Health Law and Regulations Essay Example for Free

Wellbeing Law and Regulations Essay Human services is high on the rundown of the most managed elements. Controlled by the administration, the human services area is additionally directed by various private bodies. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) along with the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) and distinctive clinical claims to fame structure some portion of the private medicinal services administrative substances that team up with the legislature. Medicinal services guideline is centered around three fundamental jobs; cost control, quality control, and access extension and control. These three capacities are partitioned into targets covering every perspective relating to the medicinal services territory. While the administrative program exists to achieve the three previously mentioned targets, the usage of every target influences each other. Model, quality control causes a decrease of access, and builds the expense as a result of an expansion sought after. Regardless of the reliance of these destinations, human services guideline doesn't enjoy rivalry among the administrative bodies. Significant in the administrative business are the individuals who connect each other with a similar objective towards improving the medicinal services. A larger part of the social insurance administrative government organizations in America are contained inside the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The American constitution guides all human services controllers to comply with the set legitimate procedure as their exercises contain the possibility to restrict or break the privileges of social insurance. Human services is an elevated level of organization and broad lawful methodology. Controllers are given a notification to their proposed guideline with discoveries to help it, after which the segment under guideline is permitted to challenge or request the proposition. The lawful procedure is offered in each medicinal services system, regardless of whether if it’s to test another medication, suspend a practitioner’s permit, or a guideline onâ environmental measures. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a medicinal services guideline marked into law on the 23rd of March, 2010. The law’s fundamental center had been to build the reasonableness and nature of American medical coverage. Its arrangements were centered around bringing down the rates forced on the uninsured through the development of both the private and open protection covers. It had additionally intended to diminish the medicinal services costs brought about by the legislature alongside residents. Scarcely seven days after its authorization had another social insurance law become effective with changes to the ACA. On March 30, 2010, the leader of the United States marked into law the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The law had been established by the 111th US congress (Blackman, 2013). The ACA has focal points as weaknesses, and has been at the bleeding edge of political analysis since its sanctioning. Its most grounded rivals have refered to it to be correctional of the very good quality workers to pad the center and lower classes. It has additionally been accounted for to weigh intensely on the nation’s wage bill. More or less, the ACA is intended to cover most of American’s medicinal services protection. Nonetheless, the regulation’s cost factor has demonstrated impractical without monetarily harming the high winning substances. The impact of ACA’s execution has caused a general negative monetary realignment as different substances endeavor to stay above water; working hours have been altogether scaled back by different organizations fully expecting impractical protection consistence. The ACA guideline is viewed as a monetarily devastating component in America’s generally speaking financial composite. The gigantic taxation rate bore by high procuring elements is confirm to stream down to the center and low salary workers which resultantly finds the advantages planned for these gatherings in a considerably increasingly extreme manner. In any case, in spite of the fact that the ACA gives moderate or free social insurance protection to a huge number of American populaces, financing is raised through expenses. With a climb in charges for social insurance financing, gaining populaces are left with less to spend. The American center and low pay bunches are much increasingly influenced by the unfavorable impacts as swelling sets in to recoup the developing deficiency instigated by the regulation’s execution. The ACA had been supported as a reasonableness activity however the repercussive expenses have demonstrated the guideline as an exorbitant issue no matter how you look at it. Protection players report certain statements in the guideline as hindering to the procedure. A model is the guidelines order for protection to stretch out their inclusion even to debilitated uninsured individuals at no additional expense. The resultant impact has been the ascent in protection premium costs which further confounds the insurer’s job in the activity. Almost all the gainful viewpoints inside the guideline are countered with opposing difficulties that sabotage its motivation. While Medicaid is extended by the guideline to cover a gauge 15.9 million residents underneath 138% of the property level, the expense is met by state and government financing which further forces a gigantic proportion of duty heightening. The guideline anyway includes a bigger number of advantages than constraints as to ladies activities. The ACA allows up to 47 million ladies access to medicinal services administrations involving wellbeing and protection care. Moreover, the law disallows ladies paying more than men for social insurance benefits as had been the situation before order (Blackman, 2013). The ACA guideline began 157 new offices, sheets and projects to administer the productive execution of the law close by managing human services spending. In spite of the fact that there are negative cost suggestions related with the gigantic oversight elements provisioned in the guideline, defenders contend these expenses to be vital in controlling the unaccounted social insurance consumption (Blackman, 2013). Work in America is as of now straightening out to consent to the regulation’s 2015 usage stage requiring all businesses to give a protection spread on their representatives. The resultant impact to this change has been crafty; private venture have been utilizing low maintenance representatives full an ideal opportunity to conform to the 2015 command while enormous organizations have been diminishing low maintenance working hours to abstain from paying the workers protection when the stage is executed. The ACA is outlined as a perplexing work factor with numerous employments dreaded to be lost the same number of new ones are made. Outstandingly, the guideline ventures anâ outcome where workers will unreservedly leave their particular employments unafraid for losing retirement benefits partnered to social insurance. In like manner, the guideline plans to diminish representatives working hours while keeping up and making new business openings. Regardless of the work benefits featured inside the ACA, numerous residents stay suspicious of the up and coming 2015 business protection stage. Contradicting political assessments are pitching the approaching changes as a negative part of the ACA institution set to reduce various openings for work. Government and private social insurance guideline stays as a significant segment in the more extensive feeling of the wellbeing business covering each and every perspective involved in human wellbeing. The quality, cost and access control targets are trademark to each wellbeing related industry. As to individual experience, I have on a few events watched clinical licenses renounced for specific experts following a legitimate procedure to debate the quality showed by the professionals in setting. The two referenced over 2010 medicinal services guidelines contain a complex and generally long haul plan planned for bettering the nature of social insurance administrations in America. The current difficulties are to a great extent present moment and ought not be summoned to sabotage long haul benefits. A sound discussion is anyway fundamental to guarantee limited nullifications all through the execution procedure. References Head of Form Blackman, J. (2013). Extraordinary: The sacred test to Obamacare. Base of Form

Audit Client Considerations

