'Antony and Cleopatra share a rich and distinctive vocabulary'. Referring to at least 2 passages, examine some of the poetic and dramatic qualities of the language they use.
'Antony and Cleopatra share a rich and distinctive vocabulary' Referring to at least 2 passages, examine some of the poetic and dramatic qualities of the language they use In act 1 scene 1, Philo begins by complaining to Demetrius that Cleopatra has transformed Antony from a great general to a whore's fool. The scene is based on the true love affair and the romance between the two characters. However there is an ambiguous nature to the passage, as we are not given a clear indication of Cleopatra's feelings, whether she is angry or whether it is all light hearted. The scene begins with Antony and Cleopatra entering, with great drama as Cleopatra has Eunuchs fanning her and attending her every need. Cleopatra is pushing Antony to describe how much he loves her and this shows her power and demand for the declaration of Antony's love. 'If it be love indeed, tell me how much.' Antony however is calmer and softer in his language. He uses natural imagery by comparing his love for her to the 'new heaven, new earth.' This shows that Cleopatra is more dramatic and that Anthony is more poetic in his choice of language. A messenger then comes from Octavius, but Antony, clearly annoyed, commands the messenger to be brief. 'Grates me! The sum' This short sharp sentence expresses Antony's anger but it also portrays the language of Rome, which is confident and direct. By saying 'The
How does Anthony and Cleopatra present the contrast between the conquering west and the decadent east?
Antony and Cleopatra Q: Shakespeare used as his source for this 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 conquering East representing luxury and decadence. How does Shakespeare's play present these oppositions? Shakespeare was deeply concerned with the meanings of the classical past. His play Antony and Cleopatra concerns itself with a major theme from Renaissance culture: The importance and continued thriving of Europe's Graeco-Roman culture. Yet in one sense, Shakespeare rebelled against the traditional portrayal of Rome by the narrator of his source Plutarch and his contempories. Whilst imperial historians and medieval poets like Chaucer shared Plutarch's view that glorified Rome, both as a virtuous political power and as a morally legitimate empire, Shakespeare refused to see Rome's motives as wholly honourable. He emphasised the themes of the decline of virtue and the pursuit of honour, which represent satirical work of the highest degree. Therefore this play cannot really be read as a propaganda piece for Western domination. On the other hand, Plutarch and his contempories saw the East as the manifestation of all that was extravagant and ostentatious; a place of desire and decadence
Cleopatra has been described as both an "enchanting Queen" and "triple-turned whore". Examine Shakespeare's presentation of Cleopatra and how a modern audience might respond to her.
Cleopatra has been described as both an "enchanting Queen" and "triple-turned whore". Examine Shakespeare's presentation of Cleopatra and how a modern audience might respond to her. In Antony and Cleopatra, written around 1606, according to Wells and Taylor, it is apparent that it is characterised by informality and decadence and this may be a reflection of the times. Audiences might have wanted or expected such things and the dramatist merely complied with current tastes. Drama was the prime means of public entertainment during Shakespeare's time. To go and watch a Shakespeare play was a form of escapism for his audiences. They escaped into another world and would be fascinated by the plays Shakespeare produced. Cleopatra was an especially fascinating character for the Jacobean audience because she was controversial, shocking and challenging. The Jacobean people were predominantly devout Catholics and Protestants, they wouldn't have practiced monogamy, adultery and more than one sexual partner would have been disgraceful. Women were by far the lesser sex; however this status was acknowledged, they may have seen it as customary and it was generally accepted by most women. The audiences would have been very shocked by the behaviour of
Comment on the portrayal of Antony and Cleopatra and your responses to them in the first three scenes of the play.
