Antony and Cleopatra Essay

This scene presents the readers with a brief preface to the universally known love history of Antony, the triple power of this world, and Cleopatra, his wrangling strumpet. The scene opens with two Romans, Philo and Demetrius, discussing the incredible power Cleopatra has over Antony and the remarkable change they can perceive in Antonys character. Through Philos opening speech we ar told that Antonys former qualities included those of a strong-minded ruler and a valiant warrior, including forcible prowess and military skill.However, the Romans now see him as a changed man who is no longer behaving like a ruler instead of fulfilling the duties of a drawing card and returning to capital of Italy, he is being ruled by a tawny gypsy. Thus, before meeting the lovers themselves, we are presented with the Roman attitude towards the relationship duty and allegiance has been abandoned for love. We sense that Antony must be debating in his mind whether to pursue his passion or perform his duty, and those around him are anxiously delay for him to embrace his role as a leader again and return to his former self.On observing the interaction between the two characters, I make up myself accepting Philos objections to the relationship and his observations on Antonys altered state, and studying the evident infatuation that is blinding Antony as he loses his sense of responsibility. Cleopatra is his self-indulgence, and he cannot all in all understand his great sexual passion for her. We know that his overindulgence leads to a loss of reason and control later in the play, and the disregard he expresses in this first of all scene towards his obligations makes us aware of the great power his passion has.Let the Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch/of their love. His indifference towards the news from Rome again illustrates how he is shirking his duties in Rome when under the spell of the exotic, mysterious eastern monarch. From the first scene, we learn of Cleopatras tawn y front, entrapment of a great general and her gypsy lust. Her entrance is a grand one, accompanied by Antony, her Ladies, the train, with Eunuchs fanning her.Her authority and command as a ruler are emphasized, and as we then witness in the dialogue between the lovers, her power over Antony mirrors her political power. In this first scene, we see Cleopatra as both plethoric and skeptical. If it be love indeed, she taunts Antony, tell me how much. Antony, the triple pillar of the world is transformd /Into a strumpets fool as he prepares to renounce all his power in exchange for Cleopatra.Cleopatra seems to love these assertions of love, as she is wary of the fact that she stands on loose ground, even though she is a seductress of the crush abilities. Antony is married to Fulvia, and Cleopatra questions his love for his wife is it greater than the love he holds for her? We see here that her love for Antony is possessive, yet she too depends on it. Although she dominates Antony in the opening exchanges, her first line If it be love indeed, tell me how much points to the ever searching, questing, explorative nature of her personality.She teases, wrangles and resists the definite, whilst playing on Antonys weak spots, reminding him of his wife and public responsibilities. Thus, I feel the strongest aspect of the relationship that Shakespeare conveys here is highlighted when Antony tells Cleopatra Theres not a minute of our lives should stretch/Without some pleasure now all is to be reduced and sacrificed for the sensuous, intense pleasure of the moment hedonism is to predominate over duty and responsibility.