With this specific contextual analysis I will talk about a few inquiries and realities in regards to review customer contemplations. 1) A short outline of the case. 2) Identify key practices, mentalities and moral difficulties (assuming any) looked by the reviewers. 3) Assess the philosophical and pragmatic options summed up for the situation questions and assessments of those arrangements. 4) Briefly sum up what I would do confronted with this circumstance, all things considered. The case is that of a CPA firm, Cardinal Coyote, situated in Phoenix, Arizona and revolves around three staff individuals. Yancy Corliss is another collaborate with the firm that is gathered into the overseeing partner’s office, Sharon Rules. Decides shows that Jost Furniture is searching for another evaluating and she has been drawn closer to present an offer. Before focusing on an offer Rules might want Corliss to direct a historical verification to evaluate the expected danger of acquiring Jost as a customer. The agreement could end up being very rewarding for the firm as the organization will require counsel on universal development. Since the offer is because of close decently fast she allows Corliss three days to report back to her. Corliss gathers his group which incorporates Lanny Beaudean who worked for the IRS for a long time before joining the firm. Beaudean wants to increase worldwide involvement in the firm in order to facilitate his fantasy about turning into a CEO. The other two individuals from the group are Vinnie Gabelli and Jacki Oloff both of whom are not Arizona locals. In the wake of examining their individual obligations the group met toward the day's end to talk about their discoveries. In the wake of following an agenda of hazard appraisal they followed all aside from the Verify the conditions of any earlier auditor’s dismissal1. The group felt that Yancy Corliss would be more qualified to get this data. After non reaction from the firm’s lawyer and avoid answer of character clashes from Jost the group received consent to talk with past reviewers. They found that since there had been an altered assessment of the 2006 fiscal summaries, where the examiners brought up issues of going concern. The organization had endured diligent misfortunes and the absence of income was debilitating their capacity to make sure about financing. They additionally discovered that ensuing examiners had been excused likewise for clearly arriving at a similar resolution as the ancestor firm. Upon further examination the group found that a million dollar credit contract had been damaged by disregard to keep a base funds to be paid to the way that the proprietor had pulled back $500,000. 00 out of the organization record to put an up front installment on his home. Whenever the agreement was burned up all available resources began dispossession on the advance. The practices and perspectives of the auditor’s was proficient in practicing due determination and legitimate preparing in the accompanying habits. Oloff attempted to contact the lawyer a few times by telephone, left five messages and when she asked about phone message and email got a no response to the two sorts of innovation. She additionally attempted to set an arrangement however was fought off of this sort of correspondence too. Corliss was put off about talking with the past evaluators by the proprietor refering to that there were character clashes and his anxiety was they would tear down the organization. Corliss advised him that it is required piece of the strategy to acknowledge them as a customer. Gabelli explored the going concern angle, in doing so he discovered that an advance to Phoenix Second Bank had started abandonment procedures and the purposes for this. He likewise found that when the dispossession procedure had been finished the credit had been paid off. At last Beaudean communicated his and the team’s worries about taking on Jost as a customer. These activities are as per GAAS prerequisites on due perseverance and fitting training2. Anyway had the circumstance emerged that is expressed being referred to 2 of the contextual investigation there would be a major issue that would be looked by Rules and Beaudean both. Inquiry 2 pose to imagine a scenario where Corliss had suggested that Jost be taken on as a customer which shocks Beaudean and he asks what different variables did he consider and his reaction is â€Å"I am another accomplice in the firm. I need to acquire new business. This customer is a sure thing. In the event that we make a sensibly serious offer, we will get the record. † â€Å". This presents an issue for Rules and Beaudean. It is inexhaustibly certain that in this situation Corliss is putting his needs over that of the general public (for this situation the firm). This as we have learned spots him at Stage 2 of Kohlberg’s Model and disregards the entirety of the Six Pillars of Character. In the event that Beaudean chooses to follow the moral decision of detailing his team’s discoveries to Rules the trust that was given to Corliss by appointing him the undertaking of doing an intensive examination. Due industriousness and expert consideration are two of the center establishments upon with GAAP is established upon as well as GAAS too. Each bookkeeper whether he/she is a Certified Auditor, CPA or CMA is required by law as well as by Ethical Standards to rehearse in our profession2,34. In the event that the choice were to feel free to present an offer it would abuse the norms by which we practice and are will undoubtedly withstand. Taking everything into account I would have done precisely as the auditor’s did. I would firmly suggest against taking on Jost as a customer because of the going worry as well as on account of the warnings that showed up during a foundation examination. Who comprehends what might additionally show up that was either exploitative or illicit or both. As I would see it no agreement merits spoiling my expert respectability and notoriety. If Corliss somehow managed to suggest taking Jost on as a customer I would raise my interests with Rules and diagram all that we had learned just as emphatically suggest against taking on Jost as a customer.

Irving Independent School District V. Amber Tatro Essay Example

Irving Independent School District V. Golden Tatro Paper Running Head: Irving Independent School District v. Golden Tatro Irving Independent School District v. Golden Tatro Warner University A youngster with incapacities is a significant concentration in today’s instruction. Accomplishing my Bachelors in Special Education, I should know about the need to guarantee proper training for all kids with handicaps. â€Å"The instruction of kids with handicaps is a top national need. Our nation’s custom curriculum law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), sets exclusive requirements for their accomplishment and aides how exceptional assistance and administrations are made accessible in schools to address their individual needs (National Dissemination)†. This is my greatest test. I feel with the correct devices and help with organization; my activity will ensure a splendid future for my understudies with incapacities. I went over a case, Irving Independent School District v. Golden Tatro. The discoveries of this case gave me some understanding on the sculptures and confinements that I as an instructor need to maintain. In any case, it additionally gave me trust that we the instructors reserve the option to make such access significant to disabled youngsters. Golden Tatro was brought into the world with spina bifida. â€Å"As an outcome, she experiences orthopedic and discourse weaknesses and a neurogenic bladder, which keeps her from discharging her bladder deliberately. We will compose a custom article test on Irving Independent School District V. Golden Tatro explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom article test on Irving Independent School District V. Golden Tatro explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Irving Independent School District V. Golden Tatro explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Therefore, she should be siphoned (CIC), a system including the inclusion of a catheter into the urethra to deplete the bladder, has been recommended. The technique is a basic one that might be acted in no time flat by a layman with not exactly an hour’s preparing (Irving)†. On the off chance that CIC isn't played out each three to four hours, it could cause injury of the kidneys. In 1979, Amber Tatro was furnished custom curriculum with individualized training program under the prerequisites of the Education of the Handicapped Act. This furnished Amber with exceptional administrations while going to youth improvement classes. Amber’s individualized instruction program be that as it may, didn't give regulatory solutions for secure CIC. â€Å"In October 1979 respondents acquired the current activity District Court against candidate, the State Board of Education, and others. They looked for a directive requesting solicitor to furnish Amber with CIC and looked for harms and attorney’s charges (Eric)†. The court’s saw CIC as a â€Å"related service† permitting Amber to have a specialized curriculum. The Court of Appeals confirmed and acknowledged the District Court’s end that state law allowed be expected schools to employ prepared work force to help with the requirements of debilitated youngsters. This entitles training for those kids with uncommon clinical needs. â€Å"A administration that empowers an impaired youngster to stay at school during the day is a significant methods for giving the kid the important access to training that Congress imagined (Eric). † â€Å"The Petitioner’s see: First, to be qualified for related administrations, a youngster must be impaired to require specialized curriculum. Without a debilitation that requires custom curriculum, the requirement for what in any case may qualify as a related help doesn't make a commitment under the Act. Second, just those administrations important to help a debilitated kid to profit by a specialized curriculum must be given, in any case how effectively a school medical attendant or layman could outfit them. Third, the guidelines express that school nursing administrations must be given just in the event that they can be performed by a medical attendant of other qualified individual, not on the off chance that they should be performed by a doctor (Eric). The subsequent choice on this case was that indeed, school’s are required to give extraordinary clinical needs to youngsters with handicaps. I don't get this' meaning for training? It gives training and personnel the commitment to offer types of assistance that identify with both the wellbeing and instructive needs of incapacitated understudies (Eric). † It pe rmits them to address unfortunate practices by giving them support for a pursuit when one is proper. It shows to the understudies and guardians what could occur in the event that you abuse the guidelines of the school. It likewise urges the understudies to leave certain annoyances that won't energize their training at home. With respect to me as an expert, this case has given me some enlightment on what the privileges of the understudies are. Irving Independent School District v Amber Tatro has opened up my eyes to the opportunity youngsters with handicaps have. No youngster will be left without a suitable instruction. Works Cited ERIC Education Resources Information Center. ERIC †World’s Largest Digital Library of Education Literature. Web. 19 May 2011.

