Antony is often talked of as a tragic hero, a great and admiral man but fatally flawed - Discuss this in relation to the first three acts.
Antony is often talked of as a tragic hero, a great and admiral man but fatally flawed. Discuss this in relation to the first three acts. Antony's fatal flaws are what make him such a brilliant tragic hero. Through the way Antony is talked about, the audience learns just how great and admirable he is. Through the first three acts, the audience sees just how flawed Antony is. The audience observe immediately that Antony has one huge flaw, Cleopatra. Straight away the audience finds this as in Philo's speech he says "But this dotage of our general's O'erflows the measure." This is saying that Antony loves and dotes on Cleopatra an amazing amount which Philo doesn't agree with as he is saying it is too much. The audience also sees just how much of a flaw Cleopatra is when she tells Antony to listen to the messenger and he replies "Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the Wide arch of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space." Here he is saying let my country fail and fall apart I don't care I just want to be with Cleopatra here in Egypt. Later on in the same act, Caesar is telling Lepidus all of Antony's flaws. He says "Yet must Antony no way excuse His foils when we do bear so great Weight in his lightness." This is Caesar saying that Antony is taking advantage of Caesar and Lepidus because whilst Antony is away in Egypt, all of his duties and responsibilities
Antony and Cleopatra - Act one scene one in structure and imagery is a microcosm of the play - Examine this scene in detail assessing what clues there are about the future.
Chloë Morris Antony and Cleopatra English Literature Act one scene one in structure and imagery is a microcosm of the play. Examine this scene in detail assessing what clues there are about the future. Act one scene one of 'Antony and Cleopatra' is a microcosm of the whole play, it miniaturises the fundamental themes from the play and sets the atmosphere and tone for the rest of the play. It gives a general idea of the characters personalities, their relationship with each other and possible future plots. The first scene is opened by Philo, a fellow Roman soldier and colleague of Antony's, the fact that he begins the whole play criticising Cleopatra and her country creates a bias view of her before she has even entered the scene. This is true of the whole play and even the scenes set in Egypt are greatly influenced by Roman perspective, as is the way Cleopatra is portrayed to the audience casting aspersions about the relationship which is being represented as doomed from the start. Antony's dilemma is constantly nagging in the back of his mind and he is continually reminded of his predicament by the invariable intrusion from his roman contemporaries, this is evident in this first scene and right the way through the play. The language used by Philo describes Rome and Egypt very contrastingly again generating a negative reflection of Egypt. "And is become the bellows
Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Mark Antony in Act1 of Antony and Cleopatra
Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Mark Antony in Act 1 of Antony and Cleopatra The setting of the play Antony and Cleopatra is introduced with a world that is ruled by the Romans due to their final break-through of conquering Egypt. Rome is a place where order is the main factor of importance whilst Egypt is a country of culture, art and riches. The difference between these two cultures is an exact parallel between Elizabethan and modern time where Shakespeare portrays the nostalgia for the old conventions of the Elizabethan times. The earth is supported by three pillars also known as the triumvirate. The triumvirate is a group of three male leaders that rule the earth consisting of Mark Antony, Lepidus and Octavius Caesar. Antony, through recognition of his history, has already been established as a character of power and intelligence. Antony, being classified as an orator, used his skills in speech to receive the crowd's support 'friends, countrymen, lend me your ears' and successfully succeeded in persuading the crowd to conspire against Brutus. Antony is therefore also seen as a hero because he was able to kill Brutus, the murderer of Julius Caesar. Although Shakespeare portrays Antony as a powerful man, it can be argued that Shakespeare also establishes Antony's flaw in character which is his love for Cleopatra. Shakespeare presents Antony through the use of
Write a concise account of the history of the Lutheran passion up to Bach's Matthew Passion. Were all the developments improvements?
Write a concise account of the history of the Lutheran passion up to Bach's Matthew Passion. Were all the developments improvements? Passion music, i.e. the setting of the Passion of Christ to music for performance during Holy Week, has been a tradition for centuries. It has gone through many changes, the most dramatic of which occurred during and after the Reformation in Germany. These are called Lutheran Passions, because they are most influenced by the style and theology of Martin Luther and the composers were usually writing for the Lutheran Church in Germany. I would like to discuss the developments that occurred and explain what I think and whether or not they were improvements. Overall I think the changes to the style were positive, and necessary for the survival and popularity of the genre. The performance of the Passion dates back to the very early church; the dramatic spoken recital of gospels in church can be traced back to the fourth century. The performance of sung passions was established by the twelfth century, where 3 clergy members sang; the narrator was a tenor, Christ a bass and the crowd were represented by an alto. In the Middle Ages, some simple choral participation was added as the crowd part and it became the Responsorial Passion. The motet, another type of passion, was the product of the Renaissance, and the 17th Century brought the Oratorio Passion
Antony and Cleopatra
Cleopatra is not at a disadvantage in a male dominated world. To what extent do you think Shakespeare elevates Cleopatra over the other characters in the play. Cleopatra is Shakespeare's greatest invention; a masterpiece full of colour and vitality. All of Shakespeare's female characters provide vivid contrast to Cleopatra. Juliet, the young naïve girl and Lady Macbeth the powerful figure, are no match for the engaging and intoxicating Cleopatra. Juliet and Lady Macbeth seem to affect little control over their destiny but Cleopatra clearly asserts power over her own fate. She is so much the consummate actress that it is extremely difficult to define her true personality from the façade she adopts. She is a dominant and sensual character who is as ever-changing as the Nile running through Egypt. No single incident in the play could encapsulate Cleopatra's 'infinite variety.' Cleopatra personifies the elusiveness- the enigma which generates desire. In her, Shakespeare presents 'the mystery of woman, sensuality and the exploration of the hidden energies of life.' Instead of being thwarted by her gender, Cleopatra uses her femininity to dominate not only other females, but also male protagonists. We are first introduced to Cleopatra at the beginning of the play through two Roman soldiers as they derogatory label her a 'gypsy' and a 'strumpet.' Cleopatra is felt to
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
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
"In 'Antony and Cleopatra', Shakespeare is particularly interested in the psychological burdens that those in positions of power must endure". Examine the different representations of leadership in the play.
"In 'Antony and Cleopatra', Shakespeare is particularly interested in the psychological burdens that those in positions of power must endure". Examine the different representations of leadership in the play. As is often true of the study of history in general, the people who dominate Shakespeare's historical plays are those in positions of power and authority. This is simply because such people will be the ones to effect history in the most significant way. In 'Antony and Cleopatra' we see several different leadership figures, who show all of the range of burdens, strains and qualities that those in positions of power can have (such as Antony himself, Cleopatra, Caesar, Lepidus and Pompey). In terms of leadership, Classical Renaissance ideas can be very helpful when trying to approach Antony and Cleopatra for the first time. The traditional idea of heroism and leadership was summed up in the quality known as 'virtus', which describes the characteristics of a virile nature, military strength, and old ideas of chivalry and honour. Renaissance artists such as Machiavelli in 'The Prince', modified this to emphasise calm ruthlessness and intellectual power. As we shall see, these two opposing views of what a leader should be (the traditional and renaissance ideals) are reflected in the struggle between Antony and Caesar. Antony, representing the old 'virus' values, is defeated and
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 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
