Environmental Impacts of Batteries

Environmental Impacts of Batteries Introduction: In this report we plan to research, compare and analyse the different types, manufacturers and environmental impacts of batteries so as to determine whether or not there is one battery that is superior to the rest and if so, how it is superior. In order to do this, however, we must first understand more about batteries. Therefore, we will first investigate how a battery works, as well as primary and secondary cells and recharge and discharge cycles. Research must also be done into the different manufactures of batteries within South Africa. Once we have a fuller understanding of the basics, we will be able to analyse in more detail the characteristics of different types of batteries, in this case focusing on the most popular ones. We will also look into how these batteries impact the environment whether it is in a positive or negative way and how we can properly dispose of these batteries so as to reduce any harm they may inflict, both on the environment and humankind. What is a Battery? A battery consists of a multiple number of electrochemical cells linked together, which converts chemical energy to electrical energy by means of self-sustaining spontaneous electrode reactions in order to produce an electrical current when connected to a closed circuit. Each electrochemical cell comprises of two half cells which contain an electrode and an electrolyte. The two half cells are connected by a salt bridge in order to create ionic contact for the two electrolytes for the free movement of ions and to prevent the electrolytes from mixing in the case of two different solutions being used, which would cause unwanted side reactions. An example of a salt bridge would be a strip of filter paper which has been soaked in a solution of potassium nitrate. Other means of separation of electrolytes include the use of gel solutions and porous pots. In the majority of modern, commercial batteries, a different electrolyte is used in each half cell, and to prevent mixing, a porous separator is used which only allows the passing through of ions. The electrolyte of the two half cells is a solution which is capable of conduction of electricity due to the presence of free negatively and positively charged ions. In one of the half cells, positively charged ions (cations) are attracted to the cathode (positive electrode); while in the other half cell, negatively charged ions (anions) are attracted to the anode (negative electrode). In the redox reactions which cause the conversion from chemical energy to electrical energy, oxidation (loss of electrons) occurs at the anode to the negatively charged electrons; and reduction (gain of electrons) occurs at the cathode to the positively charged electrons. Illustration of a Redox reaction The electrochemical cell produces an electromotive force (emf) and is the difference in voltage between the two electrodes. For example, if the one electrodes voltage is 3V and the other electrodes voltage is 1V, the net emf of the cell is 2V. Primary and Secondary Cells: Batteries are classified into two main groups: Primary batteries irreversibly convert chemical energy to electrical energy (once the initial supply of reactants has been used up, the electrochemical reaction cannot be reversed by inducing an electrical current and thus the energy cannot be restored to the cell). Secondary batteries can be recharged by reversing the electrochemical reaction by inducing an electrical current. Primary Cell: A primary cell is any type of battery of which the chemical reactions are irreversible the chemical reactants cannot be restored and thus a primary cell has to be discarded once it is depleted. Primary batteries come into use for when long periods of time in storage are needed as a primary batteries are constructed to have lower self-discharge rates than secondary batteries, so all of the capacity is available when in need for useful purposes. Devices that require a small amount of current for a long period of time also use primary batteries as the self-discharge current of secondary batteries would exceed the load current and cut down service time to a few days or weeks (eg, a torch must work when needed, even if it has been on a shelf for a considerably long period of time. Primary cells are also more cost-efficient in such a case, since secondary batteries would use only a small percentage of available recharge cycles. Reserve batteries are capable of achieving a very long storage time (ten years or more) without the loss of capacity, by physically separating the components of the battery and only assembling them again at times of use. However, such batteries are expensive. When in use, primary batteries become polarized (hydrogen builds up at the cathode and in turn reduces the effectiveness of the battery. In order to remove the hydrogen, a depolarizer is used. Depolarizers can be mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical. Although previous attempts have been made to create self-depolarizing cells by roughening the surface area of the copper plate to encourage the hydrogen bubbles to detach, they have had a large failure rate. Examples of primary cells: Alkaline cell Aluminium cell Lithium cell Mercury cell Zinc-carbon cell Secondary batteries: A secondary battery is cell of which the chemical reactions can be reversed and therefore energy can be restored to the cell. This is done by connecting the cell to an electrical current. The electricity initiates non-spontaneous redox reactions in order to restore the chemical reactants. Secondary cells, when purchased, could not be used immediately and would have to be recharged before use. Although today, most secondary cells are created with lower self-discharge rates, allowing the purchaser to use the battery immediately as the battery already holds about 70% of the stated capacity. The energy used in charging secondary batteries mainly comes from AC current using an adapter unit. Many battery chargers take several hours to recharge a battery. Most batteries are capable of being recharged in a much smaller amount of time than what most commercial, simple battery chargers are capable of. Although a few companies are producing chargers that are able to recharge AA and AAA size NiMH batteries in just 15 minutes, high rates of charging (15 minutes to 1 hour) will cause long term damage to NiMH and most other rechargeable batteries. Secondary batteries are susceptible to damage by means of reverse charging if they are fully discharged. Also, attempting to recharge primary batteries possesses a small chance of causing an explosion of the battery. Flow batteries, which are not commonly used by consumers, are recharged by replacing the electrolyte liquid of the cell(s). The technical notes of battery companies often refer to VPC. VPC means volts per cell, and refers to the individual secondary cells making up the battery (eg, to charge a 12V battery which contains six cells of 2V each at 2.3 VPC, needs a voltage of 13.8V across the terminals of the battery). Most NiMH AA and AAA batteries rate their cells at 1.2V. However, this is not a relatively large problem in most devices as alkaline batteries voltage drops as the energy is expended. Most devices are constructed to continue to operate at a reduced voltage between 0.9V and 1.1V. Industrial secondary cells are used in grid energy storage applications for load leveling, where electrical energy is stored and is used for the duration of peak load periods, as well as for renewable energy purposes such as the storage of electrical energy which has been generated from photovoltaic arrays (solar panels) during the day to be used in the evening. By recharging cells or batteries during periods when demand for power is low and then returning the energy to the system (or grid) during periods when the demand for power is high, load-leveling aids to eliminate needs for extremely expensive power plants and also eases the cost of generators over a greater period of operation. Discharge and Recharge Cycles in Batteries: Recharge and discharge cycles The purpose of a cell is to store energy and release it at the given time in a contained manner; however, only secondary cells can be recharged. The electrochemical reaction that occurs in the fluid electrolyte of a wet (secondary) cell is reversible, unlike dry or primary cells; this