Essay on Antony and Cleopatra - 1655 Words

As a onetime outpost of Rome, England was greatly influenced by Roman genealogy-ancestors that were god-like (Mars), superhuman (Hercules), fearless warriors (Pompey) who flourished in a patriarchal society (ancient 4). I would like to discuss how Shakespeare uses these characteristics in his Roman tragedy Antony and Cleopatra, as a means to express sixteenth century Englands cultural upheavals, one of which was the transformation of masculinity defined in terms of power to masculinity rooted in humanism. Traditionally, the monarch of a country is the head of the nobility(Giddens 2) and skilled in weaponry so as to fight side by side with his soldiers. Queen Elizabeth shattered this tradition with her femininity and physical†¦show more content†¦Pompey is strong at sea, And it appears he is beloved of those That only have feared Caesar. To the ports The discontents repair, and mens reports Give him much wronged. (1.4.34-40) This passage speaks of important activity all of which deals with the power that comes from Caesars past exploits and the current campaign in which Pompey equals Caesars achievement of honor. Compare this to the conversation Caesar and Lepidus have about Antonys change in character. Our great competitor. From Alexandria This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there A man who is the abstract of all faults That all men follow. (1.4.3) From Bacons perspective, as well as Caesars, Antonys behavior is slothful and is viewed as stripping him of his manly honour. His manners have slid from those of a powerful military leader to those of a drunk. His masculinity is described as equal to Cleopatras femininity. He deserves this criticism because he chooses to retreat from war in favour of sensual pleasure. Although he is a Roman warrior, he realizes that it is the activity of life, not war, that he yearns to explore. Encased in the mold of Roman virtus, i.e. courage and leadership, is a place ofShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares Presentation of Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra2014 Words   |  9 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Presentation of Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra 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 Cleopatras 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 Read MoreAntony And Cleopatra Relationship Essay1088 Words   |  5 PagesThe relationship between Antony and Cleopatra is something we can only speculate about after analysing the writings from ancient history. The main written accounts of the couple come primarily from Roman writers, therefore are largely based on the cultural, political and possibly personal beliefs of the individuals who wrote them. 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TheRead More William Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra Essay2216 Words   |  9 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra is aptly named, not just because the play centers around these two characters, but also because it encompasses the play’s fixation on the lovers’ oppositional relationship. On the surface level, Antony embodies the Roman ideals of a good, noble man, while Cleopatra represents the hyper-sexualized, dangerous Eastern woman. However, upon further examination both Antony and Cleopatra display complicated internal conflictsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra Essay1600 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra In the play Antony and Cleopatra, the character of Cleopatra is one of many dimensions and be seen a person of complex diversity. Her personality is mainly about taking life as one big celebration most of her timeRead MoreThe Central Concerns of the Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare1427 Words   |  6 PagesThe Central Concerns of the Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare This essay will look at two of the central concerns in Antony and Cleopatra, namely reason versus passion and the public versus private domains. These two central concerns of the play are clearly illustrated in the extract we are provided with. I will mainly focus on the character of Antony in this essay as it is within him that these two concerns of the play are most evident. In the beginningRead MoreThe Selfishness of Human Nature in Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra627 Words   |  3 PagesThroughout the play of â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra† Shakespeare focuses on the selfishness of human nature, particularly on the interactions of Antony and Cleopatra. Antony infatuated by his romance with Cleopatra, disregards his duty in the Roman Empire as well as his loyal followers to chase after his flame. Cleopatra pursues Antony’s love despite he is married, and only cares about the status of their relationship. She even fakes her death so that Antony declares his affections for her, disregardingRead MoreThe Presentation of Rome and Egypt in the Play Antony and Cleopatra793 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Play Antony and Cleopatra One of the foremost of themes in the play of Antony and Cleopatra alongside â€Å"tragedy† and â€Å"love† is the differences between the two â€Å"worlds† of Rome and Egypt. Throughout the play, Shakespeare frequently presents and demonstrates to the audience the reality and differences between these two â€Å"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