Abstract Shakespeare wrote 'Antony and Cleopatra' towards the end of his career, around 1600. Some scholars support that its historical nature has more to do with Shakespeare's own time than with the Roman era in which it is set (McJannet). These scholars claim Shakespeare is reconstructing English or Roman history from the perspective of his own historical moment.
From the Paper "But the hero who has distinguished himself, what shall be done to him? In the first place, he shall receive honour in the army from his youthful comrades; every one of them in succession shall crown him. What do you say? (Plato 195). Shakespeare wrote Antony and Cleopatra toward the end of his career, around 1600-1607 ("William Shakespeare (1564-1616)"; "Shakespeare Timeline"), and some scholars support that its historical nature has more to do with Shakespeare's own time than with the Roman era in which it is set (McJannet)."
Abstract This paper illustrates how, in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra", a climax is reached within the ancient Greek themes of creation and destruction that mirrors the distinctions between love and war, and the explicit and implicit communication of love to oneself and another, seen in the play's rendition of male and female love. The writer argues that "Antony and Cleopatra" offers a Christian-mystic-community-pagan parallelism centered around more ancient themes, and that, in the play, fate is in constant countermotion with freedom, which tragically can lead to neurosis, or positively to a romantically balanced catharsis. The writer contrasts the emotive content of the play with its cognitive content, the blurring and refocusing of which create the play's subjective ethical implications.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
The Contrast between What is and What Could be: Antony's Neurosis
Contrast Between the Written and Spoken Word
Intertextual Interpretations and Influences
The Intertextuality in Antony and Cleopatra: Hercules and Masochism
Hercules as Christian/Pagan Intertext
The Egyptian Other and the Roman Self
From the Paper "One priority in discussing things as complex as works of art, especially plays, is to acknowledge certain presuppositions about the nature of the subject matter. Is the philosophy of literature the same as literature that contains philosophy? While this has been widely debated, I think the issue lies in the distinction between the two, which if blurry, expresses an overlap such that literature can serve as philosophy, somewhat in the way that later Heidegger believed that poetry was the highest form of philosophical thinking."
Abstract This paper discusses the depictions of Antony's and Cleopatra's respective conflicts, and how those depictions portray the value of romantic love. The discussion begins with Antony's conflict, which is a struggle between reason and emotion, mind and heart. This conflict is a central theme to the play and is even manifest in a geographic and political sense as the struggle between the Western world of Rome and the Eastern world of Egypt. The discussion moves to Cleopatra and shows that she is at the center of the same struggle and is motivated, just as Antony, to choose between political power and love. The paper concludes with an examination of Shakespeare's message about the value of romantic love.
From the Paper "Cleopatra is portrayed to us as a woman of sublime beauty. She is seductive to such a degree that she is considered an enchantress and is referred to as a witch. Her majesty is described in vivid terms in a narration by Enobarbus; one of Antony's most trusted lieutenants (II.ii.196-210). He describes the golden decks of her barge, purple sails and silver oars. He compares her visage to Venus, and mentions her as surrounded by young servant boys and ladies. His description brings to us the enchanting quality of Cleopatra's presence, and her subsequent hold upon Antony."
Abstract This art study compares and contrasts the basis of pop art and performance art within the two works; "Loving Care" and "Mom and Dad" by Janine Antoni. The paper demonstrates how Antoni works within two different mediums within the context of these pieces, but keeps the central aspect of gender conflict that arises in modern society. The paper illustrates how Antoni reflects older traditions in the modern mass media perspective, but adds social and technological elements of her generation within her works.
From the Paper "The first work to be examined is entitled "Loving Care" (1993) by Janine Antoni. Although this performance piece has to be witnessed to be fully experienced, the photograph used in this study will seek to define the actual principles of what Antoni was trying to accomplish in this piece (Antoni "Love and Care"). The medium of this performance uses black hair dye, which is applied from a bucket to the hair of the artist. The dye is then spread with the hair much like a mop on the floor. The immediate commentary on this type of dye application revolves around the protest of beauty and women within the household. Immediately, there is a sense of the woman acting as a servant not with cleaning agents, but with the normative standards of beautification that the dye symbolizes for women in the modern era (Goldberg 229-231)."
