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)."

Tags:shakespeare, antony, cleopatra

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."

Tags:self-love, interaction, kabbalah, hermeneutic, metaphor, interpretation

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."

Tags:romantic, love, east, west

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)."

Tags:Octavianus, octavia, Cleopatra, Caesar

Abstract
This paper examines how William Shakespeare intermingled imperialistic tones with gender terminology in his tragedy "Antony and Cleopatra." The reviewer cites that the playwright described Rome and Egypt in terms of gender, as well as East versus West. According to the paper, imperialistic assumptions underline the gender identities. This idea is supported with various quotes from literary criticism as well as the text of the play. The reviewer concludes that Antony is not 'manlike' and holds almost an inferior position in the relationship with the 'enchanting queen'.

From the Paper
"On the contrary,Cleopatra is not "more womanly than" Antony suggests that masculine traits in Cleopatra. Cleopatra holds Egypt by power and 'rights' made secure by Antony. When she is threatened,she attempts to secure some possessions. She believes in her own royal priviledge; her government is hierarchical and she is an absolute ruler.Some instances that prove her not so 'womanly' behaviour are when she involves in physical violence with the messenger who brings the news of Antony's marriage with Octavia and the other is her decison to go to the war to help Antony."

Tags:Levant, tragedy, ancient Egypt, ancient Rome

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."

Tags:tragedy, North-African, Mardian, Aphrodite

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."

Tags:carthage, christianity, church, early, felicitas, martyrdom, persecution, saints

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

Abstract
This paper explains the ways that Cleopatra VII, daughter of a Macedonian king used her intelligence and physical attributes to insure her throne as an Egyptian pharaoh and to leave a lineage of rulers. Next, the author explains that, after her affair with Julius Caesar and his assassination, Cleopatra directed her romantic attentions to Mark Anthony to ensure attaining her goals. The paper concludes that, although Cleopatra has been criticized for her shrewd scruples, she was able to turn an Egypt ravaged by famine, when she began her reign, into a rich and powerful country capable of financing some of Mark Antony military campaigns.

From the Paper
"Cleopatra's reasons for her actions, while being together with Mark Antony, might be partially due to cold political reasoning and partially to her feelings for him. Her intelligence and wise maneuvers did not, however, help her escape a cruel destiny. She became the last Egyptian pharaoh and her dream of ruling over a reestablished Egyptian empire was definitively destroyed after eleven years of sharing it with Mark Antony. According to Plutarch, her relationship with Mark Antony was very passionate and driven by love just as it was motivated by political reasons."

Tags:macedonian, intellectual capacities, ally dynasty wars

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.