EveningHour - Relax, Refresh n Rejoice

EveningHour - Relax, Refresh n Rejoice http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?blogId=943 Books, Book Reviews, Activities at EveningHour, Events in Hyderabad and all other topics for you to Refresh, Relax and Rejoice! eveninghour 2023-08-19T22:43:29Z Love Over Coffee - Metro Reads http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4933&blogId=943 After a busy week at <a href="http://www.eveninghour.com/">EveningHour</a>, we decided to try the new set of books published under 'Metro Reads' by Penguin. Picked up '<a href="http://www.eveninghour.com/books/Love%20over%20Coffee/6057.html">Love Over Coffee</a>' over others for no particular reason.It turned out to be a good casual read with light humor and romance. <img src="http://www.eveninghour.com/upload/6/9780143066088.JPG" alt="Love Over Coffee - EveningHourdotcom" width="234" height="388" align="left" /> But, first of all, I will describe a bit about 'Metro Reads'.The books published under Metro Reads are written by Indian authors, are all around 200 pages, interesting cover pages and a regular reader can complete them within 3 or 4 hours at the maximum. The themes under 'Metro Reads' seem to be Indian based which is typical of the new age Indian authors. If you are looking for some light-weight stories to fill in a lazy Sunday afternoon, you could give these books a try. Now, coming to 'Love Over Coffee', it's theme is Romance @ Work. Accordingly, the hero in the book, Anup, loves his colleague, Rajni. Rajni is the typical Indian girl who wants to hide her love even with her best friend, puts a limit on the number of times he can call her, never goes out to lunch with Anup but feels okay to spend  long hours (so it seems to Anup) with the team-mates. There's the usual jealousy factor, the techie person who loves coding while there are others who hardly code but totally depend on this one person to meet their deadlines. There's the selfish boss who gets work done by every body but takes all the credit. The book has all the ingredients at a typical software office. Verdict: Good casual read. Books 2010-06-28T11:59:05Z eveninghour The Power of Your Subconscious Mind http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4914&blogId=943 <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hp351EtTDxU/TB3XWjuJKnI/AAAAAAAAAVY/YmReFEwapEk/s1600/9781416511564.jpg" alt="EveningHour.com : Power of your subconscious mind" width="108" height="144" align="left" /> If Stephen Covey's 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' concentrates on the principles to be followed to become effective achiever, Dr.Murphy's 'The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" concentrates on the role of YOU and your mind to achieve every dream of yours. We hear about (conscious) mind and the subconscious mind. Does it mean we have two minds ? Not really. We have only one mind that possesses two distinct and characteristic functional parts. The two functions of the mind are essentially different from each other. The many names that are used to distinguish the two are objective and subjective mind, the conscious and the subconscious mind, the waking and the sleeping mind, the surface and the deep self, and such. So, what is it that makes the subconscious mind special ? It works every single minute - even when you are sleeping! Thus, whatever the conscious mind thinks and does while one is awake is picked up by the subconscious mind while the person is sleeping and even while off to do something else. While the conscious mind can use logical reasoning and analytical skills to understand or accept any thing, the subconscious mind cannot do any such. It simply takes off whatever the conscious mind is thinking and does the same thing continuously. That is why it is of utmost importance what we feed the subconscious. If it is good thought, positive aspects, the subconscious mind then takes off to help achieve that objective. But, if we feed it negative thoughts - be it as simple as - "Oh! I cannot afford this luxurious dress!", the subconscious mind makes sure it brings obstacles so that you indeed cannot afford that luxurious dress! It might sound illogical to you as you read this! But surely, that is how the subconscious mind works!  Read the book to know more on how you can use your subconscious mind to achieve riches, prosperity, youthfulness, work real miracles in others lives, find peace of mind and every single wish and dream of yours! Books 2010-06-20T17:04:41Z eveninghour King Vikramaditya's Navaratnas http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4906&blogId=943 Have you heard of Navaratnas, the court of Samudragupta II or Vikramaditya. Here is an effort to list them all. 1. KALIDAS Kalidas is one of the nine Ratnas in the court of king Vikramaditya and the famous one too. He is a great poet of Sanskrit. He has written 3 famous plays and 4 epic poems. Plays are 1) Malavikaagnimitra ( Malavika and Agnimitra ) 2) Veramorvashiya ( The story of Urvashi and Pururavas ) 3) Abhigyanashakuntala ( Shakuntala ) This book is translated into many foreign languages, first into English and then to German apart from many Indian languages. The four epic poems are: 1) Kumarasambhavam : The story of the marriage of Shiva with Parvati. 2) Raghuvamsha 3) Meghaduta The fourth one is not known. 2. DHANVANTARI : He was an early Indian medical practitioner and one of the first surgeons of this world. He is regarded as the source of Ayurveda. He found the antiseptic properties of turmeric and the preservative properties of salt. He is the pioneer of the plastic surgery. He performed the surgeries without anesthesia. 3. AMARA SIMHA : He was a Sanskrit grammarian and poet. His famous works are AMARAKOSHAM meaning immortal treasure to immortal dictionary. Another one is NAMALINGANUSHASANA instructs about nouns and genders. It is a thesaurus of Sanskrit. 4. SHANKU : Expert in geography. 5. KSHAPANAK : Prominent astrologist who has achieved prominence in astrology. 6. GHAT KANPAR : Expert in sculpture and architecture. 7. VETAL BHATT : Expert in black magic and tantric sciences. 8. Varaha Mihir He was Indian astronomer, Mathematician and Astrologer who lived in Ujjain. He made important contributions to Mathematics and also Astrology. His main work is Pancha Siddantika on Mathematical Astronomy. It is a compendium of Greek, Egypt, Roman and Indian astronomy. His next work is Brihat-Samhita. Also famous is his Brihat-Jataka. 9. Vararuchi He was a poet and grammarian. General 2010-06-13T02:10:53Z eveninghour Romeo and Juliet http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4872&blogId=943 CHARACTERS: Capulets, Montagues : Two chief families of Verona at war Romeo : Son to the old lord of Montagues Rosaline : Beloved of Romeo Benvolio : Friend of Romeo Mercutio : Another friend of Romeo Tybalt : A nephew of lord Capulet Juliet : Daughter and heir to lord Capulet Lawrence : Friar to a monastery count Paris : The groom fixed for Juliet by her father The two chief families of Verona , the rich Capulets and Montagues are at quarrel with each other. Their enmity is so severe even if servants of the two families cross each other on the road, they will fight with swords. Old lord Capulet once gave a great supper to which many fair ladies and noble guests are invited except Montagues. Rosaline, beloved of Romeo, but who does not love Romeo also attended. Benvolio, a friend of Romeo persuaded Romeo to attend the party with masks so that they cannot be recognized. The plan is for Romeo to see many ladies more beautiful than Rosaline.so that he will forget her. To this feast of Capulets, Romeo with his friends Benvolio and Mercutio has attended wearing masks. Old Copulet invited them and asked them to dance with ladies. Romeo was struck with the exceeding beauty of a lady who danced there and praised her. Tybalt, the nephew of lord Capulet has recognized Romeo by voice and could have killed but for the Capulet coming in between. That lady is Juliet the daughter of lord Capulet. Romeo has fallen in love and Juliet also loved him for his good manners, looks and such features. While returning from the party, Romeo without informing his friends, leaped the wall of an orchard and entered Juliet's house and hid below the room of Juliet. Juliet not knowing that Romeo is below came out of the house and said openly to herself that she is in love with Romeo and how good it would be had he not been from Montagues. O Romeo, Romeo ! said she, where art thou Romeo, Deny thy father, and refuse thy name, for my sake; or if thou wilt not, be but my sworn love, and I no longer will be a Capulet. Hearing these words Romeo came to know that Juliet also is loving him as he is loving her. He came out of the bush and both Romeo and Juliet found that they love each other very fondly even though they are from two families are almost at war with each other They have decided to get married the next day itself. Romeo has met the friar in the monastery and requested him to get his marriage performed with Juliet. The good friar Lawrence thinking that with this marriage both the families will become friends has agreed. The next day friar performed the marriage of Romeo with Juliet. Juliet returned to her home. When Romeo with his two friends is returning , Tybalt has met them and picked up a quarrel. Against the good counseling of Romeo, his friend Mercutio and Tybalt drew their swords and fought. In the fight Tybalt killed Mercutio and challenged Romeo. Against all his efforts to avoid the fight as he is now married to a Copulet, Romeo was forced to fight and in the fight Tybalt was got killed. The lords of both the families and the Duke himself have come there. The Duke became very angry and banished Romeo from Verona. Romeo felt that it is a death sentence to move out of Verona and not able to see his beloved Juliet. First Juliet felt angry,but later realized that if Tybalt is not slain, he would have killed Romeo. Lawrence has asked Romeo to go and stay in Mantua , for some time and he will inform about their marriage and talk reason to them, and see that Romeo returns back to Verona and live happily with his love Juliet. But the next day lord Copulet has proposed the marriage of Juliet with count Paris a gallant, noble and young gentleman, a worthy suitor to Juliet if she had not seen Romeo. Juliet met Lawrence and told that she will die taking poison rather than marrying Count Paris forgetting Romeo. Lawrence asked her to be patient and have confidence in him and gave