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
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
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
Cleopatra's credibility as a bewitching and paradoxical, "Royal Wench," relies heavily on Shakespeare's deliberate structure and use of language In Act 2 Scene 2?
Cleopatra's credibility as a bewitching and paradoxical, "Royal Wench," relies heavily on Shakespeare's deliberate structure and use of language In Act 2 Scene 2? In this scene Cleopatra is portrayed as a very bewitching and seductive woman. The just and unbiased Roman, Enobarbus, the truth teller of the play explains, to two followers of Caesar, his thoughts and feelings regarding Cleopatra. Enobarbus begins by telling us "the barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the water." Shakespeare immediately uses language that enlightens us about Cleopatra's personality and figure. He uses this metaphor to tell us that Cleopatra is so seductive and fiery that she sets barges on fire with her amazingly seductive looks and unlimited lust. This action of water being on fire is transcending the impossible; this could be a reference to Cleopatra's capability to surpass the impossible, that she is such a woman that could do this. It is also a paradoxical statement, linking to Cleopatra's paradoxical and contradictory personality. The concept that an individual can be paradoxical implies a supernatural character. A physical depiction of this paradox is shown in this quotation. Enobarbus then goes on to use a lot of colour in his speech. For example, "purple," "silver," and "gold" are all very deep, royal and rich colours, adding to her sensuality. Gold and Silver are two
How does Enobarbus convey the appeal of Cleopatra
How does Enobarbus convey the appeal of Cleopatra? As a dedicated follower of Antony, Enobarbus has great respect for Cleopatra and unlike others in the play who only see that Cleopatra is corrupting Antony, he understands Cleopatra's attraction. He uses imagery, language and description to convey Cleopatra's appeal. The first thing the audience notices in Enobarbus's description is that he never describes Cleopatra herself; only describes her surroundings. This may be because Enobarbus feels that it is not his place, as a friend and follower of Antony, to talk about Cleopatra so intimately and in such detail. However, Enobarbus's beautiful descriptions of her surroundings create the illusion that she must be as beautiful as them and all his descriptions have deeper meanings, which often relate to descriptions of Cleopatra. For example: ' The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the water;' This is very artistic language and the word 'burnished' gives imagery of bronze and red colours, possibly suggesting that Enobarbus thinks of Cleopatra as being art herself. The quotation also creates an image of
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
The struggle in Antony's mind.
The struggle in Antony's mind The opening scene it was very much Egypt heavy with Antony "pleasure"-seeking despite of all the problems in Rome and it is Cleopatra who urges him to act upon "Caesar's dismission." By opening the scene like this, the audience has a clear grasp on Antony's "lust" for Cleopatra so that they will be alert to changes in his attitude. By the end of scene two his mind is clearly suffused with roman thoughts, telling himself that Cleopatra "is cunning past man's thought." So already we are introduced or hinted of Antony's squitzofrenic character in both love and fighting behaviour where at times, the two seems to influence eachother. We are introduced to the problems Antony endorses in his love life where due to Fulvia rebelling against Caesar he is frightened that Cleopatra may "rail him in Fulvia's phrase." Upon hearing of his wife's death, his true thoughts on fulvia is revealed, again expressing a fickle opinion on her death, he "wished" this "great spirit gone" but now "desires to "pluck her back.." The tugging in his mind is further reinforced by the roman thoughts he has towards Cleopatra. He strives to "break-off" the "strong Egyptian fetters" the "enchanting queen" pocesses as "she is cunning past man's thought." Enobarbus, who knows Antony well compares Fulvia's death as a "tailer" where she is the "old-smock" and Cleopatra the
How does Shakespeare make the audience aware of Cleopatra's 'infinite variety' in the opening act and maintain this impression throughout the play?
How does Shakespeare make the audience aware of Cleopatra's 'infinite variety' in the opening act and maintain this impression throughout the play? Cleopatra was a talented mistress who used her feminine charm for personal gain. She was seductive, lustful, flirtatious, and sarcastic, she had courage, and she was jealous, spiteful, very violent and impatient. She was a woman of many contrasts, facets and changing moods. Shakespeare shows these different aspects of her character in the first act then goes on to build on them throughout the play. In the opening scene straight away we enter into Philo and Demetrius' - friends of Antony - conversation, the subject of which is Cleopatra, Philo is not speaking very highly of her saying she has, '. . .a tawny front. . .' suggesting she is dark-skinned but he is doing so in an uncomplimentary way. In the same conversation he calls Cleopatra a 'gipsy' meaning a loose woman; this straight away gives us the impression that Cleopatra isn't very popular with the friends of Antony. Cleopatra and Antony then enter, we see Cleopatra being flirtatious as soon as she appears on the stage, 'If it be love indeed tell me how much you love me' Antony replies, 'There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd'. Here, Antony is saying that the love that can be exactly estimated must be a poor one. Cleopatra still replies with, 'I'll set a bourn how
It is said of Enobarbus that he understands everyone but himself. Do you agree?
It is said of Enobarbus that he understands everyone but himself. Do you agree? Enobarbus, Antony's most loyal supporter, is worldly and cynical; Enobarbus is friendly with the subordinates of both Pompey and Caesar, yet stays faithful to his master even after Antony makes grave political and military missteps. The fact that he is worldly and cynical could mean that he is quick to criticise and speak about others but what does Enobarbus know about himself? Being Antony's most loyal supporter Enobarbus shows not resistance or fear to be able to speak freely, mainly in private, with Antony, and often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. This is demonstrated 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 describing that '...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). This quotation, spoken by Enobarbus, is showing that he has no fear in talking about people who are considerably more superior to himself. It is also showing that he not only has a rough understanding of Cleopatra but a detailed one, as he