We learn a lot about Achasveirosh in the beginning of the first Perek. It starts out telling us that he rules over 127 provinces and we assume that he is very powerful. But we learn something else very different. It begins by telling us that he has a party for 180 days for the diplomats and officers to display his wealth, glory, and possessions. He does this to show the important people how powerful he is because he wants to be so powerful. Then it says that there was a law that no one had to drink. This shows us a lot about the kingdom. It shows us that they had a system of government that has to control all aspects of their lives.
     Achashveirosh demands Vashti to come down so that he can show her off. That will make him seem even more powerful. When Vashti refuses to come to Achashveirosh, he has to meet with a group of officials to decide what to do. He makes a law that women have to obey their husbands. He is showing us that he cannot rely on himself and has to consult others to make his own decisions. We also learn that he has to make many laws for the people to think that he has a lot of power.  Then Achashveirosh has to find a new queen. His servant tells him to have all of the pretty women to be gathered. Once again he is not making a decision for himself. Once all of the women have been taken, another law is passed. The women have to be prepared for a year.
     Finally Mordechai and Esther are introduced. But Esther is introduced with two names which was kind of confusing. We learned that Hadassah is her Hebrew name and Esther is her Persian name. Since she also has a Persian name we can tell that the Jews are assimilating. I find this very interesting and easy to relate to. Just like them, we have the opportunity to move back to Israel and many of us have secular names.