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Honour and Redemption - Essay
This A plus essay explores the theme of honour, dissolution and redemption in the characters of Antony, Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
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Antony and Cleopatra EssayKate Jones
Topic 11
Antony and Cleopatra effectively demonstrates that one’s true honour is revealed through a
loss of dignity. This is clearly illustrated by Antony’s, Cleopatra’s and Enobarbus’s righteous
actions following a dishonourable event, demonstrating their genuine senses of integrity.
Antony is introduced as “the greatest soldier of the world”, a man of dignity and nobility,
despite the fact that his relationship with Cleopatra is frowned upon by many Romans. He
values honour highly, saying, “if I lose mine honour / I lose myself”. However, his cowardly
flight from Actium damages his reputation as a “Herculean Roman”. After being deserted by
Enobarbus and watching his fleet “[yield] to the foe” in Alexandria, Antony realises that he
is “no more a soldier” and has lost his honour. Antony’s final act of suicide allows him to
regain his identity as an honourable Roman warrior as he chooses to die rather than face
“th’inevitable prosecution of / Disgrace and horror.” In killing himself, Antony’s “spiritual
triumph” emerges as he does not allow Caesar to decide his fate, but rather becomes
“conqueror of [him]self.”
Cleopatra, like Antony, is presented as a highly respected leader and a “most triumphant
lady” whose “own person… beggared all description”. Although most Romans condemn
Cleopatra’s manipulative nature and open sexuality, she is nonetheless a formidable ruler
from whom “power breathe[s] forth”. When, after Antony’s death, Cleopatra learns that
Caesar intends to display her as a prisoner of war in Rome, she chooses to take her life
rather than be disgraced by having her multifaceted character diminished into a single
element by a “squeaking Cleopatra boy… I’th’posture of a whore”. Thus, Cleopatra’s dignity
and honour are revealed through her valiant suicide, one that allows her to die with integrity
rather than live in ignominy.
Enobarbus, an initially loyal follower of Antony’s, experiences “dishonour and defeat” after
abandoning Antony for Caesar. He feels that there is “a diminution in [Antony’s] brain” as
Antony’s passion is clouding his reason, and resolves to “seek / Some way to leave” Antony.
However, when Antony sends Enobarbus’s goods and additional treasures to Caesar’s
camp, Enobarbus realises that his desertion of his leader was a dishonourable act. His guilt
and shame cause him to feel as if he is “the villain of the earth,” and he decides to “seek /
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