This essay, which received 100% when marked, explores the contrasting worlds of Rome and Egypt, the characters which represent each place and the reasons for Antony's inability to exist in both realms.
Antony and Cleopatra - Summary, Characters & Themes Analysis
Antony and Cleopatra Summary
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Antony and Cleopatra Essay
Kate Jones
Topic 16
In Antony and Cleopatra, the contrast between Egypt and Rome is a key factor in the tragic
demise of both Antony and Cleopatra. Rome is a place of duty, honour and order, while
Egypt represents passion, love and amorality. During their lives, Antony and Cleopatra are
unable to find a balance between these two worlds, however, in death they achieve
harmony.
The austerity of Rome is demonstrated in Caesar’s character, although Antony also reflects
many Roman values. Caesar, disapproving of Antony’s “lascivious wassails” in Egypt,
reveals the Roman belief in the importance of duty and obedience. Caesar’s strategic pursuit
of power illustrates the value placed by Romans on authority and reputation. By deposing
Lepidus and “[making] wars upon Pompey”, his aggressive determination to become “the
universal landlord” is revealed. Similarly, Antony’s belief that “the honour is sacred” is a
typically Roman attitude, which is further emphasised through his “noble” suicide.
In contrast, the sensuality and decadence of Egypt are represented by Cleopatra. Her
excessive nature and open sexuality are often misconstrued by Romans, who view her as
licentious and a “whore”, but her genuine love for Antony is admired by even Caesar, who
ultimately acknowledges that “her strong toil of grace” makes her worthy of Antony. The
Egyptian view that “there’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned” reveals both Antony’s
and Cleopatra’s belief in the transcendence of love. Enobarbus, in describing the pair’s
meeting at Cydnus, encapsulates the extravagance of Egypt as he describes Cleopatra
“o’er-picturing that Venus which… outwork[ed] nature” itself.
The stark differences between Rome and Egypt ultimately culminate in the tragic deaths of
both Antony and Cleopatra. Antony vacillates between his Roman duties and his love for
Cleopatra. He is initially seen as a “Herculean Roman”, but when in the presence of
Cleopatra, his tendency to “make his will / Lord of his reason” results in Romans considering
him “a strumpet’s fool”. During his life, he finds himself unable to reconcile his Roman and
Egyptian ideologies, however, through his suicide, these two worlds merge as he becomes
both “a Roman by a Roman / Valiantly vanquished” as well as “a bridegroom in [his] death”.
He regains his Roman honour by becoming “conqueror of [him]self” and simultaneously
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