Comment on the portrayal of Antony and Cleopatra and your responses to them in the first three scenes of the play. The play opens in Cleopatra's palace. Two of Antony's friends, Philo and Demetrius discuss how Antony has become the "bellows and the fan to cool a gypsy's lust" and that he has become a "strumpets fool". In his opening lines, Philo complains that Antony has abandoned the military endeavours on which his reputation is based for Cleopatra's sake. This criticism of Antony's "dotage" or stupidity, introduces a tension between reason and emotion that runs throughout the play. Antony and Cleopatra's first exchange heightens this tension, as they argue whether their love can be put into words and understand or whether it exceeds such faculties and boundaries of reason. Philo and Demetrius stand aside as Antony and Cleopatra enter. Antony and Cleopatra talk of love and Antony says, "There's beggary in the love than can be reckoned". He refuses to hear a messenger from Rome, saying "Let Rome and Tiber melt and the wide arch of ranged empire fall!" Antony is a once fierce and feared soldier who rules the Roman Empire along with Ocatvius Caesar and Lepidus. In the opening of the play, Antony has neglected his duties as a ruler in order to live in Egypt, where he carries on a highly visible love affair with Cleopatra. Antony's loyalty is divided between Egypt and
Discuss the presentation of Cleopatra presented in Act 1
Discuss the presentation of Cleopatra presented in Act 1 In act 1 in Antony and Cleopatra, Cleopatra is presented as a dominant, sexually veracious, dramatic character that is totally besotted with Antony and wants to know everything about him when he is not around him. She comes across as a very complex character that seems to show a state of ambivalence that is of love and hate, by poking fun at and belittling Antony when he is present, but constantly wandering about him when he is gone even to the point of her conjuring up an image of him. It is apparent that one of Cleopatra's characteristics is her dominance and especially the dominance she holds over Antony. In their first exchange she illustrates herself to be the more dominant entity verbally compared to Antony. She forces Antony to keep on complimenting her by saying how much he loves her: "there's beggary in the love that can be reckoned...then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth [for his love]". From this short conversation, Cleopatra's dominance is illustrated by how she controls it: "if it be love indeed, tell me how much", showing that she is in total control even so much as by saying that she will tell him how much to love her: "I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved". Her dominance is presented in another way also later on when she deliberately belittles Antony by playing on his lack of
The central concerns of the Antony and Cleopatra as illustrated by Act 1, Scene 3, lines 24 - 41.
Chantal Fauconier 36304808 Due Date: 03 August 2005 Modular Code: ENN206-M Assignment 01: The central concerns of the Antony and Cleopatra as illustrated by Act 1, Scene 3, lines 24 - 41. This essay will look at two of the central concerns in Antony and Cleopatra, namely reason versus passion and the public versus private domains. These two central concerns of the play are clearly illustrated in the extract we are provided with. I will mainly focus on the character of Antony in this essay as it is within him that these two concerns of the play are most evident. In the beginning of the play we see that Mark Antony has been neglecting his duties as part of the triumvirate of Rome as he has been staying with his mistress Cleopatra. His wife, Fulvia, dies and Octavius Caesar and Lepidus request that he joins them to deal with the threat of Pompey. When Antony becomes aware of Pompey's threat and Fulvia's death, he realises that he needs to free himself from the "enchanting queen" (1.2.125) or risk wasting away "in dotage" (1.2.114) (Branco, 2003). Antony goes to tell Cleopatra that he will be leaving Egypt. The extract given refers to the discussion that occurs between Cleopatra and Antony as he informs her that he will be returning to Rome. Cleopatra is very distressed by the news and accuses Antony of betrayal and being happy to return to Fulvia. She also accuses him of
An exploration of Shakespeare's use of imagery in 'Antony and Cleopatra'
An exploration of Shakespeare's use of imagery in 'Antony and Cleopatra' In 'Antony and Cleopatra' Shakespeare uses a wide range of imagery. These forms of imagery includes: mythological characters, the elements, food and the lunar cycle. In this essay I will be exploring this imagery to suggest its intended purpose to display relationships, the Roman and Egyptian empires and power of the characters. Shakespeare compares Antony to Mars the god of War and Cleopatra to Venus. Shakespeare uses this type of imagery because the Elizabethan audience would have known the myths and legends that surround these gods. "Have glowed like plated Mars." This is how Philo introduces us to the play and Antony. Philo is a dramatic device that gives the audience a strong impression of how Romans viewed Antony. With this simile he is showing how Antony used to be a frightening and powerful figure. "Now bend now turn." The subject of this imagery is how he has changed his focus from military leadership to his private passion, Cleopatra and the life style of indulgence, which is essentially what Egypt represents in the play. Enobarbus also refers to Antony using Mars, "Speak as loud as Mars" This shows Antony like Mars was respected for the power of his brazen voice and wise words, which was heard throughout Rome. This shows Anthony's character before he met Cleopatra
Explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra.
