Antony and Cleopatra
-Taylor Henderson-
Summary:
Antony and Cleopatra is a historical account of two lovers and the price their love comes at. Mark Antony was a member of Rome's triumvirate, the three ruling members over the great empire of Rome. During Antony's travels he encountered the great queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. And as such the two began a love affair there in Egypt. Until the day Antony learned of the untimely death of his wife, and of a rising army in Pompey, Antony then choose to return to Rome to help secure his empire. But after attempts to make peace with Pompey fail, his wife dieing, and his affair with Cleopatra Antony's allegiance is called into question. To save his good standing to the triumvirate Antony takes Cesar's sister to be his wife and ensure loyalty to Rome. Soon following this union of Antony and Octavia (Cesar's sister) Cleopatra learns of the marriage and flies in an intense jealousy only to be calmed when she learns that the odds are in her favor of Antony returning to Cleopatra. During this time the triumvirate and Pompey are able to end the uprising without going to battle, but are highly disturbed when Pompey tries to have the triumvirate assassinated as they celebrate their new truce. Shortly there after the failed assassination attempt Antony and Octavia depart for Athens where Antony's generals have held a major victory in a waging war. During which time Cesar breaks the truce with Pompey and uses Lepidus troops to battle and defeat Pompey. Cesar then accuses Lepidus of treason, removes him from his place of authority, seizes his property and possessions and imprisons him. Hearing of this Antony returns to Egypt to raise a massive army to defeat Cesar. After treacherous battles both on land and sea the Egyptian armies were defeated or abandoned Antony leaving him to Cesar. After treacherous and deceiving drama between the two lovers they end up committing suicide just as Romeo and Juliet.
Main Character Analysis:
Mark Antony: Antony was one of the proud rulers of the great empire of Rome, a member of the triumvirate (a three part equal ruling system). He was a leader, honorable and integris in character and virtue. That is until he found the one thing in the world he could not withstand, a beautiful woman’s charm. He was a powerful military leader, but fell victim to the charms of a beautiful queen, and it cost him everything. Antony was if anything loyal to a fault for the things he held most dear to him, his position, his lover. He was willing to do anything including marry a stranger to save his good standing in the triumvirate. And he was willing to die for his lover as everything drew to a close. His unchallenged loyalty to the things he held dear to his heart was his great undoing. But Antony is continually battling himself in his own mind, always fighting what was with what is. Replaying his glory days and past heroism with the circumstances of his current situation and this creates unnecessary mental pressures on him. (Man v. Self)
Cleopatra : Cleopatra is seen in many regards, loved and praised by the Egyptians, hated and feared by the Romans. She is most notably known for her almost “magical powers” over men and more importantly over Antony. Cleopatra lived life as if everything was all one big play and she was the starring character. She held a great fancy for being over dramatic in everything she did.
Historical Description:
This story takes place at a golden age in Rome, at the height of the empire everything was at stake for Antony. The empire was united under the control of the three members of the triumvirate. Rome was at peace, Egypt was thriving under the rule of its Queen Cleopatra, it was inevitable for the two lovers to meet. But amidst this peace time one of the Roman leaders grew anxious for the coming days, grew tired of peace and desired to be ruler over all. Cesar plotted and schemed to take power for himself and become Rome's emperor. The world was at peace but on the brink of a coming war, Cesar saw this as his opportunity. This entire affair between Antony and Cleopatra was the perfect opportunity for Cesar to seize the moment.
Major Themes: Love; Rome v. Alexandria; Duty.
Love: love is central to the story for it is a love story, but not in the traditional sense of love stories. In this play love is always in question is always doubted. Love is never a set notion or set idea that on one can stand against, instead it is an object that can be easily crushed or defeated.
Rome v. Alexandria: in this play the battle seen in many nations through history and more so in America through the battles of east v. west. The two capital cities fight for the leadership of Rome and the roman empire. They represent two of the greatest capitals of the world, two superpowers going to battle.
Duty: duty is the driving force in almost every decision that Antony and Cleopatra make. Duty brought Antony back to Rome, duty forced Cleopatra to betray her lover. Duty was a driving force in this work.
Major Symbols:
Shape-Changing Clouds; In Act IV, Antony relates his shifting sense identity to a cloud that changes shape as it flys across an open sky. As Antony notices the clouds they appear first as a bear or lion, a fierce conqueror one with no fear nor sense of defeat, but the clouds tumble and change into soft wispy air. Antony is given the sense of this happening to him, once a great and fearless conquer, now only a wispy cloud.
Cleopatra’s Fleeing Ships: The image of Cleopatra’s fleeing ships appears twice in the play. Antony, going to battle with Caesar at sea, his navy is betrayed as the queen runs for her life. The ships show Cleopatra’s lack of nobility and character or moral obligation even to the most important person in her life. The audience is always left guessing as to where Cleopatra’s allegiance falls. The ships symbolize her fleeting feelings that sway as easily as the waves.
The Asps One of the most memorable symbols in the play.The asps are used as a prop in the queen’s final performance, much as life was a performance for her. But in the final scene Cleopatra comes to appear to be nursing the snakes just before they go to inject the toxic venom into her. This motherly and sensitive nature alludes to Cleopatra’s final metamorphosis.
