling shame in this play. Cupid is portrayed as a controller of love. Just like love, Cupid is a young boy who is irrational. He is a child with a blindfold and wings, ready to take aim randomly, causing people to be afflicted with love. The moon, flowers, and Cupid are the main themes of metaphors presented in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.