The Application of Leechs Politeness Maxims in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice

This study aims to investigate Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice in light of the application of Leechs politeness maxims. The study uses a qualitative method in analyzing the utterances of the major characters in the play; Shylock, Antonio and Bassanio, since most of the events within the play focus on their demands, personalities and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to reveal the degree of politeness reflected in the characters speeches. 17 extracts from Act 1 scene 3 (a street in Venice) and 6 extracts from Act 4 scene 1 (the court scene) are explored due to their importance in the plot development. In light of the analysis, some of the factors are highlighted according to their significant role in determining the use of politeness or impoliteness strategies. These factors are power, psychological aspects, personal values, irony principle, social status and religion. The study also examines the way in which the six maxims are employed in the extracts. To conclude, politeness strategies can be used to reveal much about peoples identities, values and psychology

Antioxidant and Infertility

Unexplained sub-fertility is commonly identified if couples fail to conceive after 1 yr. of everyday unprotected sexual intercourse even though investigations for ovulation, tubal patency and semen evaluation are ordinary. Many previous studies had shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in human fertility. Free radicals are neutralized by an elaborate antioxidant defense system. In a healthy body, pro-oxidants and antioxidants maintain a ratio and a shift in this ratio towards pro-oxidants gives rise to oxidative stress. There are two types of antioxidants in the human body: enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Under normal conditions, antioxidants convert ROS to H2O to prevent overproduction of ROS. All cells in the human body are capable of synthesizing glutathione specially the liver. Free radicals appear to have a physiological role in female reproductive system in many different processes such as: oocyte maturation, fertilization, luteal regression, endometrial shedding and progesterone production by the corpus luteum. Protection from ROS is afforded by scavengers present in both male and female reproductive tract fluids, as well as in seminal plasma elevated concentrations of ROS in these environments may have detrimental effects on the spermatozoa, oocytes, sperm oocyte interaction and embryos both in the Fallopian tube and the peritoneal cavity; therefore oxidative stress modulates a host of reproductive pathologies affecting natural fertility in a woman’s life