A “strumpet” and her “fool”. Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra are too sordid as characters to ever achieve genuine tragedy- discuss.
A "strumpet" and her "fool". Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra are too sordid as characters to ever achieve genuine tragedy- discuss. Antony and Cleopatra's behaviour at intervals in the play do make her appear a "strumpet" and he her "fool". However, to solely condemn then as such fails to recognise the other qualities they possess as world leaders. They are judged initially for their inability to recognise the duty they have to their subjects. Their all-consuming passion is viewed as self-gratifying, fulfilling their needs to the destruction of others. The audience could view Cleopatra in two ways. As a strong heroin, a Royal Queen, fighting for her own political and literal survival by any means open to her yet at the same time insecure about her all-consuming love for a man she cannot fully possess. Furthermore it is arguably that she is a manipulative, irrational woman who is often disloyal to Antony, a femme fatale who brings about his downfall. Cleopatra does have some heroic qualities but her behaviour at the beginning of the play overshadows these initially. "If you find him sad, say I am dancing; If in mirth, report I am sudden sick" - Cleopatra Her past history is notorious as the role of mistress is commonplace, she is seen as being incapable of capturing a man who is free, her life is littered with illegitimate children, she is not virtuous, a hero is
Examine the Strengths and Weaknesses of Antony and Cleopatra's relationship and the significance love has on important events in the play.
Bianca Layne A-Level English Module 2, Shakespeare Examine the Strengths and Weaknesses of Antony and Cleopatra's relationship and the significance love has on important events in the play. Antony and Cleopatra's strengths in love fluctuate tremendously. Their behaviours toward each other create a chain reaction in the formation of events within the play. It is for these reasons, which determine the direction of the narrative. Antony behaviour is demonstrative of extreme strengths in his love toward Cleopatra, as he is prepared to neglect all his duties in Rome to stay in Egypt with her. His duties in Rome are very important to stabilise the triumvirate however, he still finds love more important. We see this when a messenger comes to call Antony back to Rome, his reply is: "Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch / of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space"(I.1.33)1 This shows his devotion to their love and shows the audience he has a sense of loves value. Antony uses hyperbole in his reply as he suggests that the river that flows through Rome will disappear or crumble and the bridge will collapse, before he will return, 'wide arch' also accentuates the strength of the bridge, this may show that Rome's might is so strong it does not need Antony. This use of language emphasizes how unlikely it is that Antony will leave Cleopatra. It shows he is prepared to see
Antony & Cleopatra - language
In Act 1 scene 3 lines 13-56, what do we learn about Antony and Cleopatra's characters? In Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare uses rich, poetic language; this not only provides a source of visual pleasure for the audience as it is a play; but also acts as a means of defining the various characters, particularly Antony and Cleopatra, the protagonists. In the scene being analysed, the tone, hyperbole language and imagery gives the reader an insight into the characters as well as their affection for one another. 'If you find him sad, Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report'. From the outset of the scene, Cleopatra's language and tone of voice depicts her character to the reader as very clever, yet volatile with a bizarre lack of confidence, 'I shall fall' illustrates her dependence and need for stability and security. The melodrama also portrays her crave for attention, especially that from Antony, and her egotistic rush for power and recognition. The reader also perceives Antony as the eponymous, tragic hero, who is allowing his love for Cleopatra to cloud his judgement. His short rushed sentences, 'Now, my dearest queen' in reply to her demands reiterate this judgement of character, he is reassuring her, and trying to placate her as he doesn't want a scene. The scene is almost a microcosm of the entire play; it miniaturises fundamental themes, and sets the atmosphere for the
In Act 5 of Antony and Cleopatra, Maecenas says that Antonys taints and honours waged equal with him. To what extent, and in what ways, does Shakespeare prepare the audience for this view in the first two acts of the play?