allows the charge to be restored. The three most popular types of rechargeable batteries that are found today are nickel-based (NiCd NiMH), lithium-ion and lead-based cells. C-rate C-rate is the measurement of the charge and discharge current of a cell. Almost all transportable cells are rated at 1 Coulomb (1C). This means that a 1000mAh battery, if discharged at 1C, would give 1000mA for one hour. The same applies if the discharge was halved (0.5C) this would provide half the amount of current (500mA) for twice the duration (2 hours). A 1C cell is referred to as an hour discharge, the most common portable cell we have is the 20-hour Lead-based discharge cells (0.05C) found in cars. Lead-Acid Cells The C-rate of a lead-acid cell is not set to a constant like other cells, as achieving 100% capacitance at any discharge rate is difficult. The offset is done in order to compensate for the varying measurements at the differing currents; automatically adjusting the capacity of the cell is discharged at a higher/lower C-rate than originally thought. Portable lead-based cells are rated at 0.05C given a 20-hour discharge. The offset is represented in Peukerts law. Peukerts law: represents the capacitance of a lead-acid cell in terms of C-rate. As the rate of discharge increases, the batterys available capacity decreases and vice-versa. Fast and slow discharging/recharging of a lead-acid cell At the beginning of when a lead-acid cell is charged or discharged, the chemicals present in the acid electrolyte at the point between the positive and negative electrodes (the interface) are affected. The change in these chemicals, results in a charge that is formed at the interface. This interface charge eventually spreads throughout the active material in the volume. Fast charging a completely discharged cell for a couple of minutes causes the charge to develop near the interface of the battery, when left for duration of time (Â ± a couple of hours) the charge spreads throughout the volume of the cell, meaning the interface charge of the cell is too low for the cell to actually function. Likewise, if the cell is discharged quickly it will appear to be dead but it has only lost its interface charge. Meaning after a few minutes wait, it should be able to function. If the battery is charged slowly, over a long duration of time, then it will become more fully charged (than that of a fast charge). This is as a result of the interface charge having more time to redistribute itself into the volume of the electrodes and acid electrolyte, as well as itself (the interface charge) being recharged. In addition, if the cell is being discharged slowly, then when the battery appears to be has died it most likely has been fully discharged. Depth of discharge of Lead-acid batteries The depth of discharge (DOD) of a cell is the percentage of the batterys current that it is discharged per hour. The optimum temperature a battery should be charged/discharged is around 25Â °C (77Â °F), anything higher and up until 50Â °C (122Â °F), is tolerable. The cycle life of lead-acid batteries is exactly proportional to the depth of its discharges. Â ±200 cycles after battery discharged fully (100% DOD) Â ±500 cycles after battery partial discharge (50% DOD) 1000+ cycles after battery shallowly discharged (DOD) Lead-acid batteries are charged not be discharged over 1.75V/cell, nor should it be stored in a discharged state. The cells of a discharged lead-acid sulfate, a condition that renders the battery useless if left in that state for a few days. Always keep the open terminal voltage at 2.10V and higher. Charge and discharging of lithium- ion cells Discharging Lithium-ion batteries only works within the temperature limit of -20Â °C to 60Â °C (-4Â °F to 140Â °F). The chemical reaction is reversed within the battery and the current flow is carried from the negative to the positive electrode by the movement of Li+ ions, through the non-aqueous electrolyte. The cycle life of lithium-ion batteries is directly related to the batterys depth of discharge, the higher the capacity of discharge, the less number of cycles it can go through. Charging Lithium-ion cells requires an external electrical power source (charger) that applies a higher voltage but of equal difference (normally 4.05V/cell) to that developed by the batterys own chemistry. This causes the current to flow in the opposite direction, meaning the lithium ions migrate from the cathode to the anode, and they become intercalated in the porous electrode material of the cell, thereby replenishing its charge. Charge and discharge cycles in nickel- based batteries (NiCd NiMH) The reliability as well as longevity of Nickel-based batteries hinges, predominantly, on the quality of the charger. Nickel- based cells should always remained cool when being charged as elevated temperatures shortens battery life. A rise in temperature cannot be avoided due to the chemical reaction in the nickel-based cells, yet in order to be charged properly the spike in temperature has to be as short as possible. If the temperature of the battery remains higher than room temperature for an ample amount of time, the battery should be removed, as it is not being charged correctly Nickel-based batteries can be charged at several different rates using a variety of chargers: Slow charger of nickel- based cells take between 14-16 hours at a fixed charge of 0.1C (1/10 of nickel cells 1C capacity) this however causes crystalline formation within the cell, this causes the subsequent drop in voltage at that point in its charge cycle where recharging began, as if the cell is being discharged Rapid Charger of nickel-based cells takes between 3-6 hours to fully charge, this charger switches the cell to trickle charge (charging with a very small current) when it is ready. Fast charger of nickel-based cells takes approximately one hour to charge the battery; this is the preferred way to charge nickel-based cells as it reduces crystalline formation or memory within the battery however, the battery is at a higher risk of overcharging, which can damage the battery. However all new Nickel-based batteries should be trickle-charged for a day before being used as this ensures that all cells are equally charged within the battery. Nickel Metal-hydride batter The charging voltage of NiMH ranges between 1.4-1.6 V/cell fully charged and 1.25 V/cell during discharge, down to about 1.0-1.1 V/cell Nickel cadmium battery The charging voltage of NiCd is between 1.3 -1.4V per cell when fully charged and about 0.8-1 V when discharged If the nickel-based batteries are discharged at a rate higher than 1c, the end of discharge point is lower than 0.9V a cell. This compensates for the voltage drop at higher temperatures induced by the internal resistance of the cell also other factor which contribute to the drop (iring, contact etc) the lower point produces better capacity readings for the nickel-based cells when discharging at lower temperatures. South African companies that manufacture batteries The Willard Battery Company is a fully owned South African company that manufactures motor vehicle batteries and is located in Roodepoort, Port Elizabeth. The main types of cell they manufacture are SLI lead-acid batteries for use in powering the starter motor, lights, and the ignition system of a cars engine. First National battery is a battery manufacturer that came about after the merger of four smaller battery-manufacturing companies (First national battery, Raylight, Oldham and Chloride). Their main products are SLI lead-acid batteries used in vehicles (passenger and commercial), mono-block lead-alloy batteries used in railways, lead-alloy cells (deep-cycle, RR, tubular and Solar) used for as standby reserve batteries in marine vehicles and as well solar batteries. Deltec Power Distributors is a South African distributor of a wide variety local and internationally produced high quality Lead-calcium car batteries and standalones, since 1979. SABAT Batteries is part of Powertech Batteries, a branch of the Altron Group South Africa. SABATSs main operations include the manufacture and distribution of lead-acid cells, low-maintenance hybrid lead-calcium cells, and maintenance-free calcium and normal calcium batteries Dixon Premium batteries is South African company founded in 1953 and is based in Vereeninging Johannesburg. Their main product is a 12-volt SMF lead-acid