a potion asking her to drink before going to the bed. With its effect, she will go cold and become as if dead for next 42 hours. She agreed for it. Lawrence said he will send the message to Romeo and her Romeo will come before she regains her consciousness and take her to Mantua . Going back she met the young count Paris and informed that she will become his bride. Her father lord Copulet also felt very pleased and once again Juliet became her darling daughter. On Wednesday night, Juliet drank off the potion. Next morning when count Paris came to pick her up, he came to know that she is dead. The entire house is in deep sorrow , and marriage arrangement turned out to be her funeral arrangements. She was buried in the vaults of Copulets, nearer to the corpse of Tybalt. Bad news always travels faster than good, news brought the dismal story of his Juliet’s death to Romeo at Mantua, before the messenger sent by Lawrence has arrived appraising him of the mock funerals and his dear lady will be in the tomb for a short while, expecting when her Romeo will come and release her from the dreary mansion. Romeo purchased poison and returned to Verona at midnight and started to break open the monument. At that time count Paris came to the tomb to stew flowers and thought Romeo being a Montague has come to do some mischief. Romeo urged Paris to leave him. But a duel has started and Romeo has slain Paris in the fight. The page of Paris ran to inform to lord of Copulet about the fight. He took the body of Paris into the tomb to bury along with Juliet. Here Romeo took the last leave of his lady and drank the poison he brought from Mantua and lay dead near Juliet. As the time of Juliet to get up has come , the friar Lawrence has come to take her to his home and was astonished to see the corpse of Romeo lying there. Before he could understand what has happened Juliet awoke out of her trance and asked the friar for her Romeo. Meanwhile voices have come indicating that many people are coming and out of fear Lawrence has run away. Seeing Romeo dead with a cup in hand , Juliet realized that he has died of poison and she with her dagger stabbed herself and lay dead by the side of Romeo. Copulets and Montagues have arrived and the prince also came knowing about the commotion. Somebody has caught Lawrence and brought him. Asked by the prince, Lawrence has informed about the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, and the magic potion and all. After seeing the letters in the pocket of Romeo every one believed the facts told by Lawrence. The prince, turning to these old lords , rebuked them for their brutal and irrational enmities, and showed what tragedy occurred because of them. These old rivals agreed to bury their rivalry and be friends. But had they became friends before the young lives of Romeo and Juliet would have been saved. Books 2010-05-29T21:04:35Z eveninghour Merchant of Venice - Happy Story by William Shakespeare http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4848&blogId=943 <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Characters: </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Shylock, the Jew                    :   Money lender and very cruel man in Venice </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Antonio                                  :   Merchant of Venice , a very kind hearted man </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Bassanio                                :   A good friend of Antonio </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Portia                                     :   A rich heiress , lives in Belmont </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Gratiano                                 : </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Nerissa                                  :    waiting maid of Portia </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">  Bellario                                 :    Counsellor </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Lorenzo                                  :   Son in law of Shylock </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> Balthasar                               :     Name of Portia when she acted as a male counsellor in disguise </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                    Shylock,the Jew lived in Venice. He does money lending business and amassed an immense fortune. Shylock exacted his money with such severity that every one disliked him. Antonio is a merchant of Venice, a very kind hearted man, lends money to the people who are in distress and takes no interest. He is very kind, beloved by all the citizens. Hence he is much disliked by Shylock who secretly meditated to take revenge on Antonio. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                    Bassanio, a noble venetian is a good friend of Antonio. Bassanio has nearly spent all the money received from his parents. Antonio, being a friend assisted him with money whenever he needed. One day Bassanio told Antonio, that he loved one lady who has inherited large fortune from her father who has died recently and that he wants to marry her. But has no money to approach her properly, in good dress and to give good presents and he needs 3000 ducats for that. Antonio has no money with him at that time but as he is expecting his ships to arrive in short time. He told Bassanio that he will take loan from Shylock and give him. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                   Both of them approached Shylock and Antonio asked for a loan of 3000 ducats. Shylock thought this is the correct occasion when he can take revenge on Antonio. Shylock is ready to lend the money without interest if Antonio enters into a bond that if he did not repay the money by a certain day, he would forfeit a pound of flesh, to be cut off from any part of his body that Shylock pleased. Though Bassanio objects to this condition, Antonio thinking that his ships will return by that day enters into the bond. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                   Bassanio with this money went to Belmont with lot of followers and attended by a gentleman called Gratiano. Bassanio confessed to Portia that he had no fortune but a noble ancestry and a high birth. Portia says that she got a lot of fortune and wants a good hearted, noble man like Bassanio and agrees to marry him and gives a ring as present. Bassanio vowed never to part with it. Gratiano and Nerissa, the lady in waiting of Portia also wants to marry. Portia has agreed for their marriage. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                   At that moment, a messenger has come with a letter from Antonio, saying that all his ships were lost, his bond to Shylock is forfeited, he has to die as Shylock takes the flesh and wanted Bassanio to be by his side at that time. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                  Bassanio explained to Portia that his friend Antonio at the cost of life has lent him the money and he is now to die as he has not repaid within time. Portia sends Bassanio to Venice by giving lots of money and asks to plead with Shylock to take whatever money he wants and release Antonio. Portia immediately married Bassanio saying that the marriage will give lawful right to him on the properties of Portia.  After Bassanio has left, Portia thinks to go to Venice with her maid. She takes the advise of her friend, Bellario a good counselor and reaches Venice in a male counselor clothes on the day of the trial. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                  The cause was just going to be heard before the duke of Venice and senators in the senate. Portia in disguise  as a male counselor is defending Antonio. She told Shylock that he has got every right as per law of Venice to execute the bond but requested him to show mercy and take instead whatever money he wants . Shylock only answered her by desiring to have the penalty forfeited in the bond. Bassanio offered to take payment as many times as the Jew wanted. Portia said that laws once established must never be altered.  Portia said to Shylock a pound of Antonio's flesh is thine. The law allows it, and the court awards it. You get ready to cut the pound of flesh from his breast. When Shylock is ready with his knife, Portia said , this bond here gives you no drop of blood: the words expressly are a pound of flesh, not a pinch extra nor less. If a drop of blood comes, your lands and goods are by law to be confiscated to the state of Venice. Shylock having defeated in his foul act agreed to take the money. Portia again said Jew, by the laws of Venice your wealth is forfeited to the state, for having conspired against the life of one of its citizens and your life lies at the mercy of duke. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                    The duke proclaimed that he is pardoning his life but half his wealth goes to Antonio and other half comes to the state. Antonio said that he will give up his half share if Shylock promises to give that to his daughter who married Lorenzo against his wish. Shylock agreed. The court is closed. The duke offered the young counselor to have dinner with him, but she politely refused as she wanted to reach Belmont before Bassanio. As per the advise of the duke, Bassanio offered Portia 3000 ducats or more. But she has not accepted but asked him to give the ring that he is wearing. As Bassanio has promised to Portia not to part with the ring at any cost, he asked to take any thing but the ring. But she does not agree. Hence on the word of Antonio, he gives the ring to Portia who is in the disguise of young counselor. Nerissa who also gave her ring to Gratiano asked for it and he gave it to her. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                    After returning to their home, Portia and Nerissa waited for Antonio and Bassanio. When they returned during discussions Nerissa asked Gratiano for the ring and as he said that he gave it to the clerk , Portia asked Bassanio for the ring and he said that he gave it to the young counselor.  Portia, hearing this seemed very angry , and reproached Bassanio for giving away the ring. After reproaching Bassanio for some time she gave the ring to him and Bassanio recognized it and Portia that she is the young counselor and Nerissa her clerk. Meanwhile it has come to be known that the ships of Antonio were not lost but have reached the port safely and he again became very rich. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt">                    Thus the drama of Merchant of Venice ended on a very happy note. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt"> </div> Books 2010-05-23T12:37:25Z eveninghour Macbeth - Another Tragedy by William Shakespeare http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4825&blogId=943 Characters: Duncan the meek                  :    King of Scotland Malcolm                                :    Son of the king Donalbain                             :    Second son of the king Macbeth                                :    Thane or Lord in Scotland and near kinsman of the king Lady Macbeth                       :    Wife of Macbeth Banquo                                 :    Co general of Macbeth and his friend Fleance                                 :    Son of Banquo Macduff                                 :     Thane of Fife                                                   When Duncan the Meek reigned king of Scotland, there lived a great Thane or Lord called Macbeth who was a near kinsman of the king and in great esteem at court for his valor and conduct in the wars.         The two generals Macbeth and Banquo are returning victorious by defeating a rebel army assisted by the troops of Norway. On their way, they were stopped by three witches near a blasted heath. The first of the three creatures saluted Macbeth with the title 'Thane of Glamis'. The general is not startled but when the second witch saluted and called him with the title of Thane of Cawdor, to which honor he had no pretensions. Again the third bid him "All hail! King that shalt be hereafter! ". Though Macbeth is amazed, he did not believe the prophecy as the king's sons lived, thus he cannot succeed to the throne. The witches turning to Banquo have prophesied though he will never become the king but his sons after him will be the kings of Scotland and vanished.         At that moment, two messengers have come from the king and informed that the king has bestowed the title of Thane of Cawdor on Macbeth. As the prophecy of the witches has come true, Macbeth believed the words and asked Banquo how he is feeling with the knowledge that his sons will become the kings of Scotland. Banquo replied that these ministers of darkness will tell us small truths in little things, to betray us into deeds of greatest consequence. But Macbeth believed the words of the witches that he will become the King and from that moment he is bent upon making ideas how to get rid of the present king.            Macbeth had a wicked wife to whom he has informed that the witches had prophesied that he will become the king of Scotland one day. She has told Macbeth that the murder of the king is necessary to achieve this and is pestering him day and night to murder the King. It happened at this time that the king with his two sons Malcolm and Donalbain and accompanied by a numerous thanes and attendants visited the house of Macbeth to honour Macbeth for the triumphant success of his wars. The King felt well pleased with the place and the attentions and respect of his honored hostess, Lady Macbeth. The King being tired with his journey went early to bed and the grooms as per the custom also have slept in the same room with the king.           At middle of the night, the Lady Macbeth woke up and decided to kill the king herself as she doubted that Macbeth being kind hearted and good natured may not do the murder. She went into the room to kill the King. But at that time she has seen the face of her father in the king and so could not kill the king. She has returned to their chamber to confer with her husband. His resolution had begun to stagger. He thought there are strong reasons against the deed. In the first place, he was not only a subject, but a near kinsman to the king; and he had been his host and entertainer for the day and it is his duty to save the king from any murderers but not bear the sword himself and kill the king. And he thought that the king is very nice to him and because of that he stood he stood very high in the court. Hence he decided not to kill the king. But Lady Macbeth has not agreed to that and forced Macbeth to accomplish the murder. Hence Macbeth has killed the king with one stroke and Lady Macbeth has smeared the faces of the two grooms with the blood so that the suspicion will fall on them.          King's son Malcolm has escaped and took refuge in the English court and the second son Donalbain made his escape to Ireland. The king's sons, who should have succeeded him, having vacated the throne, Macbeth as the next heir was crowned king. But the entire suspicion on the murder has fell on Macbeth.                   Even after becoming the King, Macbeth and his wife could not forget the prophecy of the witches, though Macbeth should be the king, yet not his children, but the children of Banquo will be the kings after him. Macbeth has planned to kill Banquo and his son. Though he could kill Banquo , his son Fleance escaped and fled.         