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
Explore how Shakespeare develops the themes of duty
Explore how Shakespeare develops the themes of duty, responsibility, love and loyalty in the "Antony and Cleopatra". Throughout the play "Antony and Cleopatra", Shakespeare develops and explores the themes of duty, responsibility, love and loyalty; from the very beginning of the play Shakespeare places these themes in conflict with one another and these conflicts are embodied in the most obvious sense through Antony's rejection of the Roman Empire and its ideals for the love of Cleopatra and a far more frivolous laid back life in Egypt. And in turn these differences in ideals are conveyed to the audience in the beginning of the first act when Philo and Demetrius come to the stage and discuss Antony's "dotage" over Cleopatra and how it "O'erflows the measure." Philo laments at how Antony, once a powerful warrior, triumvir of the Roman Empire and a "triple pillar of the world" has given up all this power and become "the bellows and the fan [that] cool a gipsy's lust". The language used by Shakespeare at this point in the play helps to establish the antithetical nature of the Egyptians and the Romans; Philo describes Antony with powerful hyperboles and metaphors, evoking potent superhuman, heroic imagery as he speaks of Antony's eyes that glowed like "plated mars", passionately and verbosely referring to his "captain's heart" which was so powerful that it "burst the buckles on
Antony and Cleopatra analysis of Act one Scene one
Antony and Cleopatra analysis of Act one Scene one 'Antony and Cleopatra' by William Shakespeare is a play about a Roman General Antony and an Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. In Act one Scene one it shows how Antony puts Cleopatra in front of his army but Cleopatra just manipulates him successfully. The first part of the play is set in Alexandria. Cleopatra is a powerful woman and she knows she can get everything she wants. She loves the attention being on her, as she thinks so highly of herself. Cleopatra is experienced and manipulating but she is also captivating, 'Everything becomes her.' She uses charisma and charm to persuade people so she always gets her way. Cleopatra has good looks so she can have any man she wants. She knows that Antony is madly in love with her and he will do anything she commands. She is externally fascinating and strong minded. Antony is a General, before meeting Cleopatra he was seen has a respectful and honourable man. Since meeting Cleopatra he has forgotten about how important he is to the rest of his men. Antony has abandoned them for his true love Cleopatra and as suffered the consequences as now they no longer dote him. He has been put under Cleopatra's powerful spell. His heart is now set on a woman rather than war. He used to have a high reputation but now his own men have turned their backs on him. Antony and Cleopatra enter together.
How does Shakespeare use his contrast between Rome and Egypt to present the themes in Antony and Cleopatra ?
How does Shakespeare use his contrast between Rome and Egypt to present the themes in Antony and Cleopatra? In the play Antony and Cleopatra there are two different worlds, Rome and Egypt. Throughout Antony and Cleopatra, we see the hard-working political life of Rome and the luxurious and pleasurable life of Egypt. The effect of the difference between the two places on the main characters, and on the plot, is a key theme throughout the play. Rome is a world in which men compete for power in a high stakes game without clear rules. The eastern world of Egypt is, of course, totally different. Shakespeare's deception of sexuality in Egypt is presented as entirely natural. There is no sign of sin attached to this love unlike there would be from Rome. We can see that Shakespeare clearly wants us to be able to see the political and love side of either of these countries. The split between Rome and Egypt is very controversial as the Romans are so fascinated with Egypt that they cannot leave it alone. This could be the reason that the three greatest Romans, Antony Caesar and Pompey have all had sexual experience with the queen of Egypt. He uses the contrast in difference between the two countries very well and this makes the main themes in the production stand out. In Egypt, women talk openly about explicit sexuality, they express their sexual feelings, joke about sexual matters, and
The presentation of Rome and Egypt in the Play Antony and Cleopatra
The presentation of Rome and Egypt in the Play Antony and Cleopatra One of the foremost of themes in the play of Antony and Cleopatra alongside "tragedy" and "love" is the differences between the two "worlds" of Rome and Egypt. Throughout the play, Shakespeare frequently presents and demonstrates to the audience the reality and differences between these two "worlds" in many ways and forms. In this essay I will discuss how Shakespeare does this and how he presents it to the audience. Antony, who is the primary character in the play, portrays the ideas of the two "worlds" of Egypt and Rome very clearly. Shakespeare presents Antony as a different man when in Rome and a different one when in Egypt. Shakespeare organises the plot of Antony and Cleopatra around the theme of conflict between Rome and Egypt immediately. In the opening scene the two soldiers Philo and Demetrius discuss Antony's surrendering of his military duties to the exotic pleasures of Egypt and Cleopatra. Both Philo and Demetrius discuss the divide in world where one is governed by discipline and reason (Rome), and the other ruled by pleasure and love. Both Philo and Demetrius discuss and claim that Antony's "captain's heart" now serves as, "The bellows and the fan / to cool a gypsy's lust" This reflects their view of the world being divided into two entities. And that Egypt is ruled by a "gypsy", or in