English Literature: Shakespeare coursework Explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra The epic love affair of Antony and Cleopatra is a great and powerful love shared by two people at the height of their fame and glory, and it is Shakespeare's greatness to show Antony and Cleopatra in love, in the celebration of their love before disaster strikes, and after it has struck. There are many aspects to the way in which Shakespeare presents this relationship between these two characters. In Act One-scene 1, we first see Antony and Cleopatra together as Cleopatra challenges Antony to say how much he loves her, "if it be love indeed, tell me how much", Antony's reply, that his love is so great that it exceeds the boundaries of heaven and earth, is reinforced by his dismissal of the news from Rome. Antony uses extravagant, expansive statements to express the nature of his love. Shakespeare's use of extravagant and exaggerated figure of speech through the words of Antony, hyperbole, emphasizes the immensity of his passion. This example of Hyperbole is an example of how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, because it is through his language on this particular occasion that he expresses the love Antony has for Cleopatra. Other examples of exaggerated language that Shakespeare presents, such as Antony's heart having
The Piano
* The Piano,dir.Jane Campion.You can analyze any aspect of this film,e.g., Colonialism (both sexual and political),symbolism,depiction of Maori,Portrayal of male characters,etc. The Piano looks at social patternings of the two main male characters,Stewart and Baines,rules of behaviour in society,their usually unsuccesful attempts to live out their desires,and how each one"s identity affect the others place in the family,community and life.The Piano has powerful emotional themes resonating through it, all dealing with the release of repressed passion. Baines, one of the main male figures in the play,who has embraced the native Maori methods of living, no longer clings to the values of British society, and is therefore quite capable of expressing himself freely, which he does in some strange ways. On the other hand , Stewart views the Maori with suspicion and hostility . Baines is another settler who assists Stewart,especially in mediating between him and the indigenous Maori whose language and customs Baines has come to know and sometimes share.Stewart cannot apreciatte either the need for the piano.Campion"s use of the blasted setting for Stewart"s house,in pointed contrast to Baine"s more ecological integrated one ,depicts the tradition and the use of the landscape for symbolic as well as representational differences between the two male
Show how Shakespeare establishes the main issues of the play in the first scene of "Antony and Cleopatra"
Show how Shakespeare establishes the main issues of the play in the first scene of "Antony and Cleopatra" Shakespeare opens the play with a speech by Philo which is contemptuous and reveals a lot about the play itself: "Nay, but this dotage of our General's O'erflows the measure" Philo is referring to his "General" Mark Antony as loosing control and becoming soft headed. Philo and the Romans believe Mark Antony is foolish because he has become a hedonist who is cooling a "gypsy's lust" of course referring to Cleopatra. This is a key theme of the novel because the Romans dislike Antony's relationship with this "gypsy" because she is keeping him from his duties in Rome and the Romans do not indulge in pleasure or so it seems from the play, they are more interested in killing people on the battle fields. "Have glowed like plated Mars" those godly eyes of Antony are now full of passion for Cleopatra. Shakespeare's use of the word "glowed" is particularly intriguing because it suggests softness and the Romans think Antony is becoming soft which links with the word "dotage" in line one of the play. The word "glowed" has a long vowel sound which makes it sound even softer. The passion described here signifies Antony's feelings for Cleopatra throughout the whole play. The reference to the god "Mars" the god of war is interesting because Mark Antony himself is like a god in the
