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AS and A Level: Antony and Cleopatra

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97 AS and A Level Antony and Cleopatra essays

  • Marked by Teachers essays 5
  • Peer Reviewed essays 3
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  1. Marked by a teacher

    'Cleopatra is often interpreted as the designing woman who brings down a worthy soldier and ruler, but this view is simplistic.' How do you, in the 21st century, respond to Shakespeare's dramatic presentation of Cleopatra?

    5 star(s)

    It is evident here how a thoughtful title can help to give an essay structure and direction. The writer has given a lively and sophisticated response to a well-phrased question.…

    • Essay length: 1718 words
    • Submitted: 02/01/2009
    • Marked by teacher: (?) Val Shore 25/02/2012
    • Reviewed by: (?) 01/07/2012
  2. Marked by a teacher

    Explore the ways Shakespeare presents the concept of authority in Antony and Cleopatra

    4 star(s)

    The essay has many strengths. It is generally well-expressed and offers insights which are well-grounded in textual detail. The writer is also willing to reflect on different ways in which…

    • Essay length: 2067 words
    • Submitted: 31/03/2006
    • Marked by teacher: (?) Val Shore 25/02/2012
    • Reviewed by: (?) 25/06/2012
  3. Marked by a teacher

    Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Cleopatra in the play 'Antony and Cleopatra'

    3 star(s)

    The essay makes a range of valid points, but these are undermined by weaknesses in expression and punctuation. Candidates who find expressing their ideas difficult may be helped by reading…

    • Essay length: 1810 words
    • Submitted: 24/01/2007
    • Marked by teacher: (?) Val Shore 01/01/1970
  4. Marked by a teacher

    Read the following extract from Act 1 scene 2. In what ways does this passage show the conflict of Rome and Egypt?

    3 star(s)

    The effective opening and concluding paragraphs show that the writer understands how the play sets up a conflict between Egypt and Rome, but this notion of conflict is never fully…

    • Essay length: 831 words
    • Submitted: 01/11/2006
    • Marked by teacher: (?) Val Shore 25/02/2012
  5. Marked by a teacher

    Compare and contest the differing perspectives of Anthony and Cleopatra in act one.In your opinion which one of the characters is portrayed in a more positive light?

    3 star(s)

    The writer has made many valid points about the two characters in Act 1, though there is some doubt about whether secondary sources have been quoted without being acknowledged.

    • Essay length: 1644 words
    • Submitted: 20/02/2006
    • Marked by teacher: (?) Val Shore 26/09/2012
  6. Peer reviewed

    'Ruthless leader....loving brother....boring Puritan....gracious victor.' Explore the way in which Shakespeare presents the character of Octavius Caesar in 'Antony

    …

    • Essay length: 2047 words
    • Submitted: 14/02/2006
    • Reviewed by: (?) lordharvey 01/07/2012

  7. Analyse Shakespeares presentation of the characters of Antony and Cleopatra in Act 1.

    • Essay length: 686 words
    • Submitted: 23/10/2011

  8. Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" I.i-II.iv

    • Essay length: 981 words
    • Submitted: 13/09/2009

  9. Caesar in "Antony and Cleopatra" I.i-III.iii

    • Essay length: 1233 words
    • Submitted: 13/09/2009

  10. Antony and Cleopatra

    • Essay length: 1989 words
    • Submitted: 03/03/2009
97 essays
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Often essay questions ask for an exploration of the scenes, speeches or extracts from the play. These essays require close attention to detail and textual analysis including

  1. 1 How characters are established and developed through the language they use.
  2. 2 Changing from verse to prose and its effect.
  3. 3 Poetic and dramatic effects of language choice including individual words and use of simile and metaphor.
  4. 4 Placing of the caesura and its effects.
  5. 5 How the extract relates to the themes of the play as a whole.

Developing a personal response to 'Antony and Cleopatra' - some things to think about when planning your essays

  1. 1 Who do I find the most admirable/puzzling/ unlikeable/irritating character?
  2. 2 What is Cleopatra’s best quality, and what is her worst?
  3. 3 Which speech or speeches do I find most powerful and why?
  4. 4 Which scenes or characters are amusing, and why are there comic scenes in a tragedy?
  5. 5 Are any of the minor characters interesting and what do they contribute to the play?

Points to remember when writing about the contrasting and conflicting 'worlds' of Egypt and Rome

  1. 1 Caesar is not the only representative of Rome. Consider also Pompey, Lepidus, Octavia and a range of soldiers and messengers.
  2. 2 Similarly Cleopatra is not the only representative of Egypt.
  3. 3 Consider the role of Enobarbus. Is he the only character who successfully spans both worlds?
  4. 4 Include analysis of how language and verse forms help to create the worlds of Egypt and Rome.
  5. 5 Finally a common error to avoid when writing about Rome and Egypt – It was Julius Caesar who was Cleopatra’s former lover, not the Caesar of the play, who is Octavius Caesar.

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Conclusion analysis

Good conclusions usually refer back to the question or title and address it directly - for example by using key words from the title.
How well do you think these conclusions address the title or question? Answering these questions should help you find out.

  1. Do they use key words from the title or question?
  2. Do they answer the question directly?
  3. Can you work out the question or title just by reading the conclusion?

  • Analyse Shakespeares presentation of the characters of Antony and Cleopatra in Act 1.

    "In conclusion I think that Shakespeare presents Antony and Cleopatra as being madly and deeply in love but they are lustful towards each other and this enhances their relationship. Also that the two of them are incredibly powerful leaders but do neglect this and put their relationship first and foremost."

  • Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Cleopatra in the play 'Antony and Cleopatra'

    "In my opinion 'Antony and Cleopatra' is a play of one woman's love and all the emotions and actions involved with this emotion. The presentation of Cleopatra shows her struggle to overcome her jealousy, selfishness and childish qualities to be with Antony, even though she has to commit suicide to achieve this. Shakespeare uses Cleopatra to show the desperate lengths people will go to."

  • Compare and contest the differing perspectives of Anthony and Cleopatra in act one.In your opinion which one of the characters is portrayed in a more positive light?

    "CONCLUSION Throughout the play we are given many different perspectives of Anthony and Cleopatra. We are shown how Anthony can be tempted by the exotic frontier of Egypt and Cleopatra; while he is in Egypt he can forget all his worries. In Egypt he can be a sort of King and self indulge. In Rome he is treated as an equal. When in Rome he reverts back to his warlike self. He is a man torn between Egypt and Rome, duty and passion, political ambition and love. He is clearly divided and unsure about what he really wants. He is seen by Romans, not as a traitor, but as someone who has succumbed to Cleopatra. Albeit Anthony's love for Cleopatra is genuine. Cleopatra is perceived by many as a whore, because of her past, she is frowned upon by the Romans who know nothing apart from war and duty, Cleopatra is in a world of her own and knows nothing apart from the Egyptian way of life of luxury and passion. Act 1 shows a clash of cultures and the struggle to cope in a relationship between such diverse emotions. Therefore I feel that because of their polar differences neither Anthony or Cleopatra can be seen in a more positive light to one another and I therefore cannot give a definitive answer."

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