What is the significance of Act four scene eight?
What is the significance of Act four scene eight? Just like before in the play the audience thought that Anthony was down and out. Some of his men had deserted him "that has this morning left thee" and gone to join with his enemy. Even his best friend Enobarbus had left his side "call for Enobarbus, he shall not hear thee" "he is with Caesar" and all odds were against him for winning the war. An Act that began with a defeated Anthony it was expected that it would be his last fight and that he would die in the arms of Cleopatra. In a memorable scene before the great battle Cleopatra had helped Anthony put on his armour and had watched him go "forth gallantly". Anthony had fought as her soldier and her lover, for him all that Rome and Egypt mean to him reunite as if to wish him good-bye before he dies. However, against all odds he manages to defeat Caesar and "beat him back to his camp". Anthony here uses very monosyllabic language, which reflects on newfound unity of self. This is a moment of triumph and glory for Anthony it is also a high point for the audience. Although this is supposed to be Anthony's big moment, he is supposed to bask in glory, his first thoughts are of Cleopatra "Let the queen know of our gests". He wants to let his "Queen" know of his achievements so that she is not to worry. At this point in the play Anthony would be played with great excitement. He
Antony and Cleopatra Summary.
Antony and Cleopatra Summary Mark Antony one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, spends his time in Egypt, living a life of decadence and conducting an affair with the country's beautiful queen, Cleopatra. When a message arrives informing him that his wife, Fulvia, is dead and that Pompey is raising an army to rebel against the triumvirate, Antony decides to return to Rome. In Antony's absence, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, his fellow triumvirs, worry about Pompey's increasing strength. Caesar condemns Antony for neglecting his duties as a statesman and military officer in order to live a decadent life by Cleopatra's side. The news of his wife's death and imminent battle pricks Antony's sense of duty, and he feels compelled to return to Rome. Upon his arrival, he and Caesar quarrel, while Lepidus ineffectually tries to make peace. Realizing that an alliance is necessary to defeat Pompey, Antony and Caesar agree that Antony will marry Caesar's sister, Octavia, who will solidify their loyalty to one another. Enobarbus, Antony's closest friend, predicts to Caesar's men that, despite the marriage, Antony will surely return to Cleopatra. In Egypt, Cleopatra learns of Antony's marriage and flies into a jealous rage. However, when a messenger delivers word that Octavia is plain and unimpressive, Cleopatra becomes confident that she will win Antony back. The triumvirs meet
What is Lost and what is Gained by Antony in the Play
What is Lost and what is Gained by Antony in the Play Throughout the play Antony finds himself torn between the Rome of his duty and the Alexandria of his pleasure. He does not know whether to give in to his personal pleasures or maintain his status and fulfil his obligations to the state of Rome. He plays into Cleopatra's hands, who takes over his better judgement turning him from the "Demi-Atlas of this world" to a "strumpet's fool". Even Caesar complemented Antony on how great a soldier he was, "Was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek so much as lanked not." There is also a great clash between the East and West. The Romans are angry towards the East (mainly at Cleopatra) for taking away one of their greatest leaders and generals. They think of Cleopatra merely as a whore with a flair for drama (In the first scene Philo, who symbolically represents the Romans, calls Cleopatra a "Strumpet"). But to view Cleopatra in such a way would be wrong because this is only how the Romans portray her to be. The play is also based upon the ideas of politics, such as when Caesar's sister, Octavia marries Antony so that Caesar and Antony would return to good terms again. It would also show the Roman public that Antony had forgotten about his love affair with Cleopatra and had returned to Rome for good. But when Antony returns to Egypt and Octavia comes back to Caesar her quiet
What is the Role Of Enobarbus In This Play?