Sam Ford In Act 5 of ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, Maecenas says that Antony’s ‘taints and honours waged equal with him’. To what extent, and in what ways, does Shakespeare prepare the audience for this view in the first two acts of the play? In Shakespeare’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, different comments and views of Antony are given to explore his ‘taints and honours’. Through people’s remarks and obvious changing attitudes towards Antony, the audience are shown the changeability of his disposition as a consequence of the place his is situated, Rome or Egypt. The effect his company has on him is crucial to the perception the audience take of him, most significantly, the relationship between himself and Cleopatra, the ‘gypsy queen’ of Egypt. Shakespeare uses Philo to give the audience the view of Antony from a Roman perspective in a conversation with Demetrius, a friend and supporter of Antony, and give light to the concerns that Antony is placing his personal life before that of state issues, which subsequently supports the belief that Antony is neglecting his duties and responsibilities as a Triumvir. Antony’s position as part of the Triumvirate, ruler of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, coincides with the Aristotelian belief that the tragic hero should be of high rank or nobility, in order to heighten the intensity of the tragedy as they
How does your view of Antony change as the play goes on? Do you see him at the end as a tragic hero?
How does your view of Antony change as the play goes on? Do you see him at the end as a tragic hero? Philo’s opening line to the play, “Nay, but this dotage of our general’s/ O’erflows the measure”, introduces Antony in such a way that his, flaw, that he lacks moderation, is already apparent. This is not the only view of Antony we see in the opening scene, we also hear he has a “captain’s heart” even if his courage lacks restraint. The use of classical imagery when talking about his eyes, describing them as though they “...glowed like plated Mars”, show him to be a warrior but in contrast he is also called a “strumpet’s fool”, which shows that despite his Godlike qualities he also possesses some less desirable ones. He seems able to be dominated by women; both Cleopatra and Fulvia have some power over him. This can be seen by Cleopatra’s use of the imperative when she says, “If it be love indeed, tell me how much” and also when she suggests Antony will be scolded by “shrill-tongued Fulvia”. Antony seems a likeable character from the way he treats his soldiers and he is loved by his men who he treats as friends as well as subjects. The reason for this does not become truly apparent until later in the play but an excellent example of this can be seen when Enobarbus deserts Antony to join Caesar but Antony sends over Enobarbus’ treasure
Cleopatra is always at a significant disadvantage as a woman in a male-dominated world. What in your opinion are the strengths and weaknesses that the Queen shows as she deals with the men in the play?
Rohan Sathyanand 13G 17/09/2012 A2 English Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt “Cleopatra is always at a significant disadvantage as a woman in a male-dominated world.” What in your opinion are the strengths and weaknesses that the Queen shows as she deals with the men in the play? Unanimously renowned as the “harlot queen” [Stanley, 2001] and as a “lascivious courtesan” [Stanley, 2001], the mercurial Egyptian Queen is anachronistically portrayed by Shakespeare in a more sympathetic attitude than his contemporaries who had diluted her character into an object of carnality. Ostentatiously dissimilar from the female visions of constancy and chastity presented by Octavia and Fulvia, the “mature and sexual woman” is celebrated for her compassionate love which offers “the most profound vision of human constancy” [French, 1982] in the patriarchal power struggle between the three Roman triumvirs. Cleopatra, renowned for her physical beauty is shown to have an alluring effect on the men that surround her, often exploiting her appearance to ensnare powerful men to do her bidding. Te extent to her aesthetic manipulation is revealed in the lavish descriptions of her when she first met Antony, who instantaneously seemed to have fallen victim to her charms. The first encounter of the matriarch and her lover, as narrated by
Show how Shakespeare brings out the duality in Antonys character in Act 1.
