An exploration of how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra throughout the play.
An exploration of how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra throughout the play.
As the title suggests Antony and Cleopatra are the two main characters of the play and have between them a relationship forged through love and torn apart through death. As expected of a play written by Shakespeare their relationship is not a simple one but one shrouded in lies, deceit, scandal and mystery. Echoing other Shakespearean relationships such as "Romeo and Juliet" Antony and Cleopatra are destined to be together through either life or death.
From the very start of the play the audience is made aware of the main factor, capable of tearing Antony and Cleopatra apart, Antony's duty to Rome. In the opening scene of the play Antony receives a message from Octavius and is mocked by Cleopatra, who taunts Antony by imitating Octavius and saying "Do this or this, take in that kingdom". She makes Antony feel lesser than Octavius, whom she describes as "scarce bearded" implying that he is taking orders from a young boy. This shows the reader, from the very start of the play how manipulative Cleopatra can be, especially if she feels threatened and wants to get her own way. Cleopatra is threatened by Antony's link with Rome as she feels it has the potential to pull them apart, and she is right. Antony does not wish to give up anything, he is pulled by a life in Rome which brings with it order and duty, but also power, and Egypt, that represents pleasure and love for Antony. It is not until scene two of the first act that Antony begins to seriously consider leaving Cleopatra to return to Rome and fulfil his duty as a member of the triumvirate. When Antony hears of the death of Fulvia his decision is almost made for him, as he is afraid of what the power of Rome could do to him, "for not alone the death of Fulvia calls him back". Although he is willing to return to Rome he is always aware of the effect that Cleopatra is having on him and knows that he must break his bonds with Cleopatra. In this scene Antony says, "these strong Egyptian fetters I must break" and "I must from this enchanting queen break off". Shakespeare has uses these two comments to show how Antony is "enchanted" by Cleopatra as if she has put a spell on him. By using the word "fetters" Shakespeare is also showing the audience how Antony feels chained and trapped. When the rising political power of Pompey demands it, Antony finally decides he has to return to Rome.
In scene three of the first act, Antony approaches Cleopatra and tells her of the news of his departure. It is in this scene that Shakespeare makes clear to the audience the desire that Cleopatra has to keep Antony in Egypt. Cleopatra uses all her wiles to prevent Antony leaving her, pretended indifference, mockery, anger and simulated illness. She even says to Charmian, "if you find him sad, say that I am dancing". She is using her domineering, manipulative nature to try and get what she wants, by pretending to feel the opposite of Antony. When Antony enters ...
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In scene three of the first act, Antony approaches Cleopatra and tells her of the news of his departure. It is in this scene that Shakespeare makes clear to the audience the desire that Cleopatra has to keep Antony in Egypt. Cleopatra uses all her wiles to prevent Antony leaving her, pretended indifference, mockery, anger and simulated illness. She even says to Charmian, "if you find him sad, say that I am dancing". She is using her domineering, manipulative nature to try and get what she wants, by pretending to feel the opposite of Antony. When Antony enters she feigns illness and asks Charmian to "help her away" as she fears "she may fall." This scene is important in showing the strength and resilience of Antony in resisting the temptation of Cleopatra and showing that the relationship between the two is not totally one sided. It is important for Shakespeare to establish Antony's strength since it is only a strong man who could win the heart of a woman such as Cleopatra. As a further irony, through Cleopatra's actions, although pretended, it is made clear the desire she has to keep Antony by her side and a further sign of the love that she has for him.
In the first act Shakespeare makes the reader feel sorry for Antony and dislike Cleopatra for manipulating such a "noble", "brave" hero as Antony. Shakespeare emphasises the scale of his character, in order to increase the audience's feelings of sympathy towards Antony. It is not though until the end of the first act and beginning of the second act that the audience begins to feel sympathetic towards Cleopatra. In scene five of the first act Cleopatra is restless at the loss of Antony. She sends messages to Antony daily and all of her thoughts are centred on him. He returns her messages and sends her the gift of a pearl. The audience is really made aware at this point of the true love she has for Antony. Shakespeare shows the audience this through the comment made my Cleopatra at the end of the scene, "He shall have every day a several greeting, or I' ll unpeople Egypt. This is a very extreme comment for Cleopatra to make and it shows that she is willing to place Antony above all of her people. This demonstrates Cleopatra's love for Antony, which could be doubted earlier in the play when she is manipulating Antony trying to stop him from leaving her. This scene reassures the audience that although Antony is in Rome his affections still lie with Cleopatra and Egypt. He tells Cleopatra that "The strong necessity of time / Commands our services a while but my full heart / Remains in use with you", letting Cleopatra know that his love for her will always be for her.
After reassuring Cleopatra of his love for her it is surprising news for Cleopatra that Antony is to be married to Octavia. Octavia is used as a pawn in the battle for power. She is made into a wife, but Cleopatra is not. She may become Antony's "mistress" in the process, but at least as an independent monarch she can claim power over her own life. Cleopatra is however enraged by the news of the marriage and turns her fury against the messenger who brings the news to her. She loves Antony and hearing this news after all he has promised her is too much for her. Cleopatra is overcome by her feelings and as well as attacking a messenger she also threatens and harasses a servant as a representation of what she would do to Antony. When she first hears the news she wishes "the most infectious pestilence" upon the messenger, and proceeds to strike him to the ground. "Horrible villain, I'll spurn thine eyes", "I'll unhair thy head" and "thou shalt be whipped with wire" are three examples of the threats she makes to the messenger. Cleopatra is venting her anger in the only way she can, without looking weak. The news of the marriage is a great blow to Cleopatra and she is intrigued to know what Octavia looks like. This is a sign of insecurity on her behalf, as she wants to know what the woman she has been "replaced" with is like, and why Octavia is in Antony's eyes "better" than she is. This scene does though offer further evidence of her vitality and passion, two qualities, which so powerfully attract Antony. Shakespeare has now made Antony look like the villain in the play and the audience now feels sorry for Cleopatra. In just a few scenes the control has switched between Cleopatra and Antony.
Throughout the play, it is hard to see if Antony loves Cleopatra more than she loves him, or vice versa. When Antony returns to Egypt from Rome once more he is showing Cleopatra just how much he loves her and that he would even turn his back on his own country, and risk war just to be reunited with Cleopatra once more. " For though I make this marriage for my peace, I the' East my pleasure lies". This comment made by Antony about his marriage to Octavia shows how even when he is married to another woman all of his feelings still lie with Cleopatra. His love for Cleopatra is also underlined when he declares, "let Rome in Tiber melt". To talk about such a thing, which if came true would bring destruction upon Rome is clearly showing his loyalty to Egypt and in turn Cleopatra. Even when Cleopatra decides to abandon Antony at sea during the first battle he still forgives her. Antony is tortured by the thought of defeat at the hands of one he knows to be his inferior as a soldier, so for Antony to forgive Cleopatra so easily is a sign of the true love that he has for her. "Egypt, thou knew'st too well / My heart was to thy rudder tied by th'strings
This total devotion to Cleopatra, however misplaced, shows Antony's true character. In contrast Scene 13 of the third act suggests that their love for each other is equal. Antony's savagery towards Thidias is similar to that shown by Cleopatra towards the messenger in the second scene of the first act. Just as Cleopatra's anger was provoked by her passion for Antony, whom she felt had deserted her, Antony's anger stems from his passion for Cleopatra whom he suspects of betraying his love. This link is created by Shakespeare to show the special bond that the two lovers have between him. It suggests that they love each other equally, as they both provide the same response to the same situations, in the name of love for each other.
Their deep love for each other is finally reflected through their deaths. Cleopatra, behaving characteristically, hopes to win Antony over by game-playing, sending Mardian to tell Antony that she is dead. It is this game-playing that brings about Antony's death. At the thought of her death Antony's world collapses around him, so much so that he even begins to feel a loss of identity, "Here I am, Antony, yet cannot hold this visible shape". Shakespeare is showing that Antony cannot live without Cleopatra and that without her he is nothing. It is not until he hears of Cleopatra's death that Shakespeare really lets the audience know just how deep Antony's love for Cleopatra is. Even when Antony is made aware that Cleopatra is still alive, whilst he is dying, all he wants is to be with her, ""Bear me good friends, where Cleopatra bides; 'Tis the last service that I shall command you". Shakespeare uses this quote to show that no matter what, in life or in death all Antony desires is to be with Cleopatra.
Cleopatra's death is heavily influenced by the death of Antony. Her desire to join him in the afterlife and be with him is overwhelming and forces her to take her own life. Even the threat made by Caesar to "kill her own children if she takes her life" cannot influence her decision. The last thing Cleopatra calls for before she dies is Antony. "Methinks I hear Antony call. I see him rouse himself, to praise my noble act". This comment made by Cleopatra shows the heavy influence that Antony's death has on her decision to commit suicide. During such a tragic moment all she can think about is joining him. "Husband I come, now to that name my courage prove my title". Cleopatra only refers to Antony as her husband once during the whole play and it is this comment, that makes the audience aware of the true love she has for Antony and how proud she is that he is her "husband".
In conclusion it is clearly evident that Shakespeare presents Antony and Cleopatra as two powerful figures that although pulled apart from their duties, are destined to be together whether it be in life, or in death. Their true love for each other provides a strong bond that although weakened by Antonys marriage to Octavia, cannot be broken.