Though he became King, Macbeth could not sleep, had no peace with the thought that their children will not become kings. He became a tyrant and all the people began to hate him. Hence Macbeth has tried to meet the three witch sisters again and seek from them the future and so he went to the cave. The three witches have come and the first greeted the King and told him to beware of Thane of Fife, Macduff. The second witch told not to fear for none of woman born (i.e. none who is born to a woman) should have power to hurt him and advised to bold, bloody and resolute. The third witch has comforted him against conspiracies saying that he should never be vanquished, until the wood of Birnam moves to Dunsinane. With this the witches vanished. And from this time, Macbeth became bloody and dreadful.         The first thing Macbeth heard after that is that Thane of Fife, Maccduff , had fled to England to join the army being raised by Malcolm with an intent to displace Macbeth. Macbeth has killed the wife and children of Macduff left at Fife. The queen unable to bear the guilt has died leaving Macbeth alone. As Malcolm's army has approached, Macbeth became bold believing the words of the witches and decided to fight as none of woman born can hurt him and he can be vanquished only when the woods of Birnam comes to Dunsinane and waited for the arrival of Malcolm with his army.          Then, one day a messenger has come and reported that as he is seeing from the top of hill, he has seen that the wood of Birnam is moving. This is because Malcolm has asked his soldiers to hew down every one a bough and bear it before him to conceal their true numbers. Hence it appeared as if the woods are moving. Now Macbeth has become very bold and came out of the castle to meet the enemy. In the war, he came in front of Macduff and told him that he will not be hurt by any woman born. Macduff has told Macbeth that Macduff is never a woman born, never as ordinary manner of men is to be born but was untimely taken from his mother. With this Macbeth understood that his end has come and fought with Macduff and died in the war.         Thus Macbeth, who is a very kind hearted general, loved by the king and the people died being hated by all believing the false words of the witches. Books 2010-05-19T11:20:08Z eveninghour Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark - by William Shakespeare http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4811&blogId=943 <div style="margin: 0pt"> This is a summary of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Category: Tragedy </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">   </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Characters: </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Hamlet                   :  King of Denmark </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Gertrude                 :  Queen of Denmark </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Claudius                 :  Brother of King Hamlet </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Hamlet                   :  Prince and son of king of Denmark </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Horatio                   :  Bosom friend of Prince Hamlet </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Marcellus               :  Guard </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Ophelia                  :  Maid and lover of Prince Hamlet </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Polonius                 :  Ophelia's father and the chief counsellor of King </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> Laertes                   :  Brother of Ophelia </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                       The queen, Gertrude, married Claudius, the brother of Hamlet in less than two months of the death of Hamlet, the King of Denmark. Many, because of the hasty action of the queen to remarry in less than two months, believed that the death of The King is not natural. They doubted that Claudius had murdered his brother Hamlet with a view of remarrying his widow, and ascending the throne of Denmark through the exclusion of young Hamlet, the lawful successor to the throne. The Prince has not come out of the grief caused by the death of his father and believes the rumours that Claudius has murdered The King. All the attempts made by the queen and The King to divert the mind of the young Hamlet have failed. What troubled young Hamlet mostly was the uncertainity about the death of his father. He does not believe the word of Claudius that the King Hamlet has died because of the bite of a serpent. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                       Meanwhile, a rumour has come that an apparition, exactly resembling his father has been seen by the soldiers on the platform in front of the palace. Young Hamlet wanted to see it and goes to that place with his friend Horatio and the guard Marcellus. Exactly at twelve in the night, the ghost of The King has appeared and called the prince to come aside alone. Against the advise of Horatio and Marcellus, Prince Hamlet goes alone with his father's ghost. The ghost informs the prince that he was murdered by Claudius, his brother, in the garden by pouring the juice of poisonous henbane in his ear, while he is taking rest with the wicked view of succeeding his bed and throne. The ghost asked the prince to take revenge for his death and also asked not to take any action against his mother. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                       The prince with a view that his uncle Cladius does not suspect him acts wild and strange in his apparel, speech and behaviour and excellently acted as insane. Both the queen and the King believed that the prince has become insane because of the death of his father and also because of the distance from his lover Ophelia. During that time, few story players have come to the court. Since Hamlet knows them previously, Hamlet has asked them to replay the old story that they played of old Priam, King of Troy, with the grief of Hecuba his queen. They narrated the story so lively of the cruel murder of the old king, along with the destruction of his people and city by fire and followed it by the mad grief of the old queen.It was so lively that every one wept as if the story has just happened. After hearing that to the tale, young Hamlet got an idea to play a story resembling the death of King Hamlet </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                        </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                       The story of the play was of a murder done in Vienna upon a duke. The duke’s name was Gonzago, and his wife's was Baptista. The played showed how one Lucianus, a near relation to the duke, poisoned him in his garden for his estate, and how the murderer in a short time got the love of Gonzago’s wife. At the representation of the play, the King who did not know of the trap, was also present with his wife, young Hamlet’s mother. But when Lucianus, according to the story, came to poison Gonzago sleeping in the garden, the strong resemblance to his own wicked act upon his brother struck upon the conscience of the usurper, that he was unable to sit in the hall and left the theatre abruptly. Now, any doubt has gone from the mind of young Hamlet and he confirmed that his father is murdered by his brother. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                     Upon the advise of the King, the queen sent for young Hamlet to her chamber to know his mind . The king not believing the queen has planted Polonius, the father of Ophelia (lover of young Hamlet ) in the chamber behind curtains to hear the conversation and report to him. During the discussions, Hamlet gets angry and holds the hand of the queen. Polonius cries loudly to save the queen. Quickly, Hamlet draws his sword and killed Poloniuis thinking that he is the king himself behind the curtains. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                     The new king, Claudius, with an idea to get rid of young Hamlet, has sent him to England along with two courtiers and a letter to kill young Hamlet. But Hamlet suspecting treachery secretly opened the letter and erased his name skillfully and wrote the two names of the courtiers. Meanwhile, sea pirates attacked the ship and Hamlet jumped into the ship with his sword to fight them but taken him as prisoner. But, the pirates on knowing that he is the Prince of Denmark released him thinking that he may help in future. </div> <div style="margin: 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt">                     Hamlet has returned to his place. From this point, there are a lots of unexpected twists and turns in the story which are no less to today's suspense novels or movies. Even though a lot of you might have read this story already, but in order not to reveal the end for those who have not read, we end this summary by repeating that this is a very tragic story. Try guessing the depth of tragedy in the story and read (at least the abridged one) if you have never done so to confirm. </div> Books 2010-05-17T16:10:48Z eveninghour Congratulations! http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4788&blogId=943 If you can read this post, it means that the registration process was successful and that you can start blogging. General 2010-05-08T20:11:36Z eveninghour 100 Reasons Why Reading is Important! http://blogs.fullhyderabad.com/showblog.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4789&blogId=943 Reading is important because <ol> <li>Best Way of Relaxation. </li> <li>It makes you smarter.</li> <li>It develops the mind.</li> <li>It helps young kids learn language skills.</li> <li>It is how we discover new things.</li> <li>Reading develops imagination.</li> <li>Reading develops the creative side of people.</li> <li>It helps in developing a good self image.</li> <li>Reading expands vocabulary.</li> <li>It is important to development.</li> <li>Reading helps to know other people's perspective.</li> <li>Enhances social's skills.</li> <li>Enriches oneself in all aspects.</li> <li>Reading results in fruitful usage of time.</li> <li>Reading takes us to a new world where we forget our sorrows and fears.</li> <li>It helps us get rid of anxieties.</li> <li>Reading helps us from boredom and monotony.</li> <li>Reading before going to bed  helps a child feel secure and comfortable during sleep.</li> <li> Youngsters emulate the behaviors of their favorite story heroes.</li> <li>Reading helps shape a person's character.</li> <li>Reading helps shape a person's life.</li> <li>Emotions can be best understood through other people's stories.</li> <li>Reading can provide plenty of fun for children.