Discuss the 'variety' of Cleopatra, and how successfully Shakespeare presents the contribution, which this makes to the dramatic impact of the play.
"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety". Discuss the 'variety' of Cleopatra, and how successfully Shakespeare presents the contribution, which this makes to the dramatic impact of the play. In this play, Shakespeare has created a uniquely fascinating character in the Egyptian Queen. Cleopatra is a very sensuously attractive woman whose past relationships with Julius Caesar and Pompey indicate that even before meeting Antony she is sexually experienced. Her 'variety', as Enobarbus indicates, has much to do with her theatrical temperament, her mood swings and highly sensual nature. She is capable of participating in vulgar jokes, feigning illness, outbursts of temper and physical violence, as well as tender expressions of love and nobility in the face of tragedy. The audience also see her behave in a cowardly way and play the diplomat. It is also not always easy to understand Cleopatra's motives or gauge her level of self-interest. Cleopatra is overall an awe-inspiring queen who leaves all audiences breathless. She may be called a "wrangling queen" and an "Egyptian dish", but such epithets alone do not do full justice to her character. In the opening scene of the play, the audiences' introduction to Cleopatra is as a "gypsy" and "strumpet". This is expressed by Philo, as very much the Roman view and Caesar agrees that: "Let's grant it is not Amiss to
To what purpose did Shakespeare create Enobarbus?
To what purpose did Shakespeare create Enobarbus? Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony's army who it seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with Antony. He is also a person who Antony confides in. For instance in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony explains who Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought". In reply to this Enobarbus speaks freely of his view of Cleopatra, even if what he says is very positive. '...her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.' Another example of his ability to speak freely is when Antony receives the news of Fulvias death Enobarbus tells Antony to 'give the gods a thankful sacrifice' in other words he is saying Fulvia's death is a good thing. Obviously, someone would never say something like this unless they were very close to one another. So Sharespeare has created this character for some one to whom Antony can confide in and to get a truthful opinion. Furthermore Enobarbus is also used to exaggerate Antony and Cleopatra's relationship. Which is done by his statements. (II.ii.) 'The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the
Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents Rome and Egypt. How are the contrasts between them reflected in the characters of ‘Antony and Cleopatra?’
"Antony and Cleopatra" is the tragic story of one of the triumvirs, Antony, who is deeply in love with the pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra, but their love seems doomed. This is due to problems in their relationship that are caused not only by these two lovers, but also by others in the two countries. In "Antony and Cleopatra," there are a number of contrasting impressions of the Egyptian and Roman cultures and society. The major differences are in the environments and the societies of both Egypt and Rome. This can be seen through the many characters in both Rome and Egypt. In Rome, the main characters consist of the triumvirs, which include Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus. There are also both Antony's and Caesar's friends and followers, the other major character being Enobarbus, a close friend of Mark Antony. Egypt is ruled by the pharaoh, Cleopatra, who has had many known relationships with powerful men. Then there are her attendants, including Charmian, Iras, and Alexus. In Rome, the general society is full of military expenditures and strategy, and this leads to a great deal of tension and many problems arise from early on in the play, and this can frustrate Antony as they intrude into his life with Cleopatra. This is evident when he says, "let Rome in Tiber melt." This proves that Antony is frustrated with his responsibilities in Rome, and is one of the causes in
Explore Shakespeare's presentation of EITHER Cleopatra OR Antony in Act three Scene thirteen. How typical is their presentation here of the rest of the play?The presentation of Cleopatra in Act three Scene thirteen
Explore Shakespeare's presentation of EITHER Cleopatra OR Antony in Act three Scene thirteen. How typical is their presentation here of the rest of the play? The presentation of Cleopatra in Act three Scene thirteen is quite ambiguous. Her presentation in the rest of the play is also very contrasting and distinct. I believe Shakespeare concentrated on demonstrating Cleopatra's personality and ambiguity to emphasise that, being the only central female in the play, it is even more surprising that she manages to act the way she does, with such an alarming range of emotions, for example forging illness for attention and accusing Antony of leaving Egypt for the wrong reasons. I think that Shakespeare wanted her character to be spontaneous, dramatic and attractive towards men so that the audience would build up very strong opinions of her, whether they are good or bad. Throughout the play so far, Cleopatra has been presented as a very confident woman who adores playing numerous tricks with Antony. By Shakespeare creating the sense that Cleopatra controls Antony through her witty actions and words, it re-enforces her role in the novel as an independent, slightly deceitful woman. (1.1.14) 'If it be love indeed, tell me how much', this displays Cleopatra's clear determination in wanting to know how she is thought of by Antony. Shakespeare presents Cleopatra like this to prove that
How does Shakespeare present the action in Act three?
How does Shakespeare present the action in Act three? The point of Act three Scene one is to show the audience the political side of Antony and Cleopatra. All of the triumvirate are worried about their reputations and this short scene suggests that they are not that generous. Shakespeare makes Scene two seem comic because Enobarbus and Agrippa mock Lepidus and say that he is Caesar and Antony's 'beetle', 'They are his shards, and he their beetle'. The way in which Shakespeare has presents Enobarbus's and Agrippa's speech, allow the audience to have a bit more background information about the main characters from a completely different, unbiased point of view. Shakespeare gets rid of Lepidus quickly and quietly. Act three Scene two is his last scene and he only speaks one line. I think Shakespeare wants to get rid of Lepidus to emphasise the action that is about to happen between Caesar and Antony and other main characters. At the end of this scene, Enobarbus begins to mock Antony. Shakespeare is making it seem as though Antony is fake and he isn't what he says he is. Scene three concentrates on Cleopatra's messenger giving Cleopatra the description of Octavia. It is a very comic scene because the messenger was 'scared out of his wits' last time he was with Cleopatra and so this time, he tells Cleopatra everything that will make her feel happy and friendly towards him. I
What do you find interesting about the way Shakespeare presents the character of either Antony or Cleopatra to an audience?
