Essay, Research Paper: Antony And Cleopatra

Shakespeare

Free Shakespeare research papers were donated by our members/visitors and are presented free of charge for informational use only. The essay or term paper you are seeing on this page was not produced by our company and should not be considered a sample of our research/writing service. We are neither affiliated with the author of this essay nor responsible for its content. If you need high quality, fresh and competent research / writing done on the subject of Shakespeare, use the professional writing service offered by our company.


Nature, described as mysterious and secretive, is a recurrent theme throughout
Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra, the ill-fated queen of Egypt,
is both mysterious and secretive, and her emotional power is above and beyond
nature’s great strength. Whether described in a positive or in a negative
manner, both nature and Cleopatra are described as being “great natural
forces.” Throughout the first act, the two are compared and contrasted by
various characters in the play. The first act, set in Alexandria, Egypt, sets
the stage for the play and presents the majority of the actors. Scene two
introduces one of the major themes of the play, Nature. This raunchy, innuendo-
filled scene has two of Cleopatra’s close friends and one of Antony’s
discussing her and Antony’s life. Charmian, one of Cleopatra’s best friends,
Alexas, one of Cleopatra’s servants (as well as the link between her and
Antony), Enobarbus, one of Antony’s trusted Lieutenants, as well as a
Soothsayers are all present and discussing their fortunes. During this
discussion, the Soothsayer states, “ In Nature’s infinite book of secrecy/ A
little I can read” (I.ii.10-11). The Soothsayer explains to the others that
there is little she can do outside of not only her powers, but also what nature
allows her to. One of the first references to nature and the mystery that
revolves around it, this quote simply demonstrates how little power the people
have over something as great as nature. Nature and the elements surrounding it
are simply a mystery to the people of Rome. In his discussion with his
commanding Lieutenant, Enobarbus refers to Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt and
Antony’s soon-to- be lover, as a great natural force that is above nature’s
powers. In the second scene of the first act, Antony states, “She is cunning
past man’s thought” (I.ii.145). This statement is then followed by Enobarbus’
statement about Cleopatra: “…her passions are made of noth/ing but the
finest part of pure love. We cannot call her /winds and waters sighs and tears;
they are greater /storms and tempests than almanacs can re- port. This/ cannot
be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a show’r of /rain as well as Jove”
(I.ii.146-151). In this quote, Enobarbus shows great respect and admiration
towards Cleopatra. Not only does he defend her from Antony’s statement, but
also he regards her with such high esteem that he compares her to Jove, the
ruler of the gods in charge of rain, thunder, and lightning. In the latter part
of the play, Cleopatra affirms the claim made by Enobarbus stating that her
powers are greater that nature’s. In scene 13 of the third act, she states,
“Ah, dear, if I be so, / From my cold heart let heaven engender hail, / And
poison it in the source, and the first stone/ Drop in my neck;”
(III.xiii.158-161). In her discussion with Antony, Cleopatra is openly asserting
her “supernatural” powers that she believes she has. Not only does she
believe she has supernatural powers, but she also believes that she is Egypt.
Throughout the first act, various characters claim and make references to
Cleopatra as being “Egypt” itself. On page __________________. These claims
are later affirmed several times towards the end of the play. In his discussion
with Lepidus and Pompey, Antony states, “The higher Nilus swells. / The more
it promises,” (pg.56). In referring to Egypt and its conditions, Antony has
made the comparison between Cleopatra and Egypt. In this quote, Antony states
two things: That Egypt rises and falls along with Cleopatra, and Cleopatra is
comparable to the nature of Egypt. This statement not only makes the comparison
between Cleopatra and Egypt, but by Antony obliviously stating that Cleopatra
“is Egypt”, he reaffirms Cleopatra’s great natural strength. In
Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, nature, the elements surrounding it and
its mystery are continuously compared to Cleopatra. In several instances in the
book, we see Cleopatra’s strength over God’s natural powers. Throughout the
first act as well as in the latter acts of the novel, references are made to
both nature and to Cleopatra’s powers over it.
0
0
Good or bad? How would you rate this essay?
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Like this term paper? Vote & Promote so that others can find it

Get a Custom Paper on Shakespeare:

Free papers will not meet the guidelines of your specific project. If you need a custom essay on Shakespeare: , we can write you a high quality authentic essay. While free essays can be traced by Turnitin (plagiarism detection program), our custom written papers will pass any plagiarism test, guaranteed. Our writing service will save you time and grade.




Related essays:

12
0
Shakespeare / As You Like It
The main themes of "As You Like It" are the pastoral ideal and the ideal of romantic love. Forest of Aden is the primary setting where these themes develop. Nature serves as a refuge from s...
4508 views
0 comments
2
1
Shakespeare / As You Like It
In William Shakespeare's comedy "as you like it," the themes of love, power, confusion, and betrayal as explored. The author's skillful use of dialogue combine with dramatic presentation to...
4250 views
0 comments
2
4
Shakespeare / Black Death
Cantor states that, No one - peasant or aristocrat - was safe from the disease [bubonic plague], and once it was contracted, a horrible and painful death was almost a certainty. The dead and the dyin...
4468 views
0 comments
5
1
Shakespeare / Brutus' Tragic Flaw
A tragic hero often has three important characteristics; his superiority which makes his destruction seem more tragic, his goodness which arouses pity, and his tragic flaws. In the Tragedy of Julius ...
5449 views
0 comments
0
1
Shakespeare / Caesar And Brutus
Brutus was a trusted friend of Caesar and an honorable man, or so you thought. In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus is presented as a loyal companion to Caesar showing himsel...
3274 views
0 comments