Primary conflicts: Man v. Man (Antony and Caesar) Man v. Self (Antony)
Citation:
links: www.infoplease.com
http://www.shmoop.com/antony-cleopatra/themes.html
info: symbols and interpretations
used in: symbol analysis
http://www.sparknotes.com/
info: chapter context and summaries to assist in contemplation of the work.
used in: primary summary
Photo: http://www.cafleurebon.com/cafleurebon-cardamom-in-perfumery-queen-of-spices-10-niche-and-natural-perfume-prizes/
found by; Google search of Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra is a historical account of two lovers and the price their love comes at. Mark Antony was a member of Rome's triumvirate, the three ruling members over the great empire of Rome. During Antony's travels he encountered the great queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. And as such the two began a love affair there in Egypt. Until the day Antony learned of the untimely death of his wife, and of a rising army in Pompey, Antony then choose to return to Rome to help secure his empire. But after attempts to make peace with Pompey fail, his wife dieing, and his affair with Cleopatra Antony's allegiance is called into question. To save his good standing to the triumvirate Antony takes Cesar's sister to be his wife and ensure loyalty to Rome. Soon following this union of Antony and Octavia (Cesar's sister) Cleopatra learns of the marriage and flies in an intense jealousy only to be calmed when she learns that the odds are in her favor of Antony returning to Cleopatra. During this time the triumvirate and Pompey are able to end the uprising without going to battle, but are highly disturbed when Pompey tries to have the triumvirate assassinated as they celebrate their new truce. Shortly there after the failed assassination attempt Antony and Octavia depart for Athens where Antony's generals have held a major victory in a waging war. During which time Cesar breaks the truce with Pompey and uses Lepidus troops to battle and defeat Pompey. Cesar then accuses Lepidus of treason, removes him from his place of authority, seizes his property and possessions and imprisons him. Hearing of this Antony returns to Egypt to raise a massive army to defeat Cesar. After treacherous battles both on land and sea the Egyptian armies were defeated or abandoned Antony leaving him to Cesar. After treacherous and deceiving drama between the two lovers they end up committing suicide just as Romeo and Juliet.
Main Character Analysis:
Mark Antony: Antony was one of the proud rulers of the great empire of Rome, a member of the triumvirate (a three part equal ruling system). He was a leader, honorable and integris in character and virtue. That is until he found the one thing in the world he could not withstand, a beautiful woman’s charm. He was a powerful military leader, but fell victim to the charms of a beautiful queen, and it cost him everything. Antony was if anything loyal to a fault for the things he held most dear to him, his position, his lover. He was willing to do anything including marry a stranger to save his good standing in the triumvirate. And he was willing to die for his lover as everything drew to a close. His unchallenged loyalty to the things he held dear to his heart was his great undoing. But Antony is continually battling himself in his own mind, always fighting what was with what is. Replaying his glory days and past heroism with the circumstances of his current situation and this creates unnecessary mental pressures on him. (Man v. Self)
Cleopatra : Cleopatra is seen in many regards, loved and praised by the Egyptians, hated and feared by the Romans. She is most notably known for her almost “magical powers” over men and more importantly over Antony. Cleopatra lived life as if everything was all one big play and she was the starring character. She held a great fancy for being over dramatic in everything she did.
Historical Description:
This story takes place at a golden age in Rome, at the height of the empire everything was at stake for Antony. The empire was united under the control of the three members of the triumvirate. Rome was at peace, Egypt was thriving under the rule of its Queen Cleopatra, it was inevitable for the two lovers to meet. But amidst this peace time one of the Roman leaders grew anxious for the coming days, grew tired of peace and desired to be ruler over all. Cesar plotted and schemed to take power for himself and become Rome's emperor. The world was at peace but on the brink of a coming war, Cesar saw this as his opportunity. This entire affair between Antony and Cleopatra was the perfect opportunity for Cesar to seize the moment.
Major Themes: Love; Rome v. Alexandria; Duty.
Love: love is central to the story for it is a love story, but not in the traditional sense of love stories. In this play love is always in question is always doubted. Love is never a set notion or set idea that on one can stand against, instead it is an object that can be easily crushed or defeated.
Rome v. Alexandria: in this play the battle seen in many nations through history and more so in America through the battles of east v. west. The two capital cities fight for the leadership of Rome and the roman empire. They represent two of the greatest capitals of the world, two superpowers going to battle.
Duty: duty is the driving force in almost every decision that Antony and Cleopatra make. Duty brought Antony back to Rome, duty forced Cleopatra to betray her lover. Duty was a driving force in this work.
Major Symbols:
Shape-Changing Clouds; In Act IV, Antony relates his shifting sense identity to a cloud that changes shape as it flys across an open sky. As Antony notices the clouds they appear first as a bear or lion, a fierce conqueror one with no fear nor sense of defeat, but the clouds tumble and change into soft wispy air. Antony is given the sense of this happening to him, once a great and fearless conquer, now only a wispy cloud.
Cleopatra’s Fleeing Ships: The image of Cleopatra’s fleeing ships appears twice in the play. Antony, going to battle with Caesar at sea, his navy is betrayed as the queen runs for her life. The ships show Cleopatra’s lack of nobility and character or moral obligation even to the most important person in her life. The audience is always left guessing as to where Cleopatra’s allegiance falls. The ships symbolize her fleeting feelings that sway as easily as the waves.
The Asps One of the most memorable symbols in the play.The asps are used as a prop in the queen’s final performance, much as life was a performance for her. But in the final scene Cleopatra comes to appear to be nursing the snakes just before they go to inject the toxic venom into her. This motherly and sensitive nature alludes to Cleopatra’s final metamorphosis.
Primary conflicts: Man v. Man (Antony and Caesar) Man v. Self (Antony)
Citation:
links: www.infoplease.com
http://www.shmoop.com/antony-cleopatra/themes.html
info: symbols and interpretations
used in: symbol analysis
http://www.sparknotes.com/
info: chapter context and summaries to assist in contemplation of the work.
used in: primary summary
Photo: http://www.cafleurebon.com/cafleurebon-cardamom-in-perfumery-queen-of-spices-10-niche-and-natural-perfume-prizes/
found by; Google search of Antony and Cleopatra