Federalism and Constitution Essay

Federalism and Constitution Essay Federalism and Constitution Essay I am on the federalists. Federalists accepted that the constitution was impeccable the manner in which it was. Antifederalist differ and favored a more fragile government. â€Å"In confining an administration which is to be managed by men over men, the extraordinary trouble lies in this: you should initially empower the legislature to control the represented; and in the following spot oblige it to control itself.† I think in this statement it stresses why the constitution must be made the manner in which it was. Leading we required a record which could control the individuals yet in addition control the administration. The constitution was fundamentally a composed portrayal of how the administration was going to run. Thusly having everything worked out would be simpler to ensure power was not mishandled. â€Å"All men of sense will concur in the need of an enthusiastic official †¦ The fixings which comprise vitality in the official are solidarity; term; a sufficient arrangement for its help; and capable powers.† I think this was perhaps a slight to the antifederalists since it expresses that â€Å"all men of sense† would concur that the constitution was important. I contemplate it being a solidarity is additionally on the side of the constitution. The constitution needs the ability to be spread between various parts of the legislature. The antifedralists accepted the state ought to have the most power. I concur with these statements. They are generally genius constitution which is actually my position. I do feel that the constitution was important. The articles

Drosophila Melanogaster

Autosomal Inheritance of Wrinkled and dark Mutations in Drosophila melanogaster Abstract Homozygous Wrinkled virgin females and homozygous dark male Drosophila melanogaster, were crossed. Transformations were situated on chromosome two and three individually. The F1 age, all Wrinkled and dark, was ingrained yielding and F2 age. A phenotypic proportion of 9:3:3:1 was conjectured with wrinkled wings and wild sort body: wrinkled wings and dark body: wild sort wings and body wing: wild sort wings and dark body correspondingly. A p-value<0. 01 was gotten from a ? 2=23. 24 hence dismissing the hypothesis.Observed information gave a 5:3:2:1 phenotypic proportion of wrinkled wings: wrinkled wings and dark body: wild sort wings body: dark body separately yielding these qualities. A BLAST search on the dark freak quality arrangement gave an E-estimation of zero when contrasted with Anopheles Gambiae. A BLASTn search on the Wrinkled quality arrangement created an E-estimation of 2 x 10-18 wh en contrasted with Anastrepha ludens. Indexed lists finished up organic pertinence, and homology of these qualities. Results A parental cross of dark male freaks and Wrinkled female freaks yielded a F1 age of all Wrinkled and dark flies.The F1 age was self crossed then F2 age scored and speculated to give a 9:3:3:1 phenotypic proportion. In the test three parental viles with virgin females were made. Two vials contained two male Wrinkled flies and two female dark flies, and one wretched with two male dark flies and two female Wrinkled flies. The F1 age made due in two of the three viles all yielding the wrinkled wings and dark body phenotype. The F1 flies were then self-crossed into three separate viles yielding a F2 age. Just the F2 viles from the first dark male and wrinkled female guardians survived.After the F2 flies brought forth they were meant twelve days. The exploratory information of the F2 age created a 5:3:2:1 proportion of Wrinkled and wild sort wing: Wrinkled and dark: wild sort wing and body: wild sort wing and dark separately appeared in TABLE 1. A Chi-square test was performed to perceive how far the test results were from the speculated desires and whether this distinction was inside sensible deviations. The ? 2 worth was 23. 24 appeared in TABLE 2. Shoot look on the Wrinkled, and dark qualities in Drosophila melanogaster were done to set up homology of these qualities when contrasted then with other species.The Wrinkled change sequence’s top hit was Anastrepha ludens, or all the more usually known as the Mexican organic product fly, with an E=2 x 10-18 (BLAST 2012). The dark transformation sequence’s top hit was Anopheles Gambiae, the African intestinal sickness mosquito, with an E= zero (BLAST 2012). TABLE 1. F2 phenotype results from an intial parental cross of Wrinkled females and dark guys, and an innate F1. | Female Phenotypes| Male Phenotypes| Days | Wr| Wr, bb| wt| bb| Wr| Wr,bb| wt| Bb| Day 1| 21| 9| 7| 6| 25| 11| 7| 6| Day 3| 32| 8| 18| 2| 25| 16| 15| 3| Day 6| 24| 20| 11| 6| 27| 20| 8| 6| Day 9| 27| 11| 12| 6| 21| 13| 10| 8|Day 12| 17| 5| 4| 16| 7| 5| 0| Total| 121| 53| 24| 114| 67| 45| 23| TABLE 2. ?2 data| Phenotypes| (o)| (e)| (o-e)| (o-e)2| (o-e)2/e| Wrinkled| 235| 281. 25| - 46. 25| 2139. 06| 7. 605| Wrinkled and black| 120| 93. 75| 26. 25| 703. 31| 7. 502| Wild-type| 98| 93. 75| 4. 25| 18. 0625| . 1926| black| 47| 31. 25| 15. 75| 248. 06| 7. 937| Totals| 500| 500. 00| 0. 00| 3108. 49| 23. 237| Discussion The Wrinkled and dark changes in Drosophila was conjectured to give a phenotypic proportion of 9:3:3:1 with wrinkled wing: wrinkled wing and dark body: wild sort wing and body: and dark body correspondingly.A ? 2 estimation of 23. 237 was acquired, when the basic worth was equivalent to 7. 815(Abler, etal. 2013). The theory p-esteem was under 0. 01, which was a lot of lower than the 0. 05 necessities in this manner dismissing the theory. The theory could have been dismissed do to human and mechanical blunder, and epistasis. Progressively parental Drosophila could have been utilized to inevitably prompt a bigger example populace to give better outcomes. Cutting-edge and incredible magnifying instruments could likewise have been utilized to help sex-flies. An alternate media additionally may yield a superior endurance: demise ratio.To figure out where the statement of one quality relied upon the nearness of a modifier quality a test cross could have been performed. On the off chance that the complementary cross had been led similar outcomes would have been gotten. Had the changes been sex-connected as opposed to both autosomal a proportional cross would be helpful to decide the impact of each parental sex on the legacy designs. Freak alleles were situated on chromosomes two, and three therefor the sex of the fly would not decide the phenotypic proportion. A BLASTn search was done to build up homology of qualities and decided the capacity of the wild kind Wrinkled and d ark genes.The dark quality encodes a part of an amine pathway that is engaged with melanization and crosslinking (Phillips, etal. 2005). The dark phenotype shows aspartate decarboxylase movement is decreased in grown-ups, and at pupa development. The change is an edge move, and flies with this phenotype don't have the dark/DGAD2 protein. This protein is articulation in glial cells of the primary optic ganglion. Dark freaks are lacking in B-alanine, if the hatchlings are infused with this amine they create with typical pigmentations. B-alanine is conjugated to dopamine to frame NBAD.NBAD is a result of the coal black quality, and has a capacity/transport work, that inactivates two harmful amines. NBADH a result of the tan locus hydrolyses NBAD back to its unique amines, presuming that midnight, dark and tan qualities are all piece of a similar pathway (Phillips, etal. 2005). The dark change demonstrated homology to the DNA arrangement of Anopheles Gambiae with an E-esteem equivalent to Zero recommending natural importance (BLAST 2012). In Drosophila, the wrinkled freak quality is alluded to as covered up. Shrouded represents, head involution blemished (Grether, etal. 1995).Hid is a quality in the area which encodes for a controller of modified cell demise. The freak undeveloped organisms have lower cell demise and have additional cells in the head. This quality encodes for a 410 amino corrosive protein and the mRNA is communicated in districts where cell passing happens. The wrinkled phenotype can be smothered by articulation of hostile to apoptotic p35 protein. The capacity of stowed away to slaughter cells shows up in a similar pathway as the collector work. The two capacities are free of one another. The concealed phenotype results from diminished degrees of PCD (Grether, etal. 1995).The Wrinkled change demonstrated homology to the DNA grouping of Anastrepha ludens with an E-estimation of 2 x 10-18 recommending natural centrality (BLAST 2012). In outline a 9 :3:3:1 proportion of Wrinkled: Wrinkled and dark: wild sort: dark was not gotten, anyway extraordinary preparatory techniques may have been taken, for example, utilizing more exceptional magnifying lens which could modify the ? 2 worth and not dismiss the theory. The DNA successions of the two changes are pertinent in homology with different living beings, and the qualities share indistinguishable substance pathways from different transformations. Writing CitedAbler M. , L. Baines, F. Ellis, A. Galbraith, and R. Werren 2013. Hereditary qualities Laboratory Manual. College of Wisconsin La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA. 22 BLAST 2012. Gotten to February 2013. Grether M. E. , J. M. Abrams, J. Agapite, K. White, and H. Steller 1995. The head involution damaged quality of Drosophila melanogaster works in customized cell demise Genes and Development 9:1694-1708 Phillips A. M. , R. Savvy, R. Strauss, B. Brembs, and L. E. Kelly 2005. The Drosophila dark riddle: The atomic and social portrayal of the black1 freak allele :131-142

How to Prepare (and Recover) From Summer Storms for Less!

How to Prepare (and Recover) From Summer Storms for Less! How to Prepare (and Recover) From Summer Storms for Less! How to Prepare (and Recover) From Summer Storms for Less!Its basic science: Summer is the best.Between the longer days, the warmer weather, the sunshine and the liberal usage of tiny drink umbrellas, there just isnt a better season. But with all that warm air and spring moisture still hanging around, its also a recipe for summer storms.If youre earning a low-income, then you probably want to use your paychecks on something other than home and car repair this summer. So lets help you out with some expert advice on how to prepare for (and recover from) a summer storm.We talked to our favorite home, utility and financial experts to get some inside information on storm preparedness. So if you get some storm damage this season, dont turn to a payday or dangerous bad credit loan, just follow these tips instead!Before the Storm:The weatherman says a storm, tornado or hurricane is hitting your area  in the next 24â€"72 hours? What do you do?Our friend Matt Stock, President of US Waterproofin g, says:Even if your homes has no history of issues, heavy rains take a toll. Some frequently overseen preventative measures homeowners can quickly implement to avoid issues include:Check for clogged or blocked gutters.Check for oversaturated soil around the foundation of your home.Clean your window wells to make sure the drain doesn’t clog.Make sure window wells are properly sealed shut.Extend downspouts at least six to 10 feet away from your foundation.Everything has an expirationâ€"including sump pumps. Check them yearly.Most sump pumps only last fiveâ€"ten years.Follow your nose: Mold and mildew odors may be the result of a foundation leak. Wet conditions + Basement leak = mold. It doesn’t take much: a little moisture, air, and darkness. That’s all it takes for mold to take root and spread like a wildfire. If this happens, seek a free estimate.The plumbing and drain cleaning specialist at  Mr. Rooter Plumbing  offer these preventative measures:Locate your emergency water s hut-off valve and remove any shrubbery or obstructions. This valve may be located in the basement, crawl space or adjacent to the water heater. Test the water shut-off valve to be  sure that it is operational. If the shut-off valve is not operational, have it repaired or replaced.Turn off the emergency water shut-off valve if you are leaving your residence prior to a storm. This will help minimize damage to your  homes interior should a pipe burst inside your home. If you turn off the emergency shut-off valve, follow the manufacturers recommendations on turning off the electric for your tank-type. This is done through your main electric panel.If you have a natural gas or LP/Propane Gas  tank-type water heater, follow the manufacturers recommendations on turning off the  emergency gas shut-off valve to disable the gas supply. Some water heaters may be damaged if the water supply is turned off for an extended period of time.Locate your sewer clean-out lid and remove any shrubbery or o bstruction in case the clean-out needs to be located.Home and business window repair specialists Glass Doctor  recommend the following:High-impact glass is the most effective way to protect your windows and doors without affecting your homes curb appeal; however, a less expensive option is to cover your existing windows with a clear plastic hurricane film. This helps prevent glass from shattering when impacted by flying debris. Another option is installing storm windows and doors. This type of glass protection involves installing a second window or door over the existing one. This is a good option if you cant afford to replace your windows with high-impact glass, but you want more protection than hurricane film can offer.If you dont have high-impact glass, hurricane film or storm shutters, you can call an emergency board-up company to cover the outside of your windows and glass doors with plywood when a storm is approaching. Then if debris goes flying, the glass is safe. While it’ s certainly not an aesthetically pleasing method of protecting your windows, it’s cheaper than replacing broken glass.If you prefer to board up the windows yourself, you can follow these step-by-step directions  (also called out below).Take window measurements:  Using a tape measure, measure out the height and width of your window. For height, measure the window from top to bottom and subtract ¼ inch from this number. For width, measure the distance from one side of the window to the next, and again subtract ¼ inch from it. Make sure to label your measurements (eg. master bedroom) so that you will know exactly to which windows your measurements apply.Cover with Plywood:  Purchase 1/2-inch thick plywood for each window. This is where your measurements come in handy. Use the measurements to approximate the dimensions of the plywood youll need. Always make sure the plywood you purchase complies with any state inspection standards. Once you have the plywood in hand, youre ready to s tart boarding up your windows on the exterior side of your house. Place the plywood over your window; it should cover your window adequately.Secure with Steel Clips:  Secure the plywood into place by using carbon steel clips, which fastens the plywood inside your window casing. Carbon steel clips are available at any hardware store and take less time than drilling holes and securing the plywood with nails and screws. Clips give you a snug, solid fit and allow you to take down the plywood for storage and reuse later. The most popular brand of steel clips is Plylox. Simply cover the window with plywood, and then clip the plywood into the window casing. For windows that are 2424 inches or smaller, only two steel clips are necessary.But what about the risk of electrical surges, fires, and outages?  