cell for use in motor (and/or other) vehicles. Free Start Power is a Local company that manufactures SLI lead-acid batteries for the use in vehicles (commercial, passenger and aquatic) The Most Popular Types of Battery: The three most common and more popularly used types of batteries are the lithium-ion battery (examples are in notebook computers and medical devices), nickel-based batteries (such as in two way-radios and power-tools in the nickel-cadmium battery and laptop computers and mobile phones in the nickel-metal-hydride battery), and of course the lead-acid battery (mostly found in wheelchairs, emergency lighting system and cars). Nickel-cadmium Battery: The nickel-cadmium battery consists of a nickel (III) oxide- hydroxide (Ni(OH)3) plate as the positive electrode (the cathode), a cadmium plate as the negative electrode (the anode) and an alkaline electrolyte usually made from potassium hydroxide (KOH). There is also a separator that isolates the two electrode plates. These are all rolled into a spiral shape and enclosed in a casing using a metal, self-sealing plate (known as the jelly-roll design). This original cell design is what differentiates the nickel-cadmium battery from the older, more traditional alkaline cell. The structure of the nickel-cadmium cell allows more of the electrode to be in contact with the electrolyte, thus lowering the internal resistance of the battery and increasing the maximum current that can be delivered, whereas in the alkaline cell a graphite rod is placed in a casing filled with the electrolyte, resulting in a much smaller area of the electrode being in contact with the electrolyte. In a nickel-cadmium battery, the chemical reactions are as follows: Nickel electrode (cathode): 2NiO(OH) + 2H2O + 2e? 2Ni(OH)2 + 2OH? Cadmium electrode (anode): Cd + 2OH? Cd(OH)2 + 2e? Therefore, the net reaction in the cells of a nickel-cadmium battery is: 2NiO(OH) + Cd + 2H2O 2Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2 When a nickel-cadmium cell is tested on a device such as a cell phone, it typically produces a very low internal resistance: about 155 milli-Ohms (m?). This resistance is largely affected by the state of charge the battery is in. The resistance is highest during two stages: when there is a low charge and immediately after charging. Therefore, the maximum possible current is actually achieved after a period of rest after the battery has been charged, with the internal resistance varying between 100 to 200 milli-Ohms, with the cell emf ranging from 0.0 to 1.3V. Both the maximum current and the capacity of this cell are influenced by the internal resistance. As previously stated, the low resistance means that the nickel-cadmium cell can produce quite a high maximum current. The secondary cells that make up the nickel-cadmium battery each have a capacity of about 1.2 Volts; therefore a standard battery with a 7.2V capacity (6 cell pack) should produce around a 900 mA current without diminishing for a long period of time. This ability of the battery to provide a high current for extended periods makes it one of the most popular battery types. Nickel-metal-hydride Battery: The main (and possibly most distinguishing) difference between the nickel-metal-hydride battery and the nickel-cadmium battery is that the nickel-metal-hydride doesnt use any toxic metals. Where the nickel-cadmium battery uses cadmium to form the hydrogen-absorbing anode, this battery uses an electrode made from a metal-hydride, typically an alloy mixture of Lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium and possible other rare-earth elements, as well as a metal that is usually cobalt, nickel, manganese and/or aluminium. This makes the metal-hydride anode an intermetallic compound. Lithium-ion Battery: The lithium-ion battery is one of the newest and fastest developing technologies in the battery world. As this cell was introduced to the public shortly after the nickel-metal-hydride battery, some believe that the nickel-metal-hydride cell was a crucial step in the development of the lithium-ion cell. In a lithium-ion cell, the electrodes (anode and cathode) are made from compounds which lithium can move through. When lithium is moved into the electrode it is called migration; when it moves out it is called extraction. The movement of the lithium, via the electrolyte, between the anode and the cathode depends on whether the cell is charging or discharging. The reason lithium-ion is used instead of lithium metal is that lithium metal is highly unstable when used in the batteries discharge and recharge cycles, making it very unsafe for conventional use. Therefore, this battery is a non-metallic battery. Lead-acid Battery: As the name suggests, this type of battery consists of two substances: Lead and an acid. There are two types of solid lead in the battery which form the two electrodes. The negative electrode (anode) is made from pure lead (Pb) while the positive electrode (cathode) is made from lead dioxide (PbO2). It is important to remember that lead has an oxidation number of 0, while lead dioxide is +4, as it is the change in these numbers due to the reaction in the cells that will cause a flow of electricity. The acid in the battery forms the electrolyte. This acid is the compound Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), which is also mixed with water (H2O). This acid remains in the ionised form of two H+ protons and an SO42- ion. This is due to the fact that Sulfuric Acid will only lose one of its protons when it comes into contact with the water, saving the other for reaction with the lead on either electrode. When the two electrodes are placed into the electrolyte and the circuit is completed, both electrodes will begin to form a coating of lead sulfate (PbSO4) around the original compound. Therefore, we can draw up the half reactions that define the chemical process in a lead-acid battery. A typical, conventional lead-acid battery consists of a 6V pack, i.e. the battery has 6 cells in it, with each cell having a capacity of 2 Volts (emf is equal to approximately 2.041 V in each cell). The internal resistance depends on the maximum voltage that is currently flowing through the battery. In a fully charged 12.6 Volt lead-acid battery, the internal resistance is about 10 milliohms. This very low resistance results in the high maximum current that the battery can produce. However, unlike the nickel-cadmium battery, it can only produce this current for a very limited amount of time (200 to 300 cycles), after which the current will begin to diminish and internal resistance will begin to increase. The resistance is also affected by the number of cells in the battery, i.e. the more cells, the higher the joint internal resistance. The most common application of the lead-acid battery is the motorcar battery, also known as a lead-acid accumulator. This type of battery (usually 6V or 12V) uses a dynamo to recharge the battery and store energy while the car is turned off, so that it doesnt run flat. The Recycling and Disposal of Battery Components: Chelsey Moubray An electrical battery is a combination of one or more electrochemical cells, used to convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Where do you use batteries? Batteries form an essential part of everyday life. As consumers, we make regular use of these electrical units to perform a variety of different things. When speaking about small electronic items, batteries are the most common systems that are used to power things such as cameras, cellular phones, watches, laptops, remotes, most flashlights and many other household items. Every car is powered by an electrical car battery that enables mobility and these batteries are considered one of the most important purposes of batteries. Alkaline batteries are used to power these massive car batteries as well as radios, carbon-zinc batteries for childrens play toys and torches. Lithium is mainly used in batteries for things such as your camera, a calculator or your watch but sometimes mercury is also used for these various items. Mercury is also used for hearing aids, which are also powered by silver and zinc batteries. Batteries are a very important component in our day to day lives. To put it simply, they make everything a lot easier for us. Introducing a whole new spectrum of electronic appliances and equipment, we have easier ways to listen to music, know the