Shakespeare presents the concept Essay Example for Free

Shakespeare presents the concept Essay The plays main characters are two of the most powerful people in the world, Antony being a member of the triumvirate, a coalition controlling the majority of the globe, and Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt, a feisty lady with a strong will who in the past has been linked with many other world leaders, a point which is often referred to throughout the play; Cleopatra: Did I, Charmian, / Ever love Caesar so? . Due to their status, the authority they hold and the power they have over people is clearly going to be a main theme as it affects many of their actions, decisions and feelings as the play progresses, to great consequence. There are a number of strong characters all trying to gain the upper hand at every opportunity. This is shown even in petty matters such as who gives in and sits down first in the falsely courteous power exchange between Antony and Caesar on Antonys visit to Rome in Act 2, Scene 2. Caesar: Welcome to Rome. Antony: Thank you. Caesar: Sit. Antony: Sit, sir. Caesar: Nay then. [Caesar sits, then Antony] This is comic moment from Shakespeare, but it does also outline the ongoing power struggle within the triumvirate. The scene can be looked at from two angles: it could be argued that, as it is Antony who wins this small exchange, the event aims to highlight the strength he possesses at the height of his career in order to provide a contrast for his lack of authority at the closing stages of the play; on the other hand it could also perhaps be seen as an early sign of his decline, as he is so desperate to gain authority he has reduced himself to pettiness, contrasting with the behaviour of Caesar who acts the bigger man without the need to win this small battle as he believes he can win the real thing, an inner confidence not present within Antony. The contrast between the characters behaviour is shown again more clearly in Act 3, Scene 13 where in a desperate struggle to maintain some authority Antony has Caesars messenger, Thidias, whipped for no good reason other than to prove he does still have some control. Antony: I am / Antony yet. Take hence the jack and whip him! This is an interesting juxtaposition to the previous scene where Caesar has received Antonys ambassador most courteously, even ensuring he returns safely back to his master, Caesar: Bring him through the bands. The difference in approach is most probably because Antony realises whilst his life and leadership is on a steady decline, the younger boy Caesar is gaining experience, power and control with each day that passes. Shakespeare has shown Antonys frustration at this through his actions and poor decision making, both on a personal and professional level. The power relationship between the lovers is also a main focus of the play and is a very interesting one displayed by Shakespeare in many ways. Enobarbuss description of the pairs first meeting at the river Cydnus, Act 2, Scene 2 is not only a beautiful story with wonderful language and imagery, it also gives an interesting insight into the direction the relationship will take. Antony invites the Queen to dine with him, but instead of complying she decides the night will be on her terms and changes the arrangements so he became her guest. This is a shocking response as Antony, Whom neer the word of No woman heard speak, is not used to being rejected. It makes him immediately interested in and intrigued by her. It also gives her the power in the relationship; right from the start she is the one calling the shots. Another interesting technique used by Shakespeare is the idea of gender reversal; Antonys manhood being transferred to Cleopatra. This is shown in many instances throughout the play the first of which comes in Act 1 Scene 2 where Enobarbus mistakes the footsteps of Cleopatra for those of Antony: Enobarbus: Hush, here comes Antony. Charmian: Not he, the Queen. This can either be seen as a genuine mistake in which case the audience can only assume the walk of Cleopatra is actually very similar to that of Antony; alternatively, it could be read that Enobarbus is being a bit cheeky and inferring the gender reversal he believes is taking place between the two of them. Either way it is an interesting comment which, although can not be reflected on at the time by the audience as Cleopatra starts talking, it does introduce the idea which re-emerges on many occasions later on in the play. A physical representation of this comes in Act 2, Scene 5 where a description of a night in which the couple got very drunk and exchanged clothes is given Cleopatra: Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst I wore his sword Philippian. This displays the exchange which has occurred very clearly and depending on the director it could even be shown visually to the audience. The sword mentioned is just one of many phallic symbols used by Shakespeare and it is used on many occasions often representing Antonys fading masculinity, Antony: My sword, made weak by my affection. One recurring quality in the play is how perceptive the other characters are to the events going on around them; nothing seems to go unnoticed. The gender reversal I have been referring to is also picked up on by the Romans and is described here in Act 1, Scene 4 by Caesar; (Antony) is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the Queen of Ptolemy More womanly than he; This is clearly seen as a weakness and is one way Antony is losing his authority as a world power; he is losing the respect of his contemporaries, an example of the route the relationship takes, finally becoming more destructive than creative and leading to the couples eventual downfall. The gender issues are not the only ones to be noticed by the other characters. Antonys constant struggle for power does not go unnoticed by the soldiers, especially Ventidius who, in Act 3, Scene 1 describes how he restrained from being too impressive in battle so as not to threaten Antonys authority: Better to leave undone than, by our deed, Acquire too high a fame when him we serves away.