Summary
Summary Antony and cleopatra
- Course
- English
- Institution
- Curro Private School (Curro)
A 12 page outline of what happens in the Shakespeare play of Antony & Cleopatra. Strong Quotes ideal for essay writing.
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Antony and cleopatraAct 1 Scene 1
The struggle between reason and emotion: “the bellows and the fan, to cool a
gisphy’s heart” – Antony is shown to choose Cleopatra above all else in is life, he is
more dedicated to Cleopatra and Egypt then his Roman duties. Antony is completely
captivated by Cleopatra.
As Antony becomes invested into Cleopatra, he loses his honour to his dotage and
foolish behave. He has given himself to a non-roman woman.
Cleopatra transforms Antony into a ‘prostitute’s fool’
Antony one a pillar of Rome is no longer when he says that any land is dust and thus
unimportant to him.
Public display of affection as a theme is shown when Cleopatra demands to be told
how she is loved by Antony. Caesar steps in and comment that if Cleopatra is in need
of confirmation of Antony’s love then he does not love her at all.
Antony is still married to Fluvia.
“The triple pillar of the world transformed into a strumpet’s fool” – refers to the
motif of extravagant declarations of love. It also displays the theme of clash between
the East and West and the culture clash. “Let Rome in the Tiber melt, an the wide
arch of the ranged empire fall.”
Demetrius states Antony is not himself in Egypt and that the people of Rome find
Antony to be disloyal and them romans have lost their respect for Antony. ‘
Demetrius asks whether Antony cares about Caesar or his actions, Philo replys saying
Antony in Egypt is a foreign man to that in Rome.
Questions of:
Will love conquer reason or via versa?
Did Caesar really gain his glory or did Antony claim Caesar’s glory?
o Caesar achieves his ambition, but he does it in solitude and there is no
proven true loyalty to Caesar.
o Antony had loyalty by his men, shown when his men refuse to kill him. In
term of humility Antony won over his army due to his people skills
o Caesar however, compromised his human companionship whereas he could
stabilize a country and reduced death. Antony is the opposite.
Act 2 Scene 2
Cleopatra’s ladies in waiting ask the fortune teller – Lamprius to predict their
fortunes- indicating the nature of Egypt is not based on fact but more in fiction.
Egypt is shown to have few restrictions and is filled with sexual innuendos-
unmeasured in a sexual way.
Lamprius predicts “You shall out live the lady whom you serve.”
Cleopatra is looking for Antony as she says that a “Rome thought has struck him”
indicating that Antony’s rationality mind or Rome side is coming out in the way he is
acting.
, Antony’s wife Fluvia and his brother went into war with Caesar to try overthrow
Caesar and lost resulting in the death of Fluvia.
“These strong Egyptian fetters I must break or lose myself in dotage.”
o Antony acknowledges cleopatra has gotten the better of him and has
captivated him.
Enobarbus is the Roman voice of reason, he expresses that Antony does not fit the
role of a Roman empire because of the free-spirited life he has adapted to in Egypt.
Antony divides himself between the East and the West (theme).
Fluvia dies and Antony describes it as a ‘ great spirit is gone’. Although he wanted
Fluvia dead he wishes she wasn’t.
“I must from my enchanting queen break off”
o Antony admits that Cleopatra sends him into a trans
o He states that he must leave Egypt to go back to Rome to fulfil his Roman
duties.
Enobarbus complains about Antony acting un-roman, however Enobarbus remains
loyal to Anthony
Anthony is said to return to Rome after the vision of Pompey comes to light. Antony
therefore becomes heroic.
Act1 Scene 3
Cleopatra contradicts Antony
o She does not allow Antony a moment to get a word in and puts on an act
Infront of him
o She speaks about how Antony should be sadden by his wife’s death and yet
he is not as was unfaithful, Cleopatra says that Antony leaving is an indication
that he will react the same to her death.
“the strong necessity of time commands…”
o Reassures that Fulvia is dead
o Cleopatra turns against Antony and says he should be in pain and filled with
sadness towards death of his wife.
“As you shall give th’ advice “
o Whatever Cleopatra tells Antony to do he does
o Antony says him leaving is a challenge and proves their love is real
o The love between them is real and can not be broken.
“Your honour calls you hence”
o Cleopatra acknowledges it is honour calling Antony to Rome- Rome is a
symbol of honour. THEME
Act 1 Scene 4
Caesar and Lepidus
Caesar speaks out against Antony – “A man who is the abstract of all faults”
o Reference to Antony becoming under the control of Egypt.
Lepidus stands behind Antony and refuses to judge Antony.
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