time, travel faster and even listen without too much difficulty. To execute these functions we need to choose between two types of batteries that are used today; Primary Batteries and Secondary Batteries. A Primary battery is more commonly known as a disposable battery and can be used for portable devices that demand an immediate and direct current when switched on. The advantage for homes is that these batteries are easily accessed but can only be used once and must be thrown away after. The other battery is not only a better option for households but is also a healthier option for the environment*. These Secondary batteries are also know as rechargeable batteries, and must be charged before use. These batteries can be used many times, as they are rechargeable and perform the same job as a Primary battery. In conclusion, we use batteries in many different areas but mainly to power items that are a major part of everyday life. Like we are dependent on our cars and our watches for the time, we are therefore dependent on batteries. They form a large purpose in our lives and must use safely. In order to verify this safety we must learn to dispose of our batteries correctly. How do you dispose of batteries? To begin with, there are few standard procedures that should be followed when dealing with batteries. Never dispose of batteries in a fire source because it is likely that they will explode. Make sure never to place batteries in a group because if they contain even a small amount of power, when banged together they may release a charge that could result in them catching fire which can have devastating results. When it is apparent that a battery can no longer power its appliance, it must be removed immediately because it may leak. And lastly, never place a battery in a pocket because it may burst and cause another leakage. The first step to the adequate disposal of a battery is to place a powerless battery in some sort of container until you can correctly recycle it. Every battery is now considered to be hazardous waste. Because they contain very toxic metals such as Mercury, they have been classified as unsuitable to be thrown away as standard municipal solid waste. Batteries are not to be placed in communal dumps because there is a chance that these toxic metals can have a serious and perpetual effect on the surrounding environment.* Some of the batteries that are required to be accurately disposed of are batteries that can be found in; power tools, mobiles, various monitors, portable lamps, investigative electronic gear, flashlights etc. The new disposal requirement applies to all types and all sizes of batteries, including but not limited to: Alkaline, Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), Silver button (Ag), Mercury (Hg), sealed lead acid (Pb), Wet lead acid, Carbon-zinc, and Lithium Ion. There are a number of standard alkaline batteries that are not classified as harmful and can be thrown away as regular household waste but it is recommended for the batteries containing lithium, mercuric, oxide, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride and silver oxide to be recycled. Most recycling areas contain a department for electrical batteries but it is best to contact your municipality to find out where most suitable to go. As the renowned Duracell battery company stated, Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for alkaline batteries. Some communities offer recycling or collections of alkaline batteries- contact your local government for disposal practices in your area. Impact of Batteries: What is the impact of batteries on humankind? Clearly there is both an adamant negative and positive impact of batteries on humankind. The basic positive impact is that everything is a lot easier for humans. There are numerous activities that have been made possible for us through the creation of batteries. For example: Car Batteries: Car batteries have made mobility possible. Without this invention we would never be able to depend on such a reliable, easily accessible and quick form of transport. The introduction of automobiles has made a hugely positive impact on human kind. Monitors: There are various types of monitors that are used today, one of the most common being the standard hospital heart monitor. These monitors are responsible for keeping people alive. As a source of education and examination, these have formed an incredibly vital part of the medical world. Watches: Without batteries we would never have portable clocks that can be used to easily access the time. Although not a compulsory essential, watches have been said to be one of the most important concepts on a small scale. As mentioned in the previous section, there are hundreds of other manufactured electronic creations that have been made possible by the introduction of batteries. These creations have formed a vital part in humankind development over the last few decades. Without the establishment of batteries, the mechanical world would never have progressed and reached the critical level that it has reached. Enabling huge scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, batteries have formed the foundation blocks of our society and continue to enable extensive studies and research. Although batteries have facilitated a large range of discoveries and activities, they also have a negative impact on humankind. One of the most prominent negative impacts is the dependency on electronic appliances. As a embryonic world we have developed over many centuries, beginning with a very rural state and growing into a mechanical industrial world highly dependent of technology. Included in this technology is the battery. As said before, as one of the foundation blocks of society, communities have become largely dependent on batteries for necessities such as transportation and work, but also less essential activities including entertainment and leisure. As a global community we have survived in circumstances far more extreme than today without the help of batteries and futuristic technology, so it is evident that although accommodating, batteries can be considered un

A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-seven

Eddard He was walking through the crypts beneath Winterfell, as he he had walked a thousand times before. The Kings of Winter watched him pass with eyes of ice, and the direwolves at their feet turned their great stone heads and snarled. Last of all, he came to the tomb where his father slept, with Brandon and Lyanna beside him. â€Å"Promise me, Ned,† Lyanna's statue whispered. She wore a garland of pale blue roses, and her eyes wept blood. Eddard Stark jerked upright, his heart racing, the blankets tangled around him. The room was black as pitch, and someone was hammering on the door. â€Å"Lord Eddard,† a voice called loudly. â€Å"A moment.† Groggy and naked, he stumbled his way across the darkened chamber. When he opened the door, he found Tomard with an upraised fist, and Cayn with a taper in hand. Between them stood the king's own steward. The man's face might have been carved of stone, so little did it show. â€Å"My lord Hand,† he intoned. â€Å"His Grace the King commands your presence. At once.† So Robert had returned from his hunt. It was long past time. â€Å"I shall need a few moments to dress.† Ned left the man waiting without. Cayn helped him with his clothes; white linen tunic and grey cloak, trousers cut open down his plaster-sheathed leg, his badge of office, and last of all a belt of heavy silver links. He sheathed the Valyrian dagger at his waist. The Red Keep was dark and still as Cayn and Tomard escorted him across the inner bailey. The moon hung low over the walls, ripening toward full. On the ramparts, a guardsman in a gold cloak walked his rounds. The royal apartments were in Maegor's Holdfast, a massive square fortress that nestled in the heart of the Red Keep behind walls twelve feet thick and a dry moat lined with iron spikes, a castle-within-a-castle. Ser Boros Blount guarded the far end of the bridge, white steel armor ghostly in the moonlight. Within, Ned passed two other knights of the Kingsguard; Ser Preston Greenfield stood at the bottom of the steps, and Ser Barristan Selmy waited at the door of the king's bedchamber. Three men in white cloaks, he thought, remembering, and a strange chill went through him. Ser Barristan's face was as pale as his armor. Ned had only to look at him to know that something was dreadfully wrong. The royal steward opened the door. â€Å"Lord Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King,† he announced. â€Å"Bring him here,† Robert's voice called, strangely thick. Fires blazed in the twin hearths at either end of the bedchamber, filling the room with a sullen red glare. The heat within was suffocating. Robert lay across the canopied bed. At the bedside hovered Grand Maester Pycelle, while Lord Renly paced restlessly before the shuttered windows. Servants moved back and forth, feeding logs to the fire and boiling wine. Cersei Lannister sat on the edge of the bed beside her husband. Her hair was tousled, as if from sleep, but there was nothing sleepy in her eyes. They followed Ned as Tomard and Cayn helped him cross the room. He seemed to move very slowly, as if he were still dreaming. The king still wore his boots. Ned could see dried mud and blades of grass clinging to the leather where Robert's feet stuck out beneath the blanket that covered him, A green doublet lay on the floor, slashed open and discarded, the cloth crusted with red-brown stains. The room smelled of smoke and blood and death. â€Å"Ned,† the king whispered when he saw him. His face was pale as milk. â€Å"Come . . . closer.† His men brought him close. Ned steadied himself with a hand on the bedpost. He had only to look down at Robert to know how bad it was. â€Å"What . . . ?† he began, his throat clenched. â€Å"A boar.† Lord Renly was still in his hunting greens, his cloak spattered with blood. â€Å"A devil,† the king husked. â€Å"My own fault. Too much wine, damn me to hell. Missed my thrust.† â€Å"And where were the rest of you?† Ned demanded of Lord Renly. â€Å"Where was Ser Barristan and the Kingsguard?† Renly's mouth twitched. â€Å"My brother commanded us to stand aside and let him take the boar alone.† Eddard Stark lifted the blanket. They had done what they could to close him up, but it was nowhere near enough. The boar must have been a fearsome thing. It had ripped the king from groin to nipple with its tusks. The wine-soaked bandages that Grand Maester Pycelle had applied were already black with blood, and the smell off the wound was hideous. Ned's stomach turned. He let the blanket fall. â€Å"Stinks,† Robert said. â€Å"The stink of death, don't think I can't smell it. Bastard did me good, eh? But I . . . I paid him back in kind, Ned.† The king's smile was as terrible as his wound, his teeth red. â€Å"Drove a knife right through his eye. Ask them if I didn't. Ask them.† â€Å"Truly,† Lord Renly murmured. â€Å"We brought the carcass back with us, at my brother's command.† â€Å"For the feast,† Robert whispered. â€Å"Now leave us. The lot of you. I need to speak with Ned.† â€Å"Robert, my sweet lord . . . † Cersei began. â€Å"I said leave,† Robert insisted with a hint of his old fierceness. â€Å"What part of that don't you understand, woman?† Cersei gathered up her skirts and her dignity and led the way to the door. Lord Renly and the others followed. Grand Maester Pycelle lingered, his hands shaking as he offered the king a cup of thick white liquid. â€Å"The milk of the poppy, Your Grace,† he said. â€Å"Drink. For your pain.† Robert knocked the cup away with the back of his hand. â€Å"Away with you. I'll sleep soon enough, old fool. Get out.† Grand Maester Pycelle gave Ned a stricken look as he shuffled from the room. â€Å"Damn you, Robert,† Ned said when they were alone. His leg was throbbing so badly he was almost blind with pain. Or perhaps it was grief that fogged his eyes. He lowered himself to the bed, beside his friend. â€Å"Why do you always have to be so headstrong?† â€Å"Ah, fuck you, Ned,† the king said hoarsely. â€Å"I killed the bastard, didn't I?† A lock of matted black hair fell across his eyes as he glared up at Ned. â€Å"Ought to do the same for you. Can't leave a man to hunt in peace. Ser Robar found me. Gregor's head. Ugly thought. Never told the Hound. Let Cersei surprise him.† His laugh turned into a grunt as a spasm of pain hit him. â€Å"Gods have mercy,† he muttered, swallowing his agony. â€Å"The girl. Daenerys. Only a child, you were right . . . that's why, the girl . . . the gods sent the boar . . . sent to punish me . . .† The king coughed, bringing up blood. â€Å"Wrong, it was wrong, I . . . only a girl . . . Varys, Littlefinger, even my brother . . . worthless . . . no one to tell me no but you, Ned . . . only you . . . † He lifted his hand, the gesture pained and feeble. â€Å"Paper and ink. There, on the table. Write what I tell you.† Ned smoothed the paper out across his knee and took up the quill. â€Å"At your command, Your Grace.† â€Å"This is the will and word of Robert of House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals and all the rest—put in the damn titles, you know how it goes. I do hereby command Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King, to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my . . . upon my death . . . to rule in my . . . in my stead, until my son Joffrey does come of age . . . â€Å" â€Å"Robert . . . † Joffrey is not your son, he wanted to say, but the words would not come. The agony was written too plainly across Robert's face; he could not hurt him more. So Ned bent his head and wrote, but where the king had said â€Å"my son Joffrey,† he scrawled â€Å"my heir† instead. The deceit made him feel soiled. The lies we tell for love, he thought. May the gods forgive me. â€Å"What else would you have me say?† â€Å"Say . . . whatever you need to. Protect and defend, gods old and new, you have the words. Write. I'll sign it. You give it to the council when I'm dead.† â€Å"Robert,† Ned said in a voice thick with grief, â€Å"you must not do this. Don't die on me. The realm needs you.† Robert took his hand, fingers squeezing hard. â€Å"You are . . . such a bad liar, Ned Stark,† he said through his pain. â€Å"The realm . . . the realm knows . . . what a wretched king I've been. Bad as Aerys, the gods spare me.† â€Å"No,† Ned told his dying friend, â€Å"not so bad as Aerys, Your Grace. Not near so bad as Aerys.† Robert managed a weak red smile. â€Å"At the least, they will say . . . this last thing . . . this I did right. You won't fail me. You'll rule now. You'll hate it, worse than I did . . . but you'll do well. Are you done with the scribbling?† â€Å"Yes, Your Grace.† Ned offered Robert the paper. The king scrawled his signature blindly, leaving a smear of blood across the letter. â€Å"The seal should be witnessed.† â€Å"Serve the boar at my funeral feast,† Robert rasped. â€Å"Apple in its mouth, skin seared crisp. Eat the bastard. Don't care if you choke on him. Promise me, Ned.† â€Å"I promise.† Promise me, Ned, Lyanna's voice echoed. â€Å"The girl,† the king said. â€Å"Daenerys. Let her live. If you can, if it . . . not too late . . . talk to them . . . Varys, Littlefinger . . . don't let them kill her. And help my son, Ned. Make him be . . . better than me.† He winced. â€Å"Gods have mercy.† â€Å"They will, my friend,† Ned said. â€Å"They will.† The king closed his eyes and seemed to relax. â€Å"Killed by a pig,† he muttered. â€Å"Ought to laugh, but it hurts too much.† Ned was not laughing. â€Å"Shall I call them back?† Robert gave a weak nod. â€Å"As you will. Gods, why is it so cold in here?† The servants rushed back in and hurried to feed the fires. The queen had gone; that was some small relief, at least. If she had any sense, Cersei would take her children and fly before the break of day, Ned thought. She had lingered too long already. King Robert did not seem to miss her. He bid his brother Renly and Grand Maester Pycelle to stand in witness as he pressed his seal into the hot yellow wax that Ned had dripped upon his letter. â€Å"Now give me something for the pain and let me die.† Hurriedly Grand Maester Pycelle mixed him another draught of the milk of the poppy. This time the king drank deeply. His black beard was beaded with thick white droplets when he threw the empty cup aside. â€Å"Will I dream?† Ned gave him his answer. â€Å"You will, my lord.† â€Å"Good,† he said, smiling. â€Å"I will give Lyanna your love, Ned. Take care of my children for me.