Essay on Relationships in Antony and Cleopatra -- Antony Cleopatra Ess

Destructive Power Relationships in Antony and Cleopatra Antony and Cleopatras love is not in reality ab step forward love at all. Their interaction can only be considered a sort of immature lust-power relationship. Their relationship is shallow, self-centered, irresponsible and destructive. Their attraction for each early(a) centers around infatuation and a sort of egoistic rush that they are more important than the world. Just as a man or charwoman of today may attempt to control the desires of his or her intended, Cleopatra wants to manipulate Antony into wanting her Cleopatra. See where he is, whos with him, what he doesI did not send you if you find him sad, secern I am dancing if in mirth, reportThat I am sudden sick. Quick, and return. Romeo and Juliets relationship was sweet and beyond life. Cleopatra and Antonys relationship is a very worldly-minded single (we do not even know if Cleopatra applied the asp because she wanted to be with Antony in death or if she simply co uld not endorse being left with Caesar in life). G.W. Knight of the Aesthetic school of critics says of Cleopatra that she is a metaphysical, not moral, good--a good of totality. She is good in the same large way one might say life is good, or the universe is good, not because it contains no suffering or bad times, but because from restropect even these experiences are worth having. Her idol flowers from totality, not exclusion. You end up liking Cleopatra in this play because she is so robust and sensual and unpredicable and capable of so many strong emotions. Here she bursts out at the messager after he reported that Antony had married Cleopatra. What say you? Hence,Horrible villain or Ill spurn thine eyesLike balls before me Ill ... ...and the first collieryDrop in my neck as it determines, soDissolve my life the next Caesarion smiteTill by degreees the memory of my womb,Together with my brave Egyptians all,By the discandying of this pelleted stormLie graveless, till the fli es and gnats of NileHave buried them for prey The hand of death hath raught him. . . . let Patient Octavia plough thy visage upWith her prepard nails. . . . fill our bowls once moreLets mock the midnight bell. A 1759 quote about a performance of this play stated that it did not seem to go away ye Audience any great pleasure or draw any applause. I can imagine that. It is not one of the best of Shakespeares plays, but it does fade you a fair share of history, tragedy, and poetry. I think this play would be perfect for a more modern reinterpretation analyzing destructive power relationships.