Antony And Cleopatra

    Timeline – Shakespeare’s Plays # Shakespeare’a influencers: Plutarch Niccolò Bernardo Machiavelli (1469–1527), author of: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy, and The Art of War. Queen Elizabeth I (1533) ascended to the throne in 1558 – 1603. Elizabethan Era - AKA - The Golden Age of Literature. Elizabeth supported the theatre. Shakespeare was baptised 26^(th) April, 1564 and buried on the 25^(th) April, 1616, fifty two year later. John Donne - 1572 - 1631 Difficult to discover their inter-connection.

    Coriolanus # Chronologically, this is a 450 year prequel to Julius Caesar becoming part of a trilogy of Roman plays; the sequel - Antony and Cleopatra. Julius Caesar was written in the late 1590’s with the former and latter, Jacobean Plays written sometime in 1607/08 – they could not be more different in language textural concerns or sentiment. By the time of the Renaissance, Rome was considered the epitome of what a civilisation could achieve through empire building, controlling the entire Mediterranean surrounds, and if you consider Constantinople, lasting just short of two thousand years.

    Antony and Cleopatra # Cleopatra is one of the strongest female characters Shakespeare portrays. Why did he wait until Queen Elizabeth I had died? In many ways they were similar. Like Cleopatra, Elizabeth was strong, used her sexual instincts for politics, has a sharp temper and can be witty. In the ruthless, ever-expanding empire of Rome, Shakespeare creates an astonishing portrait of a love too great for the world. ’ It is difficult to pigeon hole this play.

    Officially, known as Cleopatra VII, a name adopted from the beloved Cleopatra I, a young Syrian woman who married Egypt’s Ptolemy V, and who was one of thirty-three ancient women known to have held this Macedonian name. While they attempted to keep the blood lines pure through incest, there was no family loyalty – only bloody rivalry for power. Egypt’s failing fortunes were already in serious decline while Cleopatra was educated in preparation to inherit its perilous throne at 16 years of age.

    Characters in Antony and Cleopatra # The commoners # Called citizens in Corialanus, commoners in Julius Caesar, now are simply people. They have gone from participants, to a fickle mob to inert spectators. They are generally referred to disparagingly as having stinking breaths , idle creatures, You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! (MARULLUS) vulgar, (FLAVIUS ) mine honest neighbours, the rabblement, the tag-rag people (Casca) In Antony and Cleopatra they have more respect but less real power.

    Powerplays in Antony and Cleopatra # Antony and Caesar # From Julius Caesar Antony tells a servant that: Caesar did write for him (Octavius) to come to Rome. Servant He did receive his letters, and is coming; III. 1 278 - 280 Soon later he warns the servant: ANTONY is concerned Octavius may be the next victiom of th conspirators. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced: