English Coursework- Antony and Cleopatra

“Compare Shakespeare’s presentation of Antony in the Egyptian scenes with his presentation of Antony in the Roman scenes”

Shakespeare presents Antony in Egypt and Antony in Rome, in a very contrasting way. We see a man who almost contradicts his own self, dependant upon the company he is in. A great leader, yet he falls before Cleopatra. Antony is presented as the epitome of Roman masculinity,

Philo describing Antony in the opening-

“…those his goodly eyes, that o’er the files and musters of the war have glow’d like Mars…his captain’s heart, which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst the buckles on his breast…”-These words conjuring up imagery of war, machismo, and strength. Ideals that are most reputable in a Roman. Yet this man’s role can be seen as sublimely reversed when in the presence of Cleopatra, the domineering, hedonistic Queen of Egypt, his love. Caesar says of Antony in Act 1 scene 4-

“… (Speaking of Antony) he fishes, drinks, and wastes the lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike than Cleopatra, nor the Queen of Ptolomy more womanly than he.”

Coming from Caesar, one of Antony’s triumvirate counterparts, this is a strong statement, highlighting the problems Antony has caused. I do believe that there is much more depth to Antony’s self in Egypt, however it seems at essence he is a different man.

The theme of Antony being a ‘fallen hero’ almost, is a reoccurring one, and interestingly happens only with the involvement of the Romans. The Egyptians never regard his presence in Egypt as “dotage” or giving “a kingdom for a mirth”. We first become aware of Antony’s ‘fall from grace’ in the very opening of the play. Shakespeare presents us immediately with a soliloquy from Philo (A roman friend of Antony) Philo speaks badly of Antony’s presence in Egypt,

“Nay this dotage of our General’s o’eflows the measure...and is become the bellows and the fan to cool a Gipsy’s lust.” And this provides us with a strong sense of foreboding. Shakespeare, instead of showing us the protagonist, and presenting him in an immediately amiable light, we are shown this dark undertone, and become aware of what the world is saying of Antony. Perhaps it is almost ironic that Shakespeare presents Antony in Egypt first, by means of using a roman. Though I maintain that this is a very roman idea, and there is certainly no reference to Egyptian ‘common liars’ who he approves- so put by Demetrius in Act 1 scene 1. Even Antony recognizes that he is spoken badly of,

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“Name Cleopatra as she is call’d in Rome” he says to a messenger (Act 1 scene 2),

This theme is carried out throughout the book, through its dark moments,

“(Like a doting Mallard)” Scarrus refers to Antony when he flees battle after Cleopatra (Act 3 scene 10). In Act 4 scene 3, Antony’s guards hear music; they decide it is the god Hercules leaving Antony-again a reference to the man crumbling apart.

In the Egyptian scenes, Antony Is presented as almost an object of Cleopatra. He becomes second to her, and is helpless but to follow ...

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“Name Cleopatra as she is call’d in Rome” he says to a messenger (Act 1 scene 2),

This theme is carried out throughout the book, through its dark moments,

In the Egyptian scenes, Antony Is presented as almost an object of Cleopatra. He becomes second to her, and is helpless but to follow her as she manipulates him relentlessly. Act 1 Scene 1 shows us this quite clearly. Depicted in it, bear in mind this is the first time we see the characters Antony and Cleopatra, Antony tries desperately to declare his love to Cleopatra. However she tries to drain more complements out of the quite clearly smitten Antony,

“If it be love indeed, tell me how much” She replies to Antony. Cleopatra drags out of Antony some fairly unsettling statements. Antony states,

“Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch of the rang’d empire fall”, coming from a triumvirate, this is a most distressing statement. And in a way confirms to us what the Romans have told us about. It seems to us the audience that Cleopatra is in total control. Throughout the scene Shakespeare presents Antony very much in a secondary position, he answers to Cleopatra, he tries to satisfy her she quite clearly manipulates the conversation- she uses techniques such as distress, exaggeration, and sarcasm;

“…Or who knows if the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent this powerful Mandate to you: Do this, or this…perform’t or else we damn thee.” This is part of her response to Antony after he dismisses a Roman messenger. Shakespeare’s presentation in this scene of Antony clearly leaves us in no doubt as to who is the dominant in this relationship. In Act 2 scene 4, despite his decision to make amends with Caesar and marry Caesar’s sister Octavia, Antony decides to leave Rome for Egypt once again. To where his “pleasure lies”. All this because a soothsayer tells him luck is on Caesar’s side; Antony’s luck does not bode well. Act 3 scene 10 Antony flees battle after Cleopatra, again another totally uncharacteristic manoeuvre, which furthers our impression of her hold upon the triumvirate. Antony knows she does too,

“You did know how much you were my conqueror, and that my sword, made weak by my affection, would obey it on all cause.” This is an out-an-out attack at Cleopatra, an accusation that she deliberately manipulated him. Previously in scene 7 he ignores his fellow soldier’s advice and lets Cleopatra fight in the battle. Again all this clearly showing the control she has over Antony. Although in Act 1 scene 3 Antony stands his ground and does leave Egypt, despite Cleopatra’s best efforts. However I think Enobarbus sums up best, when Mecenas says, “Now Antony must leave her utterly.”

Enobarbus says, “Never he will not.”

Whereas in Rome Antony becomes his own man. He is presented as a total contrast to himself in Egypt, he contests with Caesar and they argue. We see the remnants of the ‘once great’ Marcus Antonious. Act 2 scene 2, the Triumvir meet again to discuss the problems that have aroused from Antony’s absence. They immediately get down to the matters at hand. Caesar makes accusations of Antony, “You were the word of war.” He claims Antony was the reason for why Fulvia (Antony’s deceased wife) waged war again him. Antony defends himself from this and several other accusations. He and Caesar argue, eventually both men settle upon an agreement (One that Caesar’s follower Agrippa advises). However it is in this scene that we see Antony strongly defending himself, speaking negatively of his stay in Egypt-“Poisoned hours”. Shakespeare presents to us an Antony breaking away from the restrictions Cleopatra had emplaced upon him, and trying to recon ciliate his relationship with his fellow triumvirates.

Egypt is almost presented to us as a land of escape for Antony, a place where he can let his guard down and experience much more of the pleasures that life offers. Enobarbus’ speech, depicting Antony and Cleopatra’s first meeting, is a prime example. Written in verse, his language is rich, poetic and full of metaphor, “Purple the sails, and so perfumed that the winds were love-sick,” this describing Cleopatra’s royal barge. Enobarbus proceeds to talk about the pair, Antony invites her to supper, however she replies inviting him to be her guest-this relates back to my earlier point of her domineering control. Enobarbus speaks of Antony going to the feast and, “…for his ordinary pays his heart, for what his eyes eat only.” Emphasizing the fact the pair are sexually attracted to one another-“his eyes only” brings up imagery of Cleopatra being a ‘feast’ for ones eyes. Egypt is described as an exotic place, full of lustful aromas, crowds adoring Cleopatra, and beauty beyond measure. Antony sits in a market place when Cleopatra arrives. Perhaps he is escaping the hectic hassle of a famous Roman life. In Rome one would not mix with the lower class citizens, here in Egypt both he and Cleopatra go out and mingle with the crowd, “ …and to keep turn of tippling with a slave, to reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet with knaves,”(Caesar, Act 1 scene 4). It seems to us, through Shakespeare’s presentation of not just Antony, but of his relationship with the queen of Egypt, that perhaps he is curious of how it feels being an unknown, being a commoner. Antony and Cleopatra seem almost fascinated. They go out at night and see what happens in Alexandria, they drink with commoners. In Act 2 scene 2 Antony decides to return to Egypt, “…to where my pleasure lies.” This quote clearly depicting Egypt as the land to which Antony yearns for. The land he can escape to.

It is through his Egyptian scenes, and the way in which Shakespeare presents him to us, that we see Antony as a character of great depth. Though earlier I made the point of Antony being firmly under Cleopatra’s control, in scenes such as Act 1 scene 3 Antony keeps his cool, stands his ground and ultimately leaves Egypt. Throughout the scene Cleopatra seems to be the dominant, however but by being recessive, Antony very subtly expresses his control in their relationship. It is through the Egyptian presentation that Antony becomes a much deeper character than his Roman counter-parts. They all are presented as men with a singular occupation, to which they remain. They seem almost two-dimensional in comparison to Antony- he is a triumvirate, lover to the Queen of Egypt, head of a mighty army. He switches between madly loving Cleopatra, and despising her existence. Antony is at conflict. In contrast, none of the Roman characters are.

Shakespeare presents Antony, very much as a man at conflict. He is at conflict with himself, and the battles are fought inside him, his very self is in turmoil. Shakespeare makes very clear throughout the play, that Antony’s stay in Egypt and relationship is somewhat controversial. Antony’s conflict comes about from two opposite aspects of Antony’s character, love and duty.