Antony and Cleopatra Essay

Explore the presentation and effects of love in Antony and Cleopatra Antony and Cleopatra is Shakespeares peculiarly fluid and intimate historical retelling of the love tale of the roman soldier, Mark Antony, and the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra. The male protagonist, Antony, is a noble Roman soldier. That world so Shakespeare introduces him as having many ethnical personality traits which in this drama are cloak, alongside with his judgement, by the love he feels for Cleopatra.From the outset of the play, the audience sack see that Antonys judgment has been affected by love. This can be observed from the people in Antonys company. While it is frank they regard him as a powerful figure they in addition turn away of his relationship with Cleopatra. The audience can see this from Philos rendering of Antonys dotage that Oerflows the measure (1, 1, 2)1. This shows that his obsession with Cleopatra surpasses a sensible level.Philo says that Antonys heart has become the bellows and the fan/ To cool a gipsys lust. (1, 1, 7-10)2 This shows that some of his former greatness has gone as he has been degraded to serving, what others see as a gypsy. In addition to this the word gypsy alike reinforces the Romans disapproval of their relationship as gypsy would give the audience connotations of a promiscuous woman. However moments onwards this Antony is described to have goodly eyes (1, 1, 2)3 which glowed like plated Mars (1, 1, 4)4.Philos reference to Mars the powerful Roman God of war, presents Antony as a powerful, invulnerable God-like being. However this is a demonstration of hyperbole as the reader knows that Antony, no matter how magnificent, is put away a fragile and breakable mortal. This spend of hyperbole adds humor to the play as the reader identifies the exaggeration and knows that Antony is mortal. This description enables us to see the vivid change in Antonys judgement.As the play progresses the audience can further observe the deterioration of An tonys greatness principally because of awful decisions made by his affected judgement. This mainly happens because he struggles with the choice of whether to devote himself to a life of go bad, or a life of love. As a powerful Roman military attraction and one of the three Roman rulers Antony should have extremely strong realize ethics and ideologies, which in turn means any decisions he makes should spare work and responsibility.However this is not the case and his judgement is often affected by his feeling for Cleopatra. In turn this dramatically affects his actions, which contradicts with his ethics of work and responsibility Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch of the ranged pudding stone fall (1, 1, 33-4)5. Antony expresses his love for Cleopatra by saying he does not carry on if the Roman Empire falls. This shows the height of Antonys love for her and the great administrate that she has affected his judgement. This is more so as although this comment rejects Rome it also shows its greatness.As Antony is one of three rulers of Rome it should be his primary concern to uphold the Roman Empire rather than dismissing it for love. In addition to this Antony describes the empire as having a wide arch this metaphor illustrates to the audience that he believes that the Roman Empire is strong and will remain strong without him. thereof he can have a more pleasurable and relaxed lifetime. This computer address is also suggestive of Antonys highly regarded position in the triumvirate. This is reveled payable to Shakespeares use of the literary technique of iambic pentameter.As it is precise complex to write in it enhances the importance of his speech, this is done primarily because he is stating his passion for Cleopatra which he believes is more important than anything else. During Act 3 Antony catches Thidias snog Cleopatras hand. His jealousy enrages him and he commands his men to Take hence this knave and whip him (3, 13, 94)6. This is less noble as he displays irrational port and angry which are seen as Egyptian traits rather than Roman cultural traits, as Romans are precise, measurable and rational.His treatment of Thidias can be seen as an Egyptian trait mainly because it recalls Cleopatras similar treatment to the messenger in Act 2 scene 5 as she also says Thou shall be whipped (2, 5, 65)7. This again shows irrationality due to love, which both the lovers share. This fit implies a similarity in their passionate temperament that can be provoked beyond self control. In turn this shows their height of passion as they both are envious and irrationally jealous, which displays the intensity of their love.In addition to this the lack of self control demonstrated by Antony shows his affect of judgment as Romans see self control as an act of responsibly, which is held just as high as their ethics of work. Despite Antonys less than accurate judgment in previous scenes he is still a Roman at heart and shows certain aspect s which benefits Rome and the conception of work. Antony experiences a major emotional struggle when he marries Caesars baby Octavia. Antony participates in the marriage for political reasons hoping to cement himself to his responsibilities. However, he was still caught in a struggle between Rome and Egypt.