† The words twisted in Ned's belly like a knife. For a moment he was at a loss. He could not bring himself to lie. Then he remembered the bastards: little Barra at her mother's breast, Mya in the Vale, Gendry at his forge, and all the others. â€Å"I shall . . . guard your children as if they were my own,† he said slowly. Robert nodded and closed his eyes. Ned watched his old friend sag softly into the pillows as the milk of the poppy washed the pain from his face. Sleep took him. Heavy chains jangled softly as Grand Maester Pycelle came up to Ned. â€Å"I will do all in my power, my lord, but the wound has mortified. It took them two days to get him back. By the time I saw him, it was too late. I can lessen His Grace's suffering, but only the gods can heal him now.† â€Å"How long?† Ned asked. â€Å"By rights, he should be dead already. I have never seen a man cling to life so fiercely.† â€Å"My brother was always strong,† Lord Renly said. â€Å"Not wise, perhaps, but strong.† In the sweltering heat of the bedchamber, his brow was slick with sweat. He might have been Robert's ghost as he stood there, young and dark and handsome. â€Å"He slew the boar. His entrails were sliding from his belly, yet somehow he slew the boar.† His voice was full of wonder. â€Å"Robert was never a man to leave the battleground so long as a foe remained standing,† Ned told him. Outside the door, Ser Barristan Selmy still guarded the tower stairs. â€Å"Maester Pycelle has given Robert the milk of the poppy,† Ned told him. â€Å"See that no one disturbs his rest without leave from me.† â€Å"It shall be as you command, my lord.† Ser Barristan seemed old beyond his years. â€Å"I have failed my sacred trust.† â€Å"Even the truest knight cannot protect a king against himself,† Ned said. â€Å"Robert loved to hunt boar. I have seen him take a thousand of them.† He would stand his ground without flinching, his legs braced, the great spear in his hands, and as often as not he would curse the boar as it charged, and wait until the last possible second, until it was almost on him, before he killed it with a single sure and savage thrust. â€Å"No one could know this one would be his death.† â€Å"You are kind to say so, Lord Eddard.† â€Å"The king himself said as much. He blamed the wine.† The white-haired knight gave a weary nod. â€Å"His Grace was reeling in his saddle by the time we flushed the boar from his lair, yet he commanded us all to stand aside.† â€Å"I wonder, Ser Barristan,† asked Varys, so quietly, â€Å"who gave the king this wine?† Ned had not heard the eunuch approach, but when he looked around, there he stood. He wore a black velvet robe that brushed the floor, and his face was freshly powdered. â€Å"The wine was from the king's own skin,† Ser Barristan said. â€Å"Only one skin? Hunting is such thirsty work.† â€Å"I did not keep count. More than one, for a certainty. His squire would fetch him a fresh skin whenever he required it.† â€Å"Such a dutiful boy,† said Varys, â€Å"to make certain His Grace did not lack for refreshment.† Ned had a bitter taste in his mouth. He recalled the two fair-haired boys Robert had sent chasing after a breastplate stretcher. The king had told everyone the tale that night at the feast, laughing until he shook. â€Å"Which squire?† â€Å"The elder,† said Ser Barristan. â€Å"Lancel.† â€Å"I know the lad well,† said Varys. â€Å"A stalwart boy, Ser Kevan Lannister's son, nephew to Lord Tywin and cousin to the queen. I hope the dear sweet lad does not blame himself. Children are so vulnerable in the innocence of their youth, how well do I remember.† Certainly Varys had once been young. Ned doubted that he had ever been innocent. â€Å"You mention children. Robert had a change of heart concerning Daenerys Targaryen. Whatever arrangements you made, I want unmade. At once.† â€Å"Alas,† said Varys. â€Å"At once may be too late. I fear those birds have flown. But I shall do what I can, my lord. With your leave.† He bowed and vanished down the steps, his soft-soled slippers whispering against the stone as he made his descent. Cayn and Tomard were helping Ned across the bridge when Lord Renly emerged from Maegor's Holdfast. â€Å"Lord Eddard,† he called after Ned, â€Å"a moment, if you would be so kind.† Ned stopped. â€Å"As you wish.† Renly walked to his side. â€Å"Send your men away.† They met in the center of the bridge, the dry moat beneath them. Moonlight silvered the cruel edges of the spikes that lined its bed. Ned gestured. Tomard and Cayn bowed their heads and backed away respectfully. Lord Renly glanced warily at Ser Boros on the far end of the span, at Ser Preston in the doorway behind them. â€Å"That letter.† He leaned close. â€Å"Was it the regency? Has my brother named you Protector?† He did not wait for a reply. â€Å"My lord, I have thirty men in my personal guard, and other friends beside, knights and lords. Give me an hour, and I can put a hundred swords in your hand.† â€Å"And what should I do with a hundred swords, my lord?† â€Å"Strike! Now, while the castle sleeps.† Renly looked back at Ser Boros again and dropped his voice to an urgent whisper. â€Å"We must get Joffrey away from his mother and take him in hand. Protector or no, the man who holds the king holds the kingdom. We should seize Myrcella and Tommen as well. Once we have her children, Cersei will not dare oppose us. The council will confirm you as Lord Protector and make Joffrey your ward.† Ned regarded him coldly. â€Å"Robert is not dead yet. The gods may spare him. If not, I shall convene the council to hear his final words and consider the matter of the succession, but I will not dishonor his last hours on earth by shedding blood in his halls and dragging frightened children from their beds.† Lord Renly took a step back, taut as a bowstring. â€Å"Every moment you delay gives Cersei another moment to prepare. By the time Robert dies, it may be too late . . . for both of us.† â€Å"Then we should pray that Robert does not die.† â€Å"Small chance of that,† said Renly. â€Å"Sometimes the gods are merciful.† â€Å"The Lannisters are not.† Lord Renly turned away and went back across the moat, to the tower where his brother lay dying. By the time Ned returned to his chambers, he felt weary and heartsick, yet there was no question of his going back to sleep, not now. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die, Cersei Lannister had told him in the godswood. He found himself wondering if he had done the right thing by refusing Lord Renly's offer. He had no taste for these intrigues, and there was no honor in threatening children, and yet . . . if Cersei elected to fight rather than flee, he might well have need of Renly's hundred swords, and more besides. â€Å"I want Littlefinger,† he told Cayn. â€Å"If he's not in his chambers, take as many men as you need and search every winesink and whorehouse in King's Landing until you find him. Bring him to me before break of day.† Cayn bowed and took his leave, and Ned turned to Tomard. â€Å"The Wind Witch sails on the evening tide. Have you chosen the escort?† â€Å"Ten men, with Porther in command.† â€Å"Twenty, and you will command,† Ned said. Porther was a brave man, but headstrong. He wanted someone more solid and sensible to keep watch over his daughters. â€Å"As you wish, m'lord,† Tom said. â€Å"Can't say I'll be sad to see the back of this place. I miss the wife.† â€Å"You will pass near Dragonstone when you turn north. I need you to deliver a letter for me.† Tom looked apprehensive. â€Å"To Dragonstone, m'lord?† The island fortress of House Targaryen had a sinister repute. â€Å"Tell Captain Qos to hoist my banner as soon as he comes in sight of the island. They may be wary of unexpected visitors. If he is reluctant, offer him whatever it takes. I will give you a letter to place into the hand of Lord Stannis Baratheon. No one else. Not his steward, nor the captain of his guard, nor his lady wife, but only Lord Stannis himself.† â€Å"As you command, m'lord.