Mr. Appliance  has you covered:Install  a surge protector in your electrical panel that can protect your home’s appliances. This is a device intended to help protect electrical devices from voltage spikes caused by surges. These come in two main types:A box that plugs directly into a wall receptacleA strip with a power cord and multiple plug-in outlets. Using one of these devices is the most efficient option, and is more practical than trying to manually unplug all of your appliances ahead of the storm. Unplugging your appliances 24 to 72 hour in advance is not practical for all appliances, as the food in your refrigerator will likely spoil, and your frozen foods will thaw. In addition, dishwashers and ovens are often directly wired to the electrical supply, so a consumer may not be able to ‘unplug’ those devices.The folks at Rainbow International  offer these final storm preparedness tipsCheck doors, windows, and walls, such as areas where cables and pipes enter, for openings that could allow water to penetrate.Trim back any branches touching your home. If they rub your roof, they could pull parts of it off in a storm. Keep trees well pruned to allow wind to pass through with minimal damage and debris. Consider re-grading around trees to strengthen the ground and give roots something to cling to.Clear clutter and get rid of items you are no longer using, which can turn into projectiles. Bring lightweight outdoor items such as patio furniture, plants, toys, and trash cans inside.So thats protecting your home. But what if you have a small business? Maxime Rieman of CoverWallet, a small business insurance provider, has your, well, wallet covered.For small business owners, one of the simplest ways to get ahead of the potential costs associated with a storm is through appropriate insurance. There are a few key coverages to consider. Commercial property and business interruption policies provide coverage for the costs of damages associated with a storm, and will help you to cover costs such as lost income and relocation should you be impacted. A business owners policy actually combines these coverages, plus general liability protection, into a si ngle package. However, you need to understand that insurance comes with certain exclusions, and will often not cover earthquakes, floods or loss of electricity. If these are potential causes of loss for your business, generally dependent on if theyre common risks for your location, youll want to ask about a rider or additional coverage.Bill Begal of Begal Enterprises also has some interesting, business-specific, storm preparedness advice:What suppliers are used regularly? How they will or will they not be able to service your needs to keep you in business.  Take the time now to set up alternative contacts and sources to keep your pipeline full.Where are the digital media, licenses and backups kept?  If kept on site in a fire proof safe, they may not be safe.   The fire proof safe will be rated to keep items inside safe from fire, even up to an hour, but not necessarily protect those items from heat. You need a media cooler. Think of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, paper self-combu sts once it reaches 451 degrees. If your vital documents, software licenses, CDs or thumb drives with important information are in a media cooler, in a fire proof safe, then you will be taking proper measure to truly protect yourself.Use off-site alternative office space. Some of my clients have back up and emergency space 40ndash60 miles from their current offices. It is an additional cost, but some feel it is worth while “just in case.”  At the “flip of a switch” email, phone and other communications can be re-routed to go through the emergency space if needed.If you have a home business, consider:Special insurance to cover your business and business personal propertyâ€"it most likely is not covered by your homeowners insurance, and if it is, it will be a minimal amount, at most.Check and read your insurance policyâ€"what IS and IS NOT covered?Keep good records and separate records. Prevent any reason for an insurer to deny a claim.Keep electronics off the floor. They nee d to breathe. Also keep them away from animals and water.Don’t overload circuitry as you grow. If youre almost big enough to get a bigger space, but not quite ready to take the leapâ€"don’t overload the circuits, or over use extension cords or outlet splitters.Many offices are in basementsâ€"check the drain or stairs often especially as seasons pass and storms are predicted.During the Storm:Okay, its here, and its really bad. Now youre not just thinking about your home, youre also thinking about your safety.Rainbow International  also recommends preparing for really dangerous weather byBuild an emergency kit:  You need food, water, and  basic disaster supplies, which include water, non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, and a first-aid kit,  to last 72 hours. Assemble your emergency kit well before severe weather strikes. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice, so keep your emergency kit in an easy-to-access place.Create a family c ommunication plan:  Your family may be scattered around town at school, work and daycare when a storm hits. That’s why you should  create a family communication plan  now. Establish  how you’ll get in touch, reunite and handle different situations. Make sure every family member has their parents’ and siblings’ cell phone numbers memorized.Peter Duncanson of ServiceMaster Restore  says:Consider building a FEMA safe room that provides near-absolute protection from hurricanes, or find out if anyone in your community has built one.Stay informed. Listening for timely information can make all the difference when preparing for a hurricane. Be on the lookout for National Weather Service (NWS) broadcast alerts for watches and warnings in your area, and sign up for your community’s text or email alert systems for emergency notifications.Rehearse taking shelter and practice how you will communicate with family members. It can also be in your best interest to take first aid training a nd emergency response classes so you can help in emergency situations.After the Storm:So you prepped as best you could, but once that storm passes, there is  still damage. And you have, like, no money for repairs. Now what?Glass Doctor  recommends the following:If your windows are damaged in severe weather, board up services cover the gaping hole so your home is protected from further storm damage, as well as burglary and vandalism. Whether used as a preventative or recovery method, board up services help prevent property damage, reduce the risk of liability and improve your chances of insurance