Abstract This is a paper comparing and contrasting the two major speeches of Marcus Brutus and Antony in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". The author makes several interesting points and discusses how Antony 's method of toying with the audience's emotions prevailed over Brutus? attempt to use the audience's pride and patriotism.
From the Paper "Great speakers are remembered throughout history for making speeches that touch the audience, or get the audience to believe something that before seemed like nonsense. People like Martin Luther King Junior and Abraham Lincoln changed history, and are remembered to this day for their historic speeches. In William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, two such speeches were made. In the play, both Marcus Brutus and Antony made speeches that moved the crowd, but they used different techniques to accomplish their goals. Brutus? and Antony 's speeches differed vastly in their emphasis, content, and writing style."
Tags: audience, caesar, julius, play, renaissance, shakespeare, speaking, patriotism, william
The paper explores how the images of Roman and Egyptian cultures in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" reflect the battle of ideologies represented in the play.
Abstract By analyzing William Shakespeare's play, "Antony and Cleopatra", the paper focuses on images from Roman culture such as gods (Mars, Venus), heroes (Aeneas, Dido), Antony's sword. The paper then explores the images from Egyptian culture such as Isis and Osiris, serpent of the Nile. Finally it shows how these images are a reflection of both characters' ideologies and beliefs.
From the Paper "The spectators of Anthony and Cleopatra are inevitably overwhelmed by the splendor of imagery and the richness of images in the speeches of the characters. Opposition and juxtaposition of the images from Roman and Egyptian cultures contribute much to this effect. The use of these images is very intense; it reflects the battle of the ideologies that is fought on the stage. The central thematic conflict in Anthony and Cleopatra evolves from the opposing claims upon Anthony of the values and attitudes symbolized by the Roman and the Egyptian worlds."
Abstract This paper examines how Perpetua and St. Antony were two of the earliest recorded and most influential figures in Christian history. It looks at how both figures had different ideas as to what it meant to be a Christian and to live a Christian life. Perpetua was more of a public figure and worked with other Christians, while St. Antony was a much more private person and chose to live his life in the desert as a hermit.
From the Paper "To Perpetua, being a Christian meant above all retaining her faith and convictions even when threatened with execution. She accepted the contempt that her father held for her, as well as the contempt she faced from the other Roman citizens. She and the five other members of her congregation were charged and sentenced to death in the sports arena during the Emperor's celebration. Perpetua, Felicitas, and the four others were to be thrown to the beasts in the arena to be killed. Although Perpetua's father repeatedly begged her to give up her faith, she refused. Before her execution, Perpetua had many visions and dreams that reassured her that she was doing the right thing; she even had a dream about Dinocrates, her dead brother, living well in his afterlife."
Abstract This paper reviews the life and history of Mark Antony, born Marcus Antonius. The paper discusses how, thanks to the works of famous writers like Plutarch and Shakespeare, Mark Antony has become a legend. The paper further discusses how his actions following Julius Caesar's death in 44 B.C. and his exploits with Queen Cleopatra have made him interesting reading and a source of entertainment for centuries. However, behind the many stories, there was a man who was a brave general, loyal supporter, dedicated Roman and ardent lover.
From the Paper "While Caesar was fighting in Egypt and Africa to defeat the last of Pompey's forces, Antonius was given the distinction of being made Master of the Horse (fact). His role was to be a politician and administrator in Italy while Caesar was out of the country. Unfortunately for him, Antonius was not good in that role and was removed in 47 B.C. and even banished from Caesar's sight for two years (unrv). Nevertheless, Antonius was able to work his way back into Caesar's circle; in 44 B.C. he was the one to offer the crown to Caesar, a circumstance much celebrated in the first act of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar (unrv)."
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between Marcus Agrippa, Maecenas, and Octavius Caesar in Shakespeare's ?Antony and Cleopatra?. The author emphasizes how the interaction of these three characters provides insight into their characters. The author feels that this play depicts excess ambition.
Abstract This paper looks at the life of Spain's most famous architect Antoni Gaudi, his works and how others perceive him. Discussing, key aspects of design he has used and how many see these designs.