† When Tomard had left him, Lord Eddard Stark sat staring at the flame of the candle that burned beside him on the table. For a moment his grief overwhelmed him. He wanted nothing so much as to seek out the godswood, to kneel before the heart tree and pray for the life of Robert Baratheon, who had been more than a brother to him. Men would whisper afterward that Eddard Stark had betrayed his king's friendship and disinherited his sons; he could only hope that the gods would know better, and that Robert would learn the truth of it in the land beyond the grave. Ned took out the king's last letter. A roll of crisp white parchment sealed with golden wax, a few short words and a smear of blood. How small the difference between victory and defeat, between life and death. He drew out a fresh sheet of paper and dipped his quill in the inkpot. To His Grace, Stannis of the House Baratheon, he wrote. By the time you receive this letter, your brother Robert, our King these past fifteen years, will be dead. He was savaged by a boar whilst hunting in the kingswood . . . The letters seemed to writhe and twist on the paper as his hand trailed to a stop. Lord Tywin and Ser Jaime were not men to suffer disgrace meekly; they would fight rather than flee. No doubt Lord Stannis was wary, after the murder of Jon Arryn, but it was imperative that he sail for King's Landing at once with all his power, before the Lannisters could march. Ned chose each word with care. When he was done, he signed the letter Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Hand of the King, and Protector of the Realm, blotted the paper, folded it twice, and melted the sealing wax over the candle flame. His regency would be a short one, he reflected as the wax softened. The new king would choose his own Hand. Ned would be free to go home. The thought of Winterfell brought a wan smile to his face. He wanted to hear Bran's laughter once more, to go hawking with Robb, to watch Rickon at play. He wanted to drift off to a dreamless sleep in his own bed with his arms wrapped tight around his lady, Catelyn. Cayn returned as he was pressing the direwolf seal down into the soft white wax. Desmond was with him, and between them Littlefinger. Ned thanked his guards and sent them away. Lord Petyr was clad in a blue velvet tunic with puffed sleeves, his silvery cape patterned with mockingbirds. â€Å"I suppose congratulations are in order,† he said as he seated himself. Ned scowled. â€Å"The king lies wounded and near to death.† â€Å"I know,† Littlefinger said. â€Å"I also know that Robert has named you Protector of the Realm.† Ned's eyes flicked to the king's letter on the table beside him, its seal unbroken. â€Å"And how is it you know that, my lord?† â€Å"Varys hinted as much,† Littlefinger said, â€Å"and you have just confirmed it.† Ned's mouth twisted in anger. â€Å"Damn Varys and his little birds. Catelyn spoke truly, the man has some black art. I do not trust him.† â€Å"Excellent. You're learning.† Littlefinger leaned forward. â€Å"Yet I'll wager you did not drag me here in the black of night to discuss the eunuch.† â€Å"No,† Ned admitted. â€Å"I know the secret Jon Arryn was murdered to protect. Robert will leave no trueborn son behind him. Joffrey and Tommen are Jaime Lannister's bastards, born of his incestuous union with the queen.† Littlefinger lifted an eyebrow. â€Å"Shocking,† he said in a tone that suggested he was not shocked at all. â€Å"The girl as well? No doubt. So when the king dies . . . â€Å" â€Å"The throne by rights passes to Lord Stannis, the elder of Robert's two brothers.† Lord Petyr stroked his pointed beard as he considered the matter. â€Å"So it would seem. Unless . . . â€Å" â€Å"Unless, my lord? There is no seeming to this. Stannis is the heir. Nothing can change that.† â€Å"Stannis cannot take the throne without your help. If you're wise, you'll make certain Joffrey succeeds.† Ned gave him a stony stare. â€Å"Have you no shred of honor?† â€Å"Oh, a shred, surely,† Littlefinger replied negligently. â€Å"Hear me out. Stannis is no friend of yours, nor of mine. Even his brothers can scarcely stomach him. The man is iron, hard and unyielding. He'll give us a new Hand and a new council, for a certainty. No doubt he'll thank you for handing him the crown, but he won't love you for it. And his ascent will mean war. Stannis cannot rest easy on the throne until Cersei and her bastards are dead. Do you think Lord Tywin will sit idly while his daughter's head is measured for a spike? Casterly Rock will rise, and not alone. Robert found it in him to pardon men who served King Aerys, so long as they did him fealty. Stannis is less forgiving. He will not have forgotten the siege of Storm's End, and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dare not. Every man who fought beneath the dragon banner or rose with Balon Greyjoy will have good cause to fear. Seat Stannis on the Iron Throne and I promise you, the realm will bleed. â€Å"Now look at the other side of the coin. Joffrey is but twelve, and Robert gave you the regency, my lord. You are the Hand of the King and Protector of the Realm. The power is yours, Lord Stark. All you need do is reach out and take it. Make your peace with the Lannisters. Release the Imp. Wed Joffrey to your Sansa. Wed your younger girl to Prince Tommen, and your heir to Myrcella. It will be four years before Joffrey comes of age. By then he will look to you as a second father, and if not, well . . . four years is a good long while, my lord. Long enough to dispose of Lord Stannis. Then, should Joffrey prove troublesome, we can reveal his little secret and put Lord Renly on the throne.† â€Å"We?† Ned repeated. Littlefinger gave a shrug. â€Å"You'll need someone to share your burdens. I assure you, my price would be modest.† â€Å"Your price.† Ned's voice was ice. â€Å"Lord Baelish, what you suggest is treason.† â€Å"Only if we lose.† â€Å"You forget,† Ned told him. â€Å"You forget Jon Arryn. You forget Jory Cassel. And you forget this.† He drew the dagger and laid it on the table between them; a length of dragonbone and Valyrian steel, as sharp as the difference between right and wrong, between true and false, between life and death. â€Å"They sent a man to cut my son's throat, Lord Baelish.† Littlefinger sighed. â€Å"I fear I did forget, my lord. Pray forgive me. For a moment I did not remember that I was talking to a Stark.† His mouth quirked. â€Å"So it will be Stannis, and war?† â€Å"It is not a choice. Stannis is the heir.† â€Å"Far be it from me to dispute the Lord Protector. What would you have of me, then? Not my wisdom, for a certainty.† â€Å"I shall do my best to forget your . . . wisdom,† Ned said with distaste. â€Å"I called you here to ask for the help you promised Catelyn. This is a perilous hour for all of us. Robert has named me Protector, true enough, but in the eyes of the world, Joffrey is still his son and heir. The queen has a dozen knights and a hundred men-at-arms who will do whatever she commands . . . enough to overwhelm what remains of my own household guard. And for all I know, her brother Jaime may be riding for King's Landing even as we speak, with a Lannister host at his back.† â€Å"And you without an army.† Littlefinger toyed with the dagger on the table, turning it slowly with a finger. â€Å"There is small love lost between Lord Renly and the Lannisters. Bronze Yohn Royce, Ser Balon Swann, Ser Loras, Lady Tanda, the Redwyne twins . . . each of them has a retinue of knights and sworn swords here at court.† â€Å"Renly has thirty men in his personal guard, the rest even fewer. It is not enough, even if I could be certain that all of them will choose to give me their allegiance. I must have the gold cloaks. The City Watch is two thousand strong, sworn to defend the castle, the city, and the king's peace.† â€Å"Ah, but when the queen proclaims one king and the Hand another, whose peace do they protect?† Lord Petyr flicked at the dagger with his finger, setting it spinning in place. Round and round it went, wobbling as it turned. When at last it slowed to a stop, the blade pointed at Littlefinger. â€Å"Why, there's your answer,† he said, smiling. â€Å"They follow the man who pays them.† He leaned back and looked Ned full in the face, his grey-green eyes bright with mockery. â€Å"You wear your honor like a suit of armor, Stark. You think it keeps you safe, but all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move. Look at you now. You know why you summoned me here. You know what you want to ask me to do. You know it has to be done . . . but it's not honorable, so the words stick in your throat.† Ned's neck was rigid with tension. For a moment he was so angry that he did not trust himself to speak. Littlefinger laughed. â€Å"I ought to make you say it, but that would be cruel . . . so have no fear, my good lord. For the sake of the love I bear for Catelyn, I will go to Janos Slynt this very hour and make certain that the City Watch is yours. Six thousand gold pieces should do it. A third for the Commander, a third for the officers, a third for the men. We might be able to buy them for half that much, but I prefer not to take chances.† Smiling, he plucked up the dagger and offered it to Ned, hilt first.

