William Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra Essay -- Shakespeare Antony

William Shakespe ares Antony and CleopatraShakespeares Antony and Cleopatra is aptly named, not just because the lean centers around these two characters, but also because it encompasses the plays arrested development on the lovers oppositional relationship. On the surface level, Antony embodies the Roman ideals of a good, noble man, small-arm Cleopatra represents the hyper-sexualized, dangerous Eastern woman. However, upon further examination both(prenominal) Antony and Cleopatra display change internal conflicts that effectively reverse these polar positions repeatedly throughout the play. In this way, the opposition between Antony and Cleopatra that exists on a simple, interpersonal level is echoed by much complicated, internal conflicts indoors each of these characters on a deeper, more individual level. The tension between the title characters creates the love that draws them together at the same time as it drives them further apart, thus establishing yet other layer of antipathetical relationships within the play. The importance of these oppositional relationships is underlined most starkly in Act II.2. In particular Enobarbus speech describing Cleopatras beauty functions as one of the greatest statements of the plays conflicting themes. This speech reflects the antagonistic nature of the plays central relationships through the invocation of equivalent antagonistic relationships between the violent descriptors used to depict Cleopatra. Throughout the play, Shakespeare establishes a love-hate relationship between Antony and Cleopatra. In doing so, there are times when the lovers are characterized as stark opposites of each other as well as instances where these characterizations are reversed. The Romans, represented b... ...defining Antony and Cleopatras equally oppositional relationship. The battles within her reflect Antonys personal struggles, as well as the greater wars within their relationship. Thus, the dualities within E nobarbus speech reflect the oppositional relationships both within the play as a whole and within the greater context of Act II.ii. Antony and Cleopatra struggle to pose themselves on intra- and inter-personal levels as well as within the greater societal sphere. Ultimately, they can never fully resolve the polar oppositions that exist both within and between them. This results in the physical and emotional violence that is both reflected and predicted in Enobarbus speech.Work CitedBeggared. Oxford English Dictionary. http//dictionary.oed.com/ Accessed 10/17/05Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. New York Penguin Books, 1999.