coverage.Luckily, the folks at Rainbow International  recommendAfter a storm has hit, it’s important to start the rebuilding and recovery process quickly, especially if flooding has occurred. Seeping water is progressive, pervasive and can mean valuable objects may become permanently damaged if there’s no action in the first 48 hours.Stay tuned to your TV or radio during recovery for inf ormation on assistance available in your area through government.Contact your insurance agent to discuss any claims you need to make. Be prepared that typical homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage.Hire only professional contractors for cleanup and repair needs. Avoid any “drive-by” contractors that may try to scam you. It best to hire a reputable restoration company like Rainbow International.And finally, Peter Duncanson of ServiceMaster Restore  offers this good sense:Download the American Red Cross Emergency app for more information and tips on what to do after a hurricane so you can be as prepared as possible. To download, text “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999, search “American Red Cross” in the app store, or go to redcross.org/apps.Continue listening to the local radio station and checking local news apps and outlets for the latest updates and instructions for your area.Reach out. Find a way to contact your friends and family to tell them where you are an d what you need.Once authorities declare that it’s safe to go home, you may return. Do not try to return home before authorities say it is safe to do so.Safety first. Avoid driving or even walking in flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and rapidly-moving waters can sweep your vehicle away. Furthermore, flood water might be electrically charged by downed power lines. If you see any fallen power lines, call your utility company immediately. Do not assume someone else has already contacted them.Check the power. When you return home, turn off the power to your house if you are able to reach the breaker box safely, or ask your power company to cut power remotely. Standing water inside your home can create an electrical shock hazard.Check the structure. If your home’s structure or foundation appears unstable, do not attempt to go inside. Instead, immediately call for professional help and get a thorough assessment of the damage. Water damage after a hurrica ne can cause walls, ceilings and floors to swell, decay or collapse.Take inventory. Photograph and document all damages to your home and belongings to support any future insurance claims. After documenting the extent of the damage, you can begin cleanup and extract, dry and attempt to restore as many items as you can safely reach.Contact your insurance agent. As soon as possible after a storm, contact your insurance company or representative to check your coverage and start the process of filing a claim.Partner with professionals. Professional restoration companies like ServiceMaster Restore ® offer 24-hour emergency assistance to minimize the immediate and extended impact that a hurricane can have on your home. Our water damage restoration experts come equipped with the best practices and tools to extract water, dry your home and belongings, restore damaged items and prevent the development of mold so you can get back to normal as soon as possible after a hurricane.Have your own ti ps for dealing with storm damage for less? Let us know! You can find us on Twitter at  @OppLoans.Visit OppLoans on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedINContributorsBill Begal  (@Begalenterprise) is the founder President of Begal Enterprises, Inc. a Disaster Restoration Company based in Rockville, MD serving clients nationwide. He led major projects and teams of up to 150 people after Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne, Katrina, Wilma Ike.   Industries served include Hospitality, Industrial, Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare Class “A” Office and Real Estate. In 2007, Begal Enterprises was awarded The Restoration Industry Association’s “Phoenix Award.” Bill often authors, contributes and speaks to a variety of related periodicals, media outlets and trade groups on disaster preparedness, clean up, insurance, mold MRSA and has been relied upon over 100 times.Peter Duncanson is the Director of Systems Development for ServiceMaster Restore and Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Peter holds many certifications and his expert knowledge on all things home-related helps readers take simple, yet highly effective steps to safeguard their home and their family.Glenn Gallas  (@therightroad)  is the  Vice President of operations for  Mr.Rooter Plumbing. Glenn began his career at Mr. Rooter Plumbing beginning in Feb. 2000, as a franchisee in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Because of his success and achievements, he was offered the opportunity to become a Franchise Consultant before being promoted to Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Vice-President of Operations.Larry Patterson  (@GlassDoctor1) is the owner of  Glass Doctor  in Dallas, Texas. Glass Doctor is a global franchise company providing home and auto glass repair, maintenance and installation. Larry has been a franchisee/business owner of Glass Doctor since 2003, served on the company’s leadership council and was named Franchisee of the Year in 2011.Maxime Rieman  (@CoverWallet)  spend her time educating and assisting shoppers about financial products has been Maxime Riemans focus, which led her to joining CoverWallet, a startup dedicated to simplifying insurance for small businesses. Previously, she launched the personal insurance team at NerdWallet, and helped create an innovative brokerage comparison product.Doug Rogers  is the president of Mr. Appliance  has been on the frontline of efforts at Dwyer Group ® to maximize the efficiency of its franchisees. He also focuses on continuously improving internal and external customer satisfaction. Doug joined Mr. Appliance in March 2004 as the vice president of operations and was named president of Mr. Appliance in June 2006 and president of ZorWare, also known as Z-Ware, in February 2007. Doug was twice awarded Outstanding Contributor at Whirlpool Corporation and was also awarded the Presidents Choice Award at Dwyer Group in 2007.Matt Stock  (@U SWaterpoofing) is a  third-generation family member in the basement waterproofing business, Matt began assisting his family in all things basements when he was 12 years old. He officially began working for U.S. Waterproofing as a teenager, learning the ropes and proving himself before officially taking the company reigns in 2014.Mark Welstead  (@RainbowIntl)  is the president of  Rainbow International  and is responsible for the overall leadership, initiative and growth of the thirty-year-old company, including sales and operational support. His previous roles include Chief Financial Officer, Board of Directors, and Vice President of Finance for several manufacturing, construction and service companies in the southwest. In addition to Mark’s corporate experience, he has also worked for a number of businesses on a management consultant basis. These include commercial roofing, commercial and residential HVAC, franchise pest control, warehousing, distribution and third party logisti cs, as well as small manufacturing startups. Mark earned his BBA in Accounting from Baylor University.