What do you find interesting about the way Shakespeare presents the character of either Antony or Cleopatra to an audience? I shall be focussing on the character of Cleopatra, because I think that out of the two major characters in the play, she is the most interesting because of the way Shakespeare portrays her. The character of Cleopatra is very unpredictable throughout the play. We see a variety of perspectives from which we see Cleopatra; this illustrates the varying understanding of her as a decadent foreign woman and a noble ruler. This shows her unique personalities in every situation that she is faced with. The obvious quality she has is that she is seen to be very over dramatic, particularly over her love for Antony. In the opening scene we observe that Cleopatra does seem to be shown the dominating one in her and Anthony's relationship as 'if it be love indeed, tell me how much'. This shows us that Cleopatra enjoys being constantly reminded of Antony's love for her, this could also mean that she is insecure of Antony's feelings for her and she needs to be told for her reassurance. Cleopatra's own words show her deception as she even pretends or seem to that she is at the mercy of words, to show that she does not mean exactly what she says. 'Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say! Both!' Here Cleopatra is deliberately being sarcastic towards the orders of
Remind yourself of Act 3: Scene 2, in which Antony and Octavia take leave of Caesar. Write a detailed exploration on the scene paying particular attention to the dramatic function of Enobarbus and Agrippa and also the words of Caesar, Antony and Octavia.
Antony and Cleopatra essay 2: Remind yourself of Act 3: Scene 2, in which Antony and Octavia take leave of Caesar. Write a detailed exploration on the scene paying particular attention to the dramatic function of Enobarbus and Agrippa and also the words of Caesar, Antony and Octavia. When we look at Act 3: Scene 2, we can see that it is in an important and prominent place in the play. It is a continuation from the drunken scene on Pompey's boat and here, we see the characters in a very different view: sober and distressed. The scene starts with lesser characters, as it does in many of the scenes in this play. This is a common convention of Shakespeare's to prepare us for the entrance of the more important characters and to give us a different view. To understand this use more, I will study the text in more detail. The beginning is very different to the main part of this scene. We see, which is usual from Shakespeare, Enobarbus and Agrippa: the lesser characters. They start the scene in a high-spirited tone and humorous tone. They are conversing about the members of the triumvirate, particularly Lepidus. These two characters think that Lepidus is the weakest member of the triumvirate, and that he only takes the orders of Antony and Caesar, instead of proposing his own ideas: " 'Tis a noble Lepidus." They make fun of him and tell each other of how they think he would do
How Shakespeare presents the character of Cleopatra in" Anthony and Cleopatra" The play of "Anthony and Cleopatra" is that of one many tragedies
How Shakespeare presents the character of Cleopatra in" Anthony and Cleopatra" The play of "Anthony and Cleopatra" is that of one many tragedies, of which William Shakespeare famously wrote and crafted. In "Anthony and Cleopatra" Shakespeare explores the themes of love, politics and betrayal. Central to the play are dominant male figures such as Mark Anthony and the mighty Caesar Octavius. The Play centres mostly on Mark Anthony's divided love for Rome and for Cleopatra. Ironically enough, it is Cleopatra; the only dominant female in the play that maintains all power and control. Especially over Mark Anthony with Caesar Octavius at times seeming subjectable to her charms. This strange imbalance of power between Masculine brute power and Subtle feminine wiliness seems therefore somewhat of a strange anomaly in the chauvinistic society in which the play is set. In this essay I shall attempt to explore this fascinating power that Cleopatra seems to possess, how she harnesses it and how it perhaps contributes to her death. First and lasting impressions of Cleopatra are mainly centered around her extraordinary beauty. This is most notably displayed in Enobarbus's speech (Act 2, scene 2). The trance - like beauty of the scene seems to enhance the queen's superiority, as she is the epicentre of all attention. Enobarbus's speech is riddled with examples of hyperbole, exaggeration
In Shakespeare's tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers.
In Shakespeare's tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers. In the first two Acts of the play we are introduced to some of the problems and dilemmas facing the couple (such as the fact that they are entwined in an adulterous relationship, and that both of them are forced to show their devotion to Caesar). Along with being introduced to Antony and Cleopatra's strange love affair, we are introduced to some interesting secondary characters. One of these characters is Enobarbus. Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony's army who it seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with Antony, and often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. We see Antony confiding in Enobarbus in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony explains how Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought" (I.ii.146). In reply to this Enobarbus speaks very freely of his view of Cleopatra, even if what he says is very positive: ...her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. (I, ii, 147-152) After Antony reveals that he has just heard news of his
Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra In Shakespeare's tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers. In the first two Acts of the play we are introduced to some of the problems and dilemmas facing the couple (such as the fact that they are entwined in an adulterous relationship, and that both of them are forced to show their devotion to Caesar). Along with being introduced to Antony and Cleopatra's strange love affair, we are introduced to some interesting secondary characters. One of these characters is Enobarbus. Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony's army who it seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with Antony, and often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. We see Antony confiding in Enobarbus in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony explains how Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought" (I.ii.146). In reply to this Enobarbus speaks very freely of his view of Cleopatra, even if what he says is very positive: ...her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. After Antony