Personality Reflection Essay - 694 Words

Personality reflection Melody Jones PSY/250 April 14, 2011 Murray Johnson What is a personality? A personality is a reflection of a person identity of a human being but we don’t share the same type of personality. There are so many different type of personality in the world some people have outgoing, shy, crazy, and settle personality. There are some people where there culture and surrounding shape their personality traits. In my culture and surrounding it has help me shape my personality in many ways. There are several keys factor about my personality that shapes the person I am today. When I was a little girl I use to wonder what type of personality I have the type of personality quality I have are ambition, strength, free†¦show more content†¦Love is has been this driving force in my life in a big way. I strongly believe to give love you have to open your heart and mind. The last key component about my personality is free spirit. I will try to anything once or twice to get a laugh or just for the thrill of it. My personality trait are consistent they barely change in any giving situation. I always try to the laughter in a bad situation or show love to other when they are in a bad situation or good situation. I have a caring personality. I would have to agree with Jung theory I like to motivate other to reach their goals therefore they can see their future. There are times where I wonder if my personality is really who I am as a person or is there something else make-up who we are as human being. Have I ever took a personality test that answer will be no I have not taking one but will like to take one to learn more about what type characteristic shape my personality. I would expect the personality test to show my caring ability, motivation levels and strength ability. Also I would like to test tell me about my social skills as a child I did not have good social skills now as a adult I have better social skills do to self confidence that I lack as a child. My personality has grown since I was a child. A personality test will open many doors to my colorful mind. References This is a hanging indent. To keep the hanging indent format, simplyShow MoreRelatedPersonality Reflection976 Words   |  4 PagesDelawrence Reed Psy/250 Version 6 Professor Wilkerson Personality Reflection Personality cares for the important, strong measures of a human being’s psychological vitality. Traits relates to an individual being merry or depressed, active or care less, brilliant or ignorant. There are many different definitions about personality. Most definitions are on mental system which is a cluster of mental pieces implicating purposes, feelings, and thinking patterns. 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Personality assessments can help us locate and changeRead MorePersonality Profile Reflection Paper1743 Words   |  7 Pagesperformance in the workplace. To provide a personal perspective of personality characteristics, the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) assessment was used to measure aspects of my personality and how these traits relate to working with others and life within an organization. Key observations provide specific insight into how these are applied to workplace behavior and interactions with others. Personal self-reflection related to workplace behavior is offered, including lessons learned

Essay on The Ideal Hero in Shakespeares Hamlet - 1632 Words

Hamlet is not like the other tragic heroes of his period. He stands apart from other Shakespeares heroes because of his innocence. Perhaps this supposed tragic hero is an ideal hero - one without the tragic flaw. The tragic flaw has been a part of the formula for the tragedy since the Golden age of Greece. The main, and, most often, the only flaw that has been attributed to Hamlet is his delay. This seems to constitute the central part in Hamlet. Critics seem to cling to this detail, as if trying to save the status of Hamlet as a typical Elizabethan tragedy of revenge. By the definition of tragedy, there should exist a flaw in the character of the main hero, who is a great personality that is engaged in a struggle that ends†¦show more content†¦Being a loyal prince and son, and one whom entire kingdom respected, he should seek revenge and bring justice back in the royal court. The whole play would be very simple if this murdered was an open assassination. But no, Shakespear e made sure that this assassination was secret, that no one, except maybe Claudius, knew about it. This puts in a completely different context the play that was written by Thomas Kyd, a play titled Ur-Hamlet, which Shakespeare used as a basis for his Hamlet (Grebanier, 111).This way, Shakespeare accomplished very different development of action, and ultimately one of the best plays in the history. Along with that, Shakespeare created disagreement concerning reasons why Hamlet waited so long before killing Claudius. A careful reader can notice that more than two months pass between Hamlet being told by the Ghost about the evil deed, and Hamlet following through his plan. One can argue that from this follows that Hamlet procrastinated, having that one flaw - being passive, not daring to act. But Shakespeare never payed attention to this time interval. An audience wasnt aware of it, because Shakespeare didnt want it to be - the rather large time interval was of no consequence, and truly one cannot notice this without a conscious calculation (Grebanier, 179). More critics, especially during popularity of Freud, have tried to explain Hamlets delay exclusively fromShow MoreRelatedAnti-Idealism In Shakespeares Hamlet1563 Words   |  7 Pageshe calls William Shakespeare â€Å"our great de-idealizing author.† In his book, Edmundson examines the ideals of the ancient world and how they have been lost in the modern world. In one section of the introduction to his novel he analyzes S hakespeare’s works and how they function as a shift between these two worlds. Specifically, he examines Shakespeare’s rejection of the â€Å"religious ideal [and] the ideal of contempt,† as well as his use of skepticism and â€Å"uncertainties, mysteries, and doubts without drivingRead MoreEssay about Greek Tragedy Exemplified in Shakespeares Hamlet1191 Words   |  5 PagesGreek Tragedy Exemplified in Shakespeares Hamlet For several thousands of years, drama has existed among mankind. The ancient Greeks are accredited with the creation of drama, which began as simple religious rituals and eventually evolved into the more complex forms of tragedies and comedies. The first rules of drama, not surprisingly, were also written by a Greek--the famous philosopher and intellectual, Aristotle. Aristotle took note of the what qualities created a successful dramatic pieceRead More Hamlet, why did he delay Essay1626 Words   |  7 Pageswell, Shakespeares ability to provoke feeling and reaction to his writing is also what sets him apart from other common writers. Of his works, Hamlet is perhaps the most studied and most interesting of the collected tragedies. In this play, many question the actions of the characters and particularly the actions of Hamlet. The answer to: Why does Hamlet delay in avenging the death of his father? is one that is not easy to identify. Possible conclusions include the role of others in Hamlet, HamletsRead MoreThe Libation Bearers and Hamlet1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe Libation Bearers and Hamlet Many of Shakespeare’s plays draw from classical Greek themes, plot and metaphors. The tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides and Homer have themes like royal murders, assassinations by near relatives, the supernatural, ghostly visits, and vengeful spirits of the dead- themes which reappear in Shakespeare’s tragedies with a difference. Shakespeare’s tragic hero Hamlet and Aeschylus’s Orestes have a great deal in common. Both the plays are set in a time when theRead MoreThe Libation Bearers and Hamlet1302 Words   |  6 PagesThe Libation Bearers and Hamlet Many of Shakespeare’s plays draw from classical Greek themes, plot and metaphors. The tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides and Homer have themes like royal murders, assassinations by near relatives, the supernatural, ghostly visits, and vengeful spirits of the dead- themes which reappear in Shakespeare’s tragedies with a difference. Shakespeare’s tragic hero Hamlet and Aeschylus’s Orestes have a great deal in common. Both the plays are set in a time whenRead MoreThe Flaws of the Tragic Hero Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay974 Words   |  4 PagesThe Flaws of the Tragic Hero Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet With Hamlet being generally labeled as the best tragic hero ever created, it is ironic that his tragic flaw has never been as solidly confirmed as those of most of his fellow protagonists. There is Macbeth with his ambition, Oedipus with his pride, Othello with his jealousy, and all the others with their particular odd spots. Then there is Hamlet. He has been accused of everything and of nothing, and neither seems to stick. Flaws areRead MoreHamlet : A Flawed Anti-Tragic Hero1715 Words   |  7 Pagesfor determining well written â€Å"poetry†, most notably in comedies and tragedies. Hamlet, like many of Shakespeare’s plays, is considered to be a tragedy although there is room to debate whether or not its protagonist is the quintessential tragic hero or a deeply flawed anti-tragic hero. Evaluating Hamlet using Aristotle’s theories, especially considering the criticism Shakespeare received for seemingly defying these ideals, may be the most compelling way to make an argument for or against the validityRead MoreHamlet and The Desire-Destiny Paradox872 Words   |  3 Pagesquoted line of Hamlet, of Shakespeare’s works, possibly of all Elizabethan literature, presents a philosophical Hamlet who questions â€Å"Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer, The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,† Shakespeare does indeed explore the individual’s enduring need to define one’s role or identity within society, but presents the paradox of whether to embrace one’s fortune OR to ‘carve for himself’ a fate and identity. Hamlet spends muchRead MoreFactors Contributing to Shakespeares Hamlet Being a Great Play1203 Words   |  5 PagesFactors Contributing to Shakespeares Hamlet Being a Great Play William Shakespeares Hamlet, through the heroism and nobility of its hero, his superior power of insight into, and reflection upon, his situation, and his capacity to suffer the moral anguish which moral responsibility brings, is considered one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. Throughout the play, Hamlet, through both soliloquies and actions, displays these characteristicsRead MorePower Of Heroism In Hamlet1401 Words   |  6 PagesIn William Shakespeares Hamlet, the power grasping people hold the positions of power, making them rulers of their people. Claudius, despicable usurper of crown, despite the magnitude of his evil actions deceives the kingdom with his cunning wit and rises to the epitome of power in his society. Rational Horatio despite his fear of ghosts finds the strength to not only challenge the ghost but also protect Barnardo and Marcellus. Even ruthless Old King Hamlet accepts the challenge and ba ttles Norway