Show how Shakespeare brings out the duality in Antony’s character in Act 1. “Antony and Cleopatra” by William Shakespeare is a play revolving around the destructive duality of Antony’s character. Shakespeare uses Antony’s transformation from Roman to Egyptian to cause constant conflict between the Roman side of Antony, defined by Empire and duty, and the Egyptian side of Antony, defined by folly and lust. “Antony and Cleopatra” is a tragedy involving Antony, one of the triumvirates who rule the world, who falls in love with, and has an affair with Cleopatra: the seductive queen of Egypt. Throughout the whole of the play Antony is caught in a tug-of-war between Antony the lover and Antony the leader. Shakespeare makes repeated references to Antony’s duality in character through the views of many characters throughout the play. Philo and Demetrius’ views of Antony at the very beginning of the play give the audience their first impressions of Antony’s character. Cleopatra and Octavius Caesar’s comments throughout Act 1 on Antony allow the audience to distinguish between his differing personalities. Furthermore, Antony’s own statements reinforce his duality. From the onset of the play, it is not entirely obvious to the audience that there is a duality in Antony’s character, however Antony’s responses throughout Act One give the audience clues
Cleopatra's timeless fascination exists for the characters of the play, for Shakespeare's public and ourselves as a modern audience. - How do you respond to this statement from your reading of the play?
"O Sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work" Enobarbus Act 1 Scene 2 Cleopatra's timeless fascination exists for the characters of the play, for Shakespeare's public and ourselves as a modern audience. - How do you respond to this statement from your reading of the play? Shakespeare's plays all have universal themes incorporated within the play such as love, death and jealousy that audiences throughout history would have enjoyed and empathised with. In 'Antony and Cleopatra;' I think Shakespeare has used these universal themes in the play, but he has also created a universal fascination in the character of Cleopatra. I plan to explore why she is fascinating to all audiences and the characters of the play and to decide whether I am ensnared and fascinated by Cleopatra, and also to look at the statement as a limited, dated and untrue hyperbolic description of Cleopatra. Has the modern audience and myself have ended this timeless fascination; as she represents nothing but an egotistical, dominatrix who sells her body to most powerful men she meets and we have tired of this aging woman only interested in self preservation. Cleopatra was a lusty woman; she had a high sex drive and she had control over the men she chose to love. Her unparalleled beauty, intelligence, lust and presence affected the characters in the play, the Jacobean audiences and she still
How does Shakespeare's play present these oppositions? In Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans.
Michelle Chandel 13J English - Mr Thorpe Shakespeare used as his source for his play North's translation of Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Plutarch, along with other Greek and Roman authors, saw an opposition between the conquering West, standing for moral and political virtue, and the conquered East representing luxury and decadence. How does Shakespeare's play present these oppositions? In Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, it is obvious to see the distinction between the decadent and luxurious East, and the West which stands for its moral and political virtue. This opposition between the East and the West is also apparent in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. We see this in the opening scene with a technique used by Shakespeare, where the opening is framed, so that the audience is caught in the middle of the conversation. The conversation is between Philo and Demetrius - fellow Roman officers, who are strongly disapproving of Antony's love for Cleopatra. They discuss how Antony's 'love' for Cleopatra is only a mere infatuation for a 'harlot'. There is further debate that this obsession for the Queen of Egypt is steering a powerful leader away from his greatness and concentration. Shakespeare has carefully chosen this framing device as the opening of his play, because it is structured so that the love affair is seem from a Roman
What Tensions and Conflicts are Established in Act 1 and Act 2 of Antony and Cleopatra?
What Tensions and Conflicts are Established in Act 1 and Act 2 of Antony and Cleopatra? Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra is a tale of conflict, love and responsibilities. In a world where Egyptian values contrast sharply with those of Rome, personal passions and tensions are set against a backdrop of political and military issues, creating irony and tension. Antony's decadent exploits in the east and his infatuation with Cleopatra, combined with his neglect of duty as a triumvir create drama as they highlight the delicate balance of power which exists within his world. The underlying pressure of war forces forward matters, as the virility and moral standards of the tragic hero come under scrutiny. Firstly, even before Antony and Cleopatra are introduced to the audience, the opening lines from Philo create an expectant atmosphere as he describes the deterioration of Antony from a strong and powerful leader into 'a strumpets fool.' By affixing these derogatory labels to the protagonists, he also simultaneously generates preconceptions of their characters within the viewers' minds. However, the images which he conjures conflict with the ones that we hold in our mind of Antony and Cleopatra being figures of authority and sophistication. The fact that the tragic hero is described as having become, "...the bellows and the fan to cool a gypsy's lust" contrasts sharply with his