Discuss the function of cross-dressing in Renaissance drama. - Literature Essay Samples

Cross-dressing on the early modern stage was a highly exploited theatrical device. It subverted the traditional conceptions of gender, evoking a recurring sense of dramatic irony. Jean E. Howard explains that â€Å"behavioural differences† and â€Å"distinctions of dress† were considered very significant in the Renaissance period because anatomical theories of the sexes held men and women to be practically identical. In England, cross-dressing, male casts of players attracted severe criticism from Puritans, who deemed their plays â€Å"public enemies to virtue and religion.† But the homoerotic effects of transvestism have overshadowed the supplementary functions it can serve in Renaissance drama, namely emitting a prevailing sense of meta-theatricality, distorting gender boundaries and empowering the heroine. Early modern attitudes towards cross-dressing on stage were rather self-contradictory. Janette Dillon highlights why Puritans were especially repelled b y transvestism. She quotes Stephen Gosson, a former playwright and poet, who fiercely remarked that to dress as the opposite sex was to â€Å"forge and adulterate, contrary to the express rule of the word of God.† So when Celia censures Rosalind in As You Like It for assuming male dress, she is articulating a prevalent Renaissance view. As Celia harshly states; â€Å"You have simply misusd our sex in your love-prate. We must have your doublet and hose pluckd over your head.† The harsh sound of â€Å"pluck’d† accentuates the fierceness of her reproach, establishing a shift in the power balance between the two women. Contemporary audiences may find this unduly condemning of Rosalind’s behaviour, considering she almost single-handedly restores order to the social hierarchy. But to the authorities, contravening ‘God’s will’ would have been seen as extremely sinful. Ironically, however, Celia was traditionally a man dressed as a wo man, hence she too would have been guilty of ‘misusing’ her sex. Nevertheless, cross-dressing may have been an accepted practice amongst the lower orders at the theatre. Historian David Cressy cites Linda Woodbridge as having found evidence of a â€Å"full-blown ‘female transvestite movement’ in early modern England.† Women would primarily dress as men for practical reasons; â€Å"to plead at law, regain a fortune, or practice a profession barred to women.† In As You Like It and Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s cross-dressing heroines are similarly pragmatic. Rosalind effectively facilitates the marriage of four couples through her role as Ganymede, whilst disguised Viola undertakes a man’s profession as Orsino’s servant. But, in a sense, their independence is curtailed because both women conclude the play by entering into marriage, re-assuming submissive female personas. By contrast, Portia and Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice successfully defend their own husbands in court, disguised as a doctor and a clerk. Their spouses, Bassanio and Graziano, are shocked that two women could achieve such a feat. Graziano himself asks; â€Å"What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?† Neither woman, of course, actually commits adultery. But these words allude to the idea that, through trickery, Portia and Nerissa have made a mockery of their husbands’ masculinity. For Elizabethan audiences, this probably constituted the main comedy of the play. Moreover, Stephen Orgel insightfully remarks that females constituted a considerable share of the audience, so a play’s success was â€Å"significantly dependant on the receptiveness of women.† Thus perhaps playwrights utilised female cross-dressing in a direct attempt to appeal to ambitious early modern women. Paradoxically, many Elizabethan critics and players would not tolerate the introduction of actresses onto the stage as a s olution to the issue of cross-dressing. Dillon quotes playwright Thomas Nashe, who argued that an exclusively male cast produced â€Å"representations honourable and full of gallant resolution, not consisting†¦a whore.† Nashe is referring to the fact that many actresses were drawn into prostitution; the theatre was a notoriously licentious arena. But he somewhat unfairly categorises all actresses in this bracket, suggesting he held a deeper prejudice towards female actors. This, Dillon implies, was because â€Å"the idea of [women] belonging to professional companies was virtually unthinkable in England.† At best, an actress could hold a mere amateur status, which would perhaps become enhanced if she married a man of respectable class. Snobbery towards actresses was commonplace in Renaissance England; one had to travel abroad to observe more equal treatment. Shakespeare’s contemporary, Thomas Coryat, wrote of his surprise at witnessing female actors in Ve nice; â€Å"They performed it with as good a grace, as ever I saw any masculine Actor.† On the whole, however, it was not considered appropriate for a woman to ‘lower’ herself by acting.Much emphasis, therefore, has been placed on Renaissance cross-dressing as a vehicle for homoeroticism. Valerie Traub is a strong advocate of this view. She argues that the practice of boy actors playing female roles â€Å"made possible complex desires and fantasies, and mediated cultural anxieties.† She suggests that it was only through theatre that â€Å"homoeroticism could be safely explored.† This assessment certainly seems partly true of Shakespeare’s As You Like It; Rosalind’s male persona acts as a medium through which both gay and lesbian desire can develop. Critics Stephen Orgel and James Saslow are in overwhelming agreement that Shakespeare (as an educated man) purposefully chose the name ‘Ganymede’ for Rosalind as a classical homoerotic allusion to Greek God Zeus’ lover. Hence whilst Rosalind’s flirting may appear innocent, encouraging Orlando to â€Å"woo† her, there is a clear homosexual undercurrent to their meetings. Furthermore, Rosalind herself was traditionally played by a male actor. Shakespeare thus revels in reminding us of her true identity, as Ganymede ironically says; â€Å"I should have been a woman by right.† The dramatic irony cleverly operates on two levels here; firstly because the disguise of Ganymede is concealing Rosalind, but also because the actor playing Rosalind is actually a man. Shakespeare even alludes to the possibility of a lesbian relationship between Rosalind and Phoebe. The young shepherdess, Phoebe, reflects on the uncharacteristically â€Å"pretty redness in [Ganymede’s] lip.† She concludes ambiguously; â€Å"I love him not, nor hate him not,† presumably because she cannot reconcile his attractive female qualities w ith his male identity. Correspondingly, the homoerotic undertones in Twelfth Night are undeniable. Orsino’s hasty proposal to the recently unveiled Viola suggests that he previously harboured desires for her as Cesario. Orsino grandly states that â€Å"You shall from this time be /Your master’s mistress† , implying that Viola’s public transformation has legitimised his secret homosexual love for his servant. Orsino’s earlier claim that â€Å"no woman’s sides/ Can bide the beating of so strong a passion/ As love doth give my heart† starts to take on a new, homoerotic meaning. Ironically, Orsino previously took Cesario aside and candidly declared, â€Å"If ever thou shalt love, / In the sweet pangs of it remember me.