The audience are put right in the thick of it, there is argument between the two main characters, Anthony and Cleopatra, and a relationship is established. In my opinion there is not a better way of catching the audiences attention than with an argument. This also helps the audience recognise the central theme Rome versus Egypt. Opening with a crisis has an immediate impact on the audience because there is a large amount of pressure on their relationship and a lot of tension between the two characters. This is shown in the language used between them. “If it be love indeed, tell me how much?”
Anthony and Cleopatra is not a straightforward love story as some people might first think. The outside world is causing problems i.e. Rome, who send messengers who are symbolic of intervention, they will eventually destroy their relationship. They are always sent away and neglected by Anthony. The audience will question his responsibilities as he puts pleasure before his duties.
The outset of the play helps the audience establish the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra.
The language used, by Anthony and Cleopatra is often beautiful, extravagant, exalted and implicit in that there is a grand passion some sordid lust “Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.” Both Anthony and Cleopatra speak in poetry whereas other characters seem to speak normal. This almost singles out the two characters. Shakespeare also creates an atmosphere in the opening scene to add to the interest that the audience feel. Shakespeare achieves this by using creative language “Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn” referring to the roman god of war.
In the outset, Cleopatra provokes and taunts Anthony “Excellent falsehood” and he simply responds by declaring his love for Cleopatra although he married to Fulvia. We, the audience, establish Fulvias character through Cleopatra’s eyes –“shrill tongued” this instantly causes a dislike to the character. Although the audience has not yet met Fulvia and neither has Cleopatra. Cleopatra constantly plays hard to get “We will not look upon him”.
I think that Cleopatra is insecure about her character and that is why she needs to be told how much she is loved “If it be love indeed, tell me how much,” she needs reassurance. She feels that Anthony will run back to his wife and that she is being deceived and used “Why did he marry Fulvia and not love her? I seem the fool.” When Cleopatra is mocking Anthony I think that it is her way of testing him to see if loyal “Fulvia perchance is angry, or who knows.”
In conclusion from the opening scene we get the strong antithesis between the two countries involved in this play, Egypt and Rome. In Rome they have to deal with soldiers, rules, regulations, order and politics. Whereas in Egypt there is pleasure and Freedom, which Shakespeare forces Anthony to chose between. The constant reference to sex will also attract the audience’s attention as they might hope that the play is explicit. The story is also captivating. People will want to know how the story turns out although they could probably guess that it ends in a tragedy. I think that if the play was performed on stage then there would be lots of bright colours and gold, which would have also attracted the audiences attention.