What is the Role Of Enobarbus In This Play? Enobarbus being the fabricated character in the play has a large importance in the play. Enobarbus is a very high-ranking officer in Antony's army, and acts as, in effect, his right hand man. Enobarbus is very close to Antony as he is allowed to speak freely in his presence, such as in act 1 scene 2 when Antony tells Enobarbus that Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought". This seems to be a conversation that two friends would have if one of them was having woman troubles. Another example of close comradeship between them is how after he learns of Antony's wife Fulvia's death, he says "give the gods a thankful sacrifice", meaning this is a good thing for Antony. Obviously not just anybody would be able to get away with saying something like that to his leader. This also means that Antony trusts Enobarbus's judgement although he doesn't always listen to what he has to say. It seems that one of the main purposes of Enobarbus in the play is to exaggerate the lives and relationship of Antony and Cleopatra. The 'barge speech' in scene 2 in Act 2 is perhaps one of the most famous speeches in all Shakespeare plays and is deservedly so. This is because of its effect on the play. Up until this time in the play we can only guess at the mythic qualities that have put Antony and Cleopatra into power. In this speech we see the mythic qualities
By close analysis of the passage (Line 200-250), explain what this adds to our understanding of Cleopatra and how she holds power over Antony
By close analysis of the passage (Line 200-250), explain what this adds to our understanding of Cleopatra and how she holds power over Antony. At this point in the play, Shakespeare has previously established the character of Cleopatra, as well as the nature of her relationship with Antony. She is portrayed as possessive, commanding and dramatic. Her own emotions are of supreme importance to her, and she has a violent temper. The relationship between Antony and Cleopatra appears as though there is an imbalance of power, Cleopatra maintaining the more dominant role. Her influence over men is notorious in the play, as her previous relationships with powerful men such as Julius Caesar are frequently mentioned. When the Triumvirate exit a conversation emerges between Enobarbus and Agrippa, two loyal followers of Antony and Caesar. Enobarbus tells Agrippa of the life they lived in Egypt and describes the first meeting of Antony and Cleopatra. He says that she "pursed up his heart", which is a reference to her power, as "pursed" suggests that she was in control, seducing him. As he describes the boat she was in on the day they met, Enobarbus' language gives connotations of wealth and extremity. He portrays the boat as a "burnish'd throne", that "the poop was beaten gold" and "the oars were silver". Along with references to her "cloth-of-gold", we can see her personality
Enobarbus's famous speech clearly shows an admiring opinion of Cleopatra from a Roman perspective. He begins by intensely describing 'the barge she sat in' had 'burned on the water
'How does this contribute to your view of Cleopatra?' In the course of your answer look closely at the language, imagery and tone of the passage, also comment on what it suggests about Cleopatra and Egypt. This passage paints a very vivid image of the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra. Shakespeare uses a great deal of hyperbolic imagery and exaggerated language to achieve this. The tone of Enobarbus seems quite excited and eager; it's clear that he feels comfortable describing his antics in Egypt and the beauty of its enchanting queen. Enobarbus's famous speech clearly shows an admiring opinion of Cleopatra from a Roman perspective. He begins by intensely describing 'the barge she sat in' had 'burned on the water.' This cosmic imagery of the barge reveals to us that it was so captivating it overrides the known fact that water extinguishes fire; Enobarbus is exclaiming that the burning barge is so powerful it reverses the role of the elements. I think this could also symbolise Cleopatra's personality. The elements are also perceived to be in awe of Cleopatra as well as 'her people', and clearly Enobarbus; 'the winds were lovesick' 'the water which they beat... amorous of their strokes.' Shakespeare has personified nature to show that Cleopatra is so captivating and magnificent the elements have fallen for her instantly, much like 'when she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his
Antony and Cleopatra Scene summary Act 3.
Antony and Cleopatra Scene summary Act3 scene 4 Location- Athens At act 3 scene 1 line 36 we learn that Antony intends to go to Athens and at act3 scene 6 line 65 Octavia believes he is still there. According to Plutarch Antony was in Tarentum when Octavia spoke the words given to her in line 12-20 but Shakespeare in this scene departs from Plutarch who reports that she sent them not to Antony but to Caesar, the dramatist presumably wanted to avoid giving Octavia to similar scenes with her brother and decided to give her one with Antony and one with Caesar act 3 scene 6. As a result this present scene prepares the audience for her meeting with her brother in act 3 scene 6, it shows the rift between Antony and Caesar starting to develop rapidly, much more rapidly than in historical fact. Enobarbuses prediction at the end of act 2 scene 6 is now proving correct. Act 3 scene 5 Location Alexandria Several historical events are compressed into the scene including Caesars dismissal of Lepidus from the triumvirate, and the murder of Pompey lines 18-19. The roman world is now divided between Caesar and Antony who are coming closer to outright conflict 13-15, 19-20. Act 3 scene 6 Location- Rome In this scene Shakespeare again closely follows Plutarch, who describes how Antonys arrogance and contempt for the Roman people gradually aroused their hostility towards him.
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
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 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