Antony and Cleopatra is based upon a dualistic vision of experience, the world of Rome pitted against the world of Egypt

Antony and Cleopatra is based upon a dualistic good deal of experience, the humans of Rome pitted against the world of Egypt. Rome is associated with military glory, honor, and moral duty and this is clearly depicted by the go forry used throughout the play. Through Cleopatras wrangle in Act 1 prospect1, the listening gets some insight into the Roman way even before Shakespeare introduces it on stage. If the scarce bearded Caesar have non sent his powerful code to you, Do this, or this Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that.As she tries to predict the message form Rome, she creates an progress to of a powerful and commanding Caesar whose fix concern is to ensure the political superiority of the Triumvirate. Shakespeare uses the point of reference of Caesar to represent Rome and therefore creates the idea of a politically-motivated nation. The freshs from the messenger in Act 1 shooting 2 besides supports the political urgency of Rome as it creates juts of state of w ar and conquest that is occurring back in Rome. He speaks of Fulvia coming into the field and the check banner of Labenius, who is an enemy of the Trimuvirate.However, the battle of Actium which occurs after the separation of the Triumvirate is where imagery truly serves to illustrate the military urgency that is associated with Rome as images of ships, sails, swords and battle give the audience a greater understanding of the emphasis they place on war and the preservation of power. This is obvious in Caesars words as delivers commands for war Strike not by land keep whole. Provoke not battle till we have done at sea.Caesars words help to define the Roman vision of experience militaristic and male, marked by heroic restraint in difficult circumstances, a willed ability to combat ones deepest feelings, a sustained composure when everyone else is falling apart. Egypt, on the other hand, presents a stark contrast to the political world of the Romans. Egypt represents instinctive pass ion, extravagant hit the hay, fertility, and magnanimity. Just as Caesar represents Rome, Cleopatras character is used to represent Egypt as a whole. The extravagance of Egypt becomes immediately obvious as Cleopatra enters in Act 1 Scene 1.She enters with a flourish of fanfare, a train of female servants and eunuchs fanning her which evokes an image of absolute comfort and relaxation. There is no hint of political concern as she and Antony profess their love to each other in extravagant words which highlight their instinctive passion. This is reflected in Antonys response to Cleopatras question of the extent of his love Then must thou needs find out bleak heaven, new kingdom. There are similarly various references to food and drink in Cleopatras words and these images serve to create a sense of pleasure which is associated with eating.She refers to her salad days as she speaks of her youth. She also requests music and moody food to quell her anxiety astir(predicate) Antonys r eturn to her. The atmosphere of pleasure in Egypt is emphasized by Antony in Act 1Scene 1 as he expresses his wishes to indulge in the gay abandon and revelry of Cleopatras kingdom Theres not a moment of our lives that should stretch without some pleasure now. other important illustration of the contrast between Rome and Egypt is the imagery that depicts the change in Antonys character.Through the observations of other characters in the play, Shakespeare makes obvious the deterioration of Antonys political intrepidity and power. The description of this decline usually consists of a juxtaposition of imagery of strength and fortitude with that of weakness and submission. The strength of character is associated with the Antony in Rome who held his political duties in high regard. He deteriorates into a doting mallard of Cleopatra in Egypt where it appears that the atmosphere of abandon and relaxation has cast a spell over him, making him approximate up his duties as one of the mos t powerful men in the world.He is described as The triple pillar of the world transformed into a strumpets fool. This creates the image of deterioration for one who held great power. The imagery of strength versus weakness used in Scarus speech in Act 1 Scene 1 also portrays the decline in Antony His captains heart which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst the buckles on his breast, reneges all temper and becomes the bellows and the fan to cool a gypsys lust. The strength of Antonys character before his indulgence in the pleasure of the East is enforced by the imagery used in Caesars tribute to Antony in Act 1 Scene 4.He describes Antony with images of strength and resilience at thy heel did famine follow, whom thou fought against, thou didst drink the stale of horses The contrast between