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
While Mark Antony is a great general, one of the three triumvant, it is indeed impossible to feel sympathy for him in his extreme "dotage" for Cleopatra
While Mark Antony is a great general, one of the three triumvant, it is indeed impossible to feel sympathy for him in his extreme "dotage" for Cleopatra. He "fishes, drinks and wastes the lamps of night in revel", hence destroying his own reputation, and even losing his masculinity, and thus, respect. In the opening scene of the play, even before Antony appears, he is constituted by the ideological structure of the Roman world. Antony's identity is discussed to be in a state of oscillation: "This dotage of our general's o'erflows the measure." The "measure" spoken of here refers to a limit that describes the proper standard of Roman identity. Deviation from this identity is what alarms the Roman audience (I.e. Philo and Demetrius). Right from the start, in Philo's opening speech, we learn that Antony's heart refuses all self-restraint. His desire is excessive, producing a transformation from a "pillar of the world" -- a firm bearer of the Roman senate, likened to "Mars", god of war, clad in armour -- "into a strumpet's fool." Antony insists that the measure of his reputation defines his very identity: "If I lose mine honour, I lose myself". Yet as Demetrius and Philo speak from within the ideological structure, they cast a censorious look at Antony "Take but good note...Behold and see". Taking "note" might mean to make a written record; transliterating reputation according
Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra.
However, as Act 1 progresses, arguments between the pair become much more frequent and it becomes obvious their relationship is not always a happy one. The topic of Antony's wife, Fulvia, causes much disruption between the pair, and following news of her death in Scene 2, Cleopatra still finds it hard to believe that Antony truly loves her, and is slightly hostile toward him. At one point she says "O, my oblivion is a very Antony", suggesting she is extremely insecure. Examples of this throughout the act suggest that Cleopatra is very fragile, especially when Antony is concerned. Antony's behaviour suggests he is a very unsure person, who is constantly two-minded about what he should be doing. Part of the reason for this is his split in loyalty; he would ask himself the question of where his priority lies, with Cleopatra, the woman he says he loves, or with his Pietus, his loyalty to Rome. The split is revealed during his oxymoron, after he hears of Fulvia's death during Scene 2, in which he states "I must from this enchanting queen break off", showing that while he never shows it to the other characters, he does feel a need to fulfil his duty in Rome. Both Antony and Cleopatra's relationship with other characters in Act 1 give an insight into their personalities and lives. Cleopatra will go from being nice to her servants and eunuchs to being cruel to them in an extremely
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
Contrast and how it is used to heighten differences in Antony and Cleopatra.
Contrast and how it is used to heighten differences in Antony and Cleopatra. Antony and Cleopatra is a stage play written by William Shakespeare in the 17th Century. The plot of Antony and Cleopatra is centred round the struggle between East and West, which is not only between two geographically distinct empires but also between two diametrically opposed views. Shakespeare used all his literary tools to transform this historic story to a comedic tragedy. Shakespeare, when writing the opening scene, was very aware that he had to capture the audience's attention and interest. He opens with a Roman point of view "Nay, but this dotage of our general's overflows the measure," although the play is set in Alexandria, Egypt. This is the first contrast used to capture the audience's attention because they will be curious to why a roman soldier would be in Egypt. The audience is then shown throughout the play the opposition between the conquering West, standing for moral and political virtue, and the conquering East representing luxury and decadence. The structure of Antony and Cleopatra is comprised of opposites. There is a marked contrast between the Roman scenes that are full of information and political strategies and the Egyptian ones that contain elements of self-expression and the pursuit of pleasure. Shakespeare's play shifts between these two opposites, constantly
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
In Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, why is Cleopatra such an enduring figure?
In Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, why is Cleopatra such an enduring figure? 'The Life of Marcus Antonius,' written by Plutarch, was the source used by Shakespeare to create the play of Antony and Cleopatra. Plutarch was a Greek, writing in the first century, and his work on 'The life of Marcus Antonius' was a reflection of the similar lives of the Greeks and Romans. He hints that, although he had accepted Rome as the ruler of Greece, he insisted Greece being a more sophisticated culture of the two. Reasons were because Plutarch gave his characters positive and negative attributes, emphasising more on their way of thinking, rather than their nationality. In doing this, Plutarch is seen to be able to be a fairer judge of character, as his eyes aren't hindered by a different culture or race. Using Plutarch's work, other writers were able to use his work, and were able to create more characters, in order to emphasise Cleopatra's influence and make her more dramatic in her actions. Shakespeare being no exception, as his version of Antony and Cleopatra shows these modifications, as his alterations made Plutarchs work more acceptable, in modern English. Cleopatra seems to be such an enduring figure in her sexual nature. This sexual nature causes people around her to be almost dazed, such as is seen in Antony. He is part of the Triumvirate - one of three pillars, which
What does scene 5 reveal to you about the character of Cleopatra?
What does scene 5 reveal to you about the character of Cleopatra? Cleopatra has many sides to her personality, which are brought out by her moods and who she is speaking too. In this essay I will be looking at how Cleopatra treats her friends and servants, how she is coping with Antony being gone, how people react to her and also a close look at the language she uses. At the beginning of the scene Cleopatra speaks with Mardian, her official singing eunuch. She loves to tease Mardian about how he cannot please her, and in return he plays up to be this 'faulty' person, which is expected of him. Mardian, unlike Antony, is a man she can control due to him being castrated. She complements him on this, ''Tis well for thee That, being unseminared, they freer thoughts may not fly fourth of Egypt' here she could be saying two things to Mardian, firstly that he is lucky to be free of the sexual longings that make her want to be with Antony, but also that it's lucky for him being a eunuch, that he does not think of leaving Egypt (like Antony has) - this shows a quite threatening violent side to Cleopatra where as before she was actually being quite kind as she complemented Mardian. This is a clear indicator of how Cleopatra has so many different sides to her that sometimes you do not know how her words are meant to be read, is she being kind or threatening? Her relationship with
Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" I.i-II.iv
Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" I.i.1-II.vi.65 Antony, one third of the triumvirate, the leaders of the Roman Empire, is a skilful and powerful general, in love with Cleopatra, who constantly mocks Antony, leading to a joke power struggle in the opening scenes of the play. Despite originally being known as a powerful and respected leader, certain members of Antony's company, like Philo, believe that he is wasting his time in Egypt with Cleopatra, and that Antony is not doing his duty as a member of the triumvirate: Philo: Nay, but this dotage of our general's O'er flows the measure. Those his goodly eyes, ... now bend, now turn The office and devotion of their view Upon a tawny front. His captain's heart... Reneges all temper And is become the bellows and the fan To cool a gypsy's lust. Take but good note, and you shall see him The triple pillar of the world transformed Into a strumpet's fool. (I.ii.1-14) Philo means that, since being in Egypt with Cleopatra (the "tawny front" and "strumpet") Antony's solider persona has become weakened, and he now lives to be a plaything for Cleopatra. The "triple pillar of the world" means that he is a member of the ruling triumvirate, and this insinuates that Antony is not doing his job properly, or does not care about Rome. This is confirmed a few lines later, twice by Antony himself: Messenger: News, my good
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