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two William Shakespeare plays: "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Romeo and Juliet." It provides biographical details of Shakespeare's life. It also looks at the common themes of political and romantic issues in the two plays, the lyrical poetry of both plays and the different appeal of both plays.
Tags: William Shakespeare, plays, Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet
Abstract This paper compares politician and warriors Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. It contends that Caesar the is greater man. The paper relies on the views and opinions of Plutarch.
From the Paper "Compared to contemporary American politicians the leaders of the Greek and Roman eras chronicled in "Plutarch's Lives" were indeed great men at least Caesar and Antony were. If we are to believe Plutarch who convinces you of his fairness and honesty by showing their faults and virtues with rough equivalence Caesar was unquestionably the greater man. But in spite of several fatal character flaws Antony stood head and shoulders over today's pols and military leaders by his brilliance and basic humanity. Whereas both men ..."
Abstract This paper summarizes and analyzes William Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra" and looks at how the love affair between the central characters, Antony and Cleopatra, is a story of the meeting of two civilizations which are irreconcilable, where the power struggle of world powers plays out between lovers. In particular, the paper examines what the relationship is between Antony's suicide and and his affair with Cleopatra and what this says overall about love, at least when mingled with politics.
From the Paper "More than a pure tragic romance, Antony & Cleopatra is a play that investigates the complex relationship between love and affairs of state, including issues of manipulation, responsibility, duty, and honor. The love affair between Antony and Cleopatra is more than a story of a man leaving his wife for another woman--it is a story of the meeting of two civilizations which are irreconcilable, where the power struggle of world powers plays out between lovers. As such, the text is riddled with metaphor; this is especially visible around the character of Antony and his death scene specifically. Reading this play and focusing on a close reading of Antony's prolonged death, I started to wonder what the relationship is in the text between his suicide and his affair with Cleopatra and what this says overall about love, at least when mingled with politics."
Abstract The paper begins with a synopsis of the life and history of Cleopatra VII. It then goes on to explain how Marc Antony's relationship with the Queen of Egypt was the main cause of the Battle of Actium. The increasing tension between Marc Antony and Octavian is studied and the course of the Battle of Actium is followed, showing how Cleopatra acted as a catalyst for the commencement of the battle.
From the Paper "In the history of Egypt, Cleopatra VII was considered as the "Last Pharaoh" of Egypt, particularly, the last descendant of the Ptolemaic rule. Cleopatra's life history is a series of numerous alliances and relationships with different men, although one of the most prominent men who got involved with Cleopatra is Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, all Roman rulers during the reign of the Roman Empire. In Egyptian history, there have been several queens named Cleopatra, although the seventh queen, who was Cleopatra VII, was the only one who became "influential" and "famous" (Tour-Egypt Monthly 1996). Known as Cleopatra VII Tryphaena, Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XIII Auletes, reigning King of Egypt during the year 51 BC. Cleopatra's father left a will, which states that Cleopatra was to be the heiress to her father's kingdom, and the heir will be Ptolemy XIV, Cleopatra's younger brother."
A comparative analysis of the power struggles that are depicted in William Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra", William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" and the movie "Dr Strangelove".
Abstract This paper examines how William Shakespeare creates the tension between the ideal and the pragmatic in his play "Antony and Cleopatra", but ultimately approves of Antony and Cleopatra's imaginative power over Caesar's practical but corrupted political power. In comparison, it looks at how "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding questions the power of civilisation and altruism in the face of barbarity while the movie "Dr Strangelove", directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a product of its context and depicts the horror of the destructive nature of man, as a result of the power plays that are happening between the most "powerful" men in the world.
From the Paper "The Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding is an allegory on true human nature. The text questions the power of civilisation and altruism in the face of barbarity. Golding transforms the novel The Coral Island (1857) by R.M. Ballantyne, changing the optimism in civilized values of English society displayed in the novel, to questioning the ability of civilizations to cope with barbaric impulses, emphasizing this transformation in theme by direct reference to the novel: "Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island", stated by the officer at the end. To create this powerplay between civility and barbarism, Golding symbolizes the respective traits in Ralph and Jack, both characters take from The Coral Island with the same names. Ralph symbolizes the power of civility, democracy and order while Jack symbolizes the power of anarchy, savagery and innate evil."
