Antony And Cleopatra Comparison Analysis

Cleopatra, the queen of the Nile was one of the most iconic figures from ancient world of history. She was known as an intelligent, ambitious and powerful woman who also had devious and ruthless characteristics. She was referred to as a ‘wanton temptress’ throughout history as she seduced two of the most influential and powerful men in her time by her beauty and charm followed by a set of events that was politically best for her nation. Cleopatra was chosen to be the queen at an early age of 18; she made several contributions for Egypt and ruled successfully with many ups and downs for 21 years. There were no records of a single revolt during her reign.

Once their feelings grew stronger Octavia was forgotten and Mark Antony returned to Alexandria with Cleopatra. While there love flourished, Mark Antony got himself in some trouble with Octavian. A very powerful man that turned the public against Mark Antony. They shared many battles which led to Mark Antony and Cleopatra fleeing the battle scenes. Octavian was sick of Cleopatra and Mark Antony being in control that when Cleopatra tried to reason with him, he demanded for Mark Antony’s death (Roller, D. 2010).

He wanted Cleopatra help, he knew she was smart. Mark Antony didn’t think she was beautiful, it was her personality and her intelligence. Cleopatra needed someone to protect her so nothing would happen, she had many enemies. They lived together in Greece. Later on, he tells her that he can’t protect her any more.

When Octavian stated “And yet, at first, I was so enthusiastic about him that I shared with him my command, married my sister to him, and have him legions,” he shows that he was the dominate male in his home and an authority figure in Rome during his speech to his troops (Document 2). He tells them of how men are superior to woman, but that Antony is allowing Cleopatra to take control of Rome and him. Antony has given her everything that the citizens of Rome have worked for and owned including land, riches, and even an island, all while he is still married to Octavian’s sister. Antony went as far as even “legitimizing the two children, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selena,” that he conceived with Cleopatra while still married (Document 1). Octavian tried to reason with Antony, showing that he still backed him but that he needed to come back to the Roman side because the Egyptian queen has brainwashed him, and turned him into a female servant. Once, Antony rejects the offer, Octavian condemned Antony and in return was condemned right back (Document 1). From that point, Octavian decided that he no longer has a choice, Rome needed to defend themselves from the Egyptian sorcerous, Cleopatra, and the bewitched Marc Antony. If they conquered them, then they would be free from all that has been done, but if they lose, then they have brought shame upon themselves (Document

1. Based on your selected book, very briefly describe the scope and focus of your historian work, then, state the historian’s thesis/core argument and sub-thesis.

Historically, the action of Antony and Cleopatra takes place over a ten-year span, whereas in the play the story is compressed to fit the needs of the stage. Antony is clearly much older than he was in Julius Caesar, and his political instincts

Antony did not have such an elite status in his play up until Caesar died, but many peasants called Antony noble throughout Julius Caesar. For example, they said, "There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony," (Shakespeare 3.2.114). Thus, Antony was considered noble even by the common man. His noble reputation was further established by his devout commitment to Caesar. Antony's loyalty to Caesar is first made apparent when he offers Caesar the crown. Casca exclaimed, "I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown," (Shakespeare 1.2.236-237) which is a simple gesture with a powerful message. It shows the people that Antony is no foe to Caesar and wishes to see his friend succeed as leader. No jealousy or scheme to overthrow Caesar was hinted at by Antony. Moreover, he vouched to die when Caesar did: "I shall not find myself so apt to die; No place will please me

It is very obvious when reading both passages that whilst Plutarch and Octavian had similar but also differing opinions about Mark Anthony and his relationship with Cleopatra, they are both guilty of putting their own negative spin on the situation. They both use different approaches to the subject but the end result is the same. Anthony is portrayed as a man who has lost his way and in doing so, has sunk to the lowest levels of society .The one thing they both agree on, is that Cleopatra had a very negative effect on Anthony

The book “Cleopatra Egypt’s Last and Greatest Queen” by Susan Blackaby was a fascinating book about Cleopatra fighting over Egypt with Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian, and many other ancient egyptian and roman pharaohs. Cleopatra went through a lot of obstacles to become a great queen of Egypt. Cleopatra was brave, intelligent, and respectful and that's what made Cleopatra a great queen of Egypt. The book “Cleopatra Egypt’s Last and Greatest Queen” has a lot of themes about the impact or change in the course of history.

Antony is also a good friend of Caesar, but unlike Brutus, is not a conspirator and cares for Caesar more than Brutus. When he gives his speech, he is trying to provoke hatred and fury from the audience to get supporters to hunt down and kill the conspirators. His speech is also brimming with fallacies and literary devices, but he uses facts to persuade the audience that Caesar was the ruler they all loved and when he was killed they did not do anything for him. Antony’s speech persuades the fickle crowd to switch sides again and support Antony. He expects this reaction too because he is prepared to take action immediately. He also feels that he will avenge Caesar and that he has done

While their original friendship started out at a political meeting, it was later formed into one of the greatest love stories of all times. According to The Ancient World, "the political significance of this meeting was underscored by the establishment of a personal relationship that would capture the imagination of subsequent generations" (Wildin 75). Antony began to pursue Cleopatra, and they quickly fell in love. He left his current wife Octavia for Cleopatra, which caused the Roman citizens to question if he was a good leader and always doing the right thing. According to an article found on Antony, it says that "Antony wanted funds and supplies from Egypt to assist him in his conflict with the Parthians, and Cleopatra longed to restore the original boundaries of the Ptolemaic kingdom", ("Mark Antony" 2). They used each other for benefits and quickly became an unstoppable team. As described in The Ancient World, "