</li> <li>Reading gives us power and understanding.</li> <li>Reading different varieties of books gives us solutions for our daily-life problems.</li> <li>It creates awareness.</li> <li>It encourages to be a thinker.</li> <li>Reading gives us various topics to be the center of attraction in gatherings.</li> <li>Reading at least 20 minutes a day means you read 4800 minutes in one year! Imagine how many books you would have read in 4800 minutes which is 80 hours. And 20 minutes a day is just 1.38th part of a day!</li> <li>Reading is the companions for life.</li> <li>Reading inspires you to do great things in life</li> <li>A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull  hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight - Charles de Montesquieu.</li> <li>Life transforming ideas have always come to me through books-Oliver Wendall Holmes</li> <li>Reading is not to contradict or confute, or to believe and take for granted, but to weigh and consider. Take the good from reading. --Source from a proverb by Francis Bacon. </li> <li>Reading helps increase attention span.</li> <li>Reading regularly keeps the brain young and healthy.</li> <li>It lets us explore those that we cannot physically see. Example: Space, Far-off cities and continents.</li> <li>Reading allows children to do role play.</li> <li>Reading gets one out of depression.</li> <li>It lets you gain knowledge without having to ask or find someone.</li> <li>It lets you continue to keep motivated and not loose track.</li> <li>Reading gives you an edge over someone who does not read as much.</li> <li>In the least, read a newspaper. It is one continuous form of fiction.</li> <li>Reading good books helps you move toward your dream. Example: Alchemist, The Man Who Sold his Ferrari etc</li> <li>A Novel points out that the world consists entirely of exceptions.</li> <li>Books open your mind.</li> <li>Books strengthen your mind.</li> <li>Reading excites the reader to self-activity.-Thomas Carlyle.</li> <li>Voracious reading makes you an all-rounder.</li> <li>Reading creates and strengthens synapses in the brain.</li> <li>Reading regularly helps you learn to pick the correct information.</li> <li>Reading relieves stress.</li> <li>Routine reading expands our mind tremendously.</li> <li>Reading keeps the mind cool.</li> <li>It helps you be fresh through the day.</li> <li>Regular habit of reading keeps you and your mind occupied even in old age.</li> <li>Reading makes us self-assured.</li> <li>It makes you keep focused for long periods.</li> <li>Improves concentration.</li> <li>It also improves memory.</li> <li>It improves the discipline.</li> <li>Reading is inexpensive entertainment.</li> <li>Discover surprises.</li> <li>Reading lets you learn from the experience and knowledge of the authors.</li> <li>Reading lets you weigh things from a different perspective.</li> <li>One gets to experience the story by reading it.</li> <li>Reading emphasizes hierarchical thinking.</li> <li>Reading to your child encourages conversations.</li> <li>Reading encourages questions.</li> <li>It makes you a good person.</li> <li>When reading, the imagination has no visual limits.</li> <li>Reading non-fiction helps you read and understand the other important things of life - insurance policies, contracts etc.</li> <li>Reading on every day topics helps you learn the advantages and disadvantages of the topics and lets you make an informed decision.</li> <li>Reading to your child solidifies the bond.</li> <li>Reading lets you take an immediate break from the daily grind. Does not need any planning. </li> <li>Reading helps overcome social  anxiety. Books and the topics provide an instant ice-breaker.</li> <li>Reading takes you on a wondrous journey.</li> <li>It opens new possibilities.</li> <li>Reading nourishes your soul.</li> <li>Regular reading keeps you steady even during trouble time.</li> <li>Enjoyable reading is a deeply satisfying pursuit.</li> <li>Reading is exercising the mind. Otherwise the mind gets dumb.</li> <li>It challenges your core beliefs.</li> <li>Reading on varied topics gives you a bigger perspective of the world.</li> <li>Reading improves the grammar and sentence making skills.</li> <li>It helps increase fluency in communication.</li> <li>Reading helps shape your child's character.</li> <li>Reading aloud to your baby is an important form of stimulation.</li> <li>Reading aloud to the babies increases their listening skills.</li> <li>It allows the child to look, touch, feel and ask questions. </li> <li>Reading increases your literacy levels.</li> <li>Improved deduction skills.</li> <li>It also improves writing skills.</li> <li>One can learn from characters in a story and learn to apply in our daily lives.</li> <li>Reading rejuvenates your mind.</li> <li>It helps you to think from a different angle. </li> <li>Reading books exercises your creativity.</li> <li>Reading motivates you.</li> <li>Reading may prevent old age memory loss.</li> <li>Reading is the best hobby one can have with at least 100 advantages. </li> </ol> <ol> So, guys and  gals! </ol> <ol> Read! </ol> <ol> Read More! </ol> <ol> Read Even More! </ol> Source: Personal experience, inputs from various people and uncountable articles from the web. <ol> </ol> General Books Reading Importance of reading 2010-05-08T20:11:25Z eveninghour