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Antony And Cleopatra Essays

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This document discusses William Shakespeare's Roman tragedy Antony and Cleopatra and how it expresses 16th century England's cultural upheavals, including the transformation of masculinity from one defined by power to one rooted in humanism. It analyzes passages from the play that portray Antony changing from a fearless warrior to one who indulges in revelry and sensual pleasure with Cleopatra, stripping him of his manly honor according to Roman ideals of virtus, or courage and leadership. The document examines how Shakespeare uses Roman figures and ideals to comment on changes in English culture and gender norms during the 16th century.

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Essay on Antony and Cleopatra As a onetime outpost of Rome, England was greatly influenced by Roman genealogy–ancestors that were god–like (Mars), superhuman (Hercules), fearless warriors (Pompey) who flourished in a patriarchal society (ancient 4). I would like to discuss how Shakespeare uses these characteristics in his Roman tragedy Antony and Cleopatra, as a means to express sixteenth century England's cultural upheavals, one of which was the transformation of masculinity defined in terms of power to masculinity rooted in humanism. Traditionally, the monarch of a country is the "head of the nobility"(Giddens 2) and skilled in weaponry so as to fight side by side with his soldiers. Queen Elizabeth shattered this tradition with her femininity and physical...show more content... Pompey is strong at sea, And it appears he is beloved of those That only have feared Caesar. To the ports The discontents repair, and men's reports Give him much wronged. (1.4.34–40) This passage speaks of important activity all of which deals with the power that comes from Caesar's past exploits and the current campaign in which Pompey equals Caesar's achievement of honor. Compare this to the conversation Caesar and Lepidus have about Antony's change in character. Our great competitor. From Alexandria This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there A man who is the abstract of all faults That all men follow. (1.4.3) From Bacon's perspective, as well as Caesar's, Antony's behavior is slothful and is viewed as stripping him of his manly honour. His manners have slid from those of a powerful military leader to those of a drunk. His masculinity is described as equal to Cleopatra's femininity. He deserves this criticism because he chooses to retreat from war in favour of sensual pleasure. Although he is a Roman warrior, he realizes that it is the activity of life, not war, that he yearns to explore. Encased in the mold of Roman virtus, i.e. courage and leadership, is "a place of Get more content on HelpWriting.net

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Antony And Cleopatra Essays

  • 1. Essay on Antony and Cleopatra As a onetime outpost of Rome, England was greatly influenced by Roman genealogy–ancestors that were god–like (Mars), superhuman (Hercules), fearless warriors (Pompey) who flourished in a patriarchal society (ancient 4). I would like to discuss how Shakespeare uses these characteristics in his Roman tragedy Antony and Cleopatra, as a means to express sixteenth century England's cultural upheavals, one of which was the transformation of masculinity defined in terms of power to masculinity rooted in humanism. Traditionally, the monarch of a country is the "head of the nobility"(Giddens 2) and skilled in weaponry so as to fight side by side with his soldiers. Queen Elizabeth shattered this tradition with her femininity and physical...show more content... Pompey is strong at sea, And it appears he is beloved of those That only have feared Caesar. To the ports The discontents repair, and men's reports Give him much wronged. (1.4.34–40) This passage speaks of important activity all of which deals with the power that comes from Caesar's past exploits and the current campaign in which Pompey equals Caesar's achievement of honor. Compare this to the conversation Caesar and Lepidus have about Antony's change in character. Our great competitor. From Alexandria This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there A man who is the abstract of all faults That all men follow. (1.4.3) From Bacon's perspective, as well as Caesar's, Antony's behavior is slothful and is viewed as stripping him of his manly honour. His manners have slid from those of a powerful military leader to those of a drunk. His masculinity is described as equal to Cleopatra's femininity. He deserves this criticism because he chooses to retreat from war in favour of sensual pleasure. Although he is a Roman warrior, he realizes that it is the activity of life, not war, that he yearns to explore. Encased in the mold of Roman virtus, i.e. courage and leadership, is "a place of Get more content on HelpWriting.net