† Concurrently, even if one considers Viola as definitively female, Orsino’s proposal is still rather sinister. It appears symptomatic of his attempts to maintain a strict patriarchal society in Illyria. One assumes that Viola accepts his proposal, but her silence feels practically deafening. Furthermore, Viola attracts considerable female attention from Olivia when she is disguised. After their first meeting, Olivia dwells on Cesario’s supposedly masculine features; â€Å"Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit/ Do give thee five-fold blazon.† In a highly illuminating aside, Olivia perceives genuine love in Cesario’s eyes, asserting, â€Å"A murd’rous guilt shows not itself more soon/ Than love that would seem hid.† Even then, in the literal sense, Viola is still a man playing a woman, as is Olivia who marries Viola’s twin, Sebastian. The ostensible reinstatement of patriarchal values through marriage might therefore be interpreted as an affirmation of homosexual love. But the main difficulty with accepting Traub’s view is that many Renaissance plays contain examples of homosexual love, even if that affection cannot be consummated. Cross-dressing is not always necessary for homosexual desire to flourish. In Twelfth Night, Antonio’s implicit love for Sebastian becomes increasingly complicated when he mistakenly believes Cesario (actually Viola, Sebastian’s twin) to be the object of his affection. When one considers that Cesario would traditionally have been a man playing a woman, impersonating a man, then the gender boundaries become insurmountably blurred. Antonio concludes his part somewhat puzzled, asking- â€Å"Which is Sebastian?† But crucially, in this play, the homosexual undercurrent to Antonio and Sebastian’s relationship can be inferred from their earlier dialogue, without the aids of female dress. Sebastian addresses Antonio like an agitated lover; â€Å"Antonio! O, my dear Antonio,/ How the hours racked and tortured me/ Since I have lost thee!† This torture motif is recurrent in traditional Petrachan-style love poetry, hinting at a deeper passion wi thin Sebastian’s heart. Similarly, in Romeo and Juliet, there is an obvious homosexual tension between Romeo and his friend, Mercutio. The two friends’ constant sexual wordplay becomes akin to a duelling contest, with each trying to exceed the other. In one exchange, Romeo concludes with the explicit comment; â€Å"Why, then is my pump well flowered,† meaning his penis is sexually active. These overtly homoerotic moments undermine the notion that Shakespeare’s play is a tragic tale of young, heterosexual love. Traub’s argument is therefore better applied to woman’s love for woman in Renaissance drama. Lesbianism was barely even recognised as a form of sexuality; thus perhaps cross-dressing males could express the possibility of lesbian love better than two actresses. Most notably, Rosalind and Celia in As You Like It are described as symbolic of â€Å"Juno’s swans,† insinuating a closer intimacy than mere cousins. Charles th e Boxer reinforces this romantic image, remarking; â€Å"never two ladies loved as they do.† It is worth noting, moreover, that renaissance attitudes towards homosexuality were strikingly inconsistent. Fascinatingly, lesbianism was not openly unlawful. But whilst the terms ‘heterosexual’ and ‘homosexual’ would not have been used as they are today, the act of sodomy was explicitly condemned. Charles R. Forker goes so far as to say that male homosexual acts were â€Å"equivalent to satanism according to scriptural exegenetes.† Yet Forker proposes an interesting argument against the conflicting laws of the age, asserting that, â€Å"it was normal for two men- apprentices, travellers, students†¦to occupy the same bed† thus â€Å"[society] might be said to have promoted the abomination it so strenuously condemned.† Renaissance playwrights were also striving to invoke a sense of meta-theatricality in their productions, through t he art of cross-dressing. This re-asserted the spectacle of performance over reality. Early modern plays were often very self-referential, articulating theatrical conceptions within the plays themselves. Jacques’ â€Å"All the world’s a stage† speech in AYLI is probably the most famous example of this trope. In Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy this concept is explored very literally in Hieronimo’s play. By placing the characters on a stage within the production itself, Kyd highlights Bel-Imperia’s superficially feminine dress. The incestuous and homoerotic tensions between siblings Bel-Imperia (typically played by a man) and Lorenzo become explicit through their personas ‘Perseda’ and ‘Erasto.’ As Erasto, Lorenzo articulates his implied sexual longing for Bel-Imperia, proclaiming, â€Å"Sith his Perseda lives, his life survives.† It seems an unlikely coincidence that Hieronimo, and by implication Kyd, cast them as hapless lovers. Lorenzo is peculiarly controlling of Bel-Imperia throughout the play, arranging her marriage to Balthazar under the pretence of saving her â€Å"honour.† Hieronimo’s tragic play induces an unravelling of Lorenzo and Balthazar’s lust for her. Theatrically, it is a heterosexual desire, but underlying the costumes there are also complicated homosexual desires. This tendancy to refer explicitly to theatre partially orginates from the elaborate nature of the Elizabethan and Jacobean court. Queen Elizabeth enjoyed dressing up as various queens from ancient mythology, whilst King James’s courtly decorations were notouriously excessive. In Twelfth Night, gender boundaries and distinctions between truth and falsehood are both further blurred through references to the theatre. Frustrated with his ambiguous responses, Olivia sarcastically asks Cesario; â€Å"Are you a comedian?† to which he boldly rejoins, â€Å"No, my profound hear t, by the very fangs of malice I swear- I am not that I play.† The double negative of â€Å"no† and â€Å"not† complicates Cesario’s meaning. He is deliberately elusive because his identity is so complex. Again, on a theatrical level, he exposes his female identity as Viola, but also on a literal level, he discloses his true identity as a male actor. It therefore seems necessary to consider the words of Catherine Belsey, a critic who has given special attention to cross-dressing in Shakespearean comedies. She maintains that the ingeniousness of female characters adopting a male disguise is often that the actor becomes genderless, leaving us to question, â€Å"Who is speaking?† Although the layers of illusion are lessened if a male actor remains female throughout a play, the same question still applies. We are left forced to constantly re-evaluate the appearance and behaviour of individual characters. Hence, cross-dressing deconstructs our preconce ptions of script and theatre in addition to our understanding of gender.