Rome and Egypt also highlights the underlying themes of masculine order versus feminine order as well as the role of the woman . In Rome the masculine ethos which, while having room to hon our women in certain limited ways, has little place for them in public life, other than as useful political tools or upholders of very masculine ideals or as producers of soldiers.There is little respect for them as is obvious in the imagery used by various Romans to describe Cleopatra. She is described as a red-blooded gypsy which is an image used to degrade her character. When Octavius thinks of how his sister should enter Rome in a manner fitting her vastness, the only images he can reach for which might express his feelings are ones taken from the vocabulary of military triumphs The wife of Antony should have an army for an usher. It is significant that he can convey his high jimmy and strong feelings for her only in images more appropriate to a returning triumphant general.On the other hand, the woman holds a role of utmost wideness in Egypt. Cleopatras position as queen is the primary image of this. Enobarbus tribute to her also creates an image of her infinite power and freedom as a woman. something only when at odds with the Roman emphasis on predictable order, law, and consistency. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. In Cleopatras palace, women talk openly about explicit sexuality. They are attended by men and this creates an image of female superiority. They express their sexual feelings, joke about sexual matters, and establish a close female community.The image of the horse in relation to Antony and Cleopatras sexual encounters is one of few images that used to express sexuality. This highlights the ability of the woman to be open and expressive as opposed to that of Rome who is expected to be reserved and serve their men. Another major theme of the play to which imagery gives great insight is that of the love between Antony and Cleopatra. They profess their love for each other in an exaggerated style, using images of vastness to describe the extent of their feelings.In Act 1 Scene 1 when Cleopatra claims that she w ill set a limit (bourn) on Antonys love, he responds Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth. This trend continues throughout the play. Even in death their love is made evident by the imagery used in their speech. Cleopatras motivation for suicide is her reunion with Antony in death I am again for Cyndus, to meet Marc Antony. This creates the image of their first meeting and emphasizes the immortality of their love as she wishes to recreate that moment in the afterlife. Cleopatra herself finalizes this as she says I haveImmortal longings in me. Another main focus of the play is politics and the desire for power. This gives rise to worldliness of the play as the Romans seek to economise and expand their conglomerate. The political strategies never remain confined to Rome and there is frequent mention of the capture of neighbouring countries The imagery used reinforces the sense of grandeur and the abundant scope of the drama.. It is seen from Act 1 Scene 2 when the messenger form Rome describes Labenius conquering lands from Asia, Euphrates, Syria, Lydia and Ionia.There are also frequent images of the sea and the earth in relation to politics which give a sense of vastness and help to highlight the importance of politics and world conquest. This is illustrated by Cleopatra as she describes war as the worlds great snare. Some of the political imagery used to describe Antony also helps to reinforce the huge scope of the drama. He is called the greatest prince of the world, the demi- Atlas of the world, and the cover othearth. He is not only a strong leader in Rome but a triple pillar of the world as Romes empire extends all over the globe.In examining the imagery of love and politics in Antony and Cleopatra, the underlying theme of war versus love cannot be ignored. This is made evident in the imagery in Antonys words as he struggles to find a balance between upholding his political duty and indulging in passion with Cleopatra. A prime examp le of this is when Antony is about to leave for war in Act 4 Scene 4. As Cleopatra tries to lace his armour he calls her the armourer of my heart. The image of armour gives a sense of impending war but Antony uses it to convey that Cleopatra has captured his heart.This contrasting imagery occurs several other times in the play, even in the same scene when he gives her a soldiers kiss. The juxtaposition of war and love illustrates Antonys conflict of choice between love and duty. It also helps to illustrate how he downplays the importance of war and politics in the face of love. Antony himself acknowledges this as he admits that he lost to Caesar at sea because he trusted Cleopatras fleet to help him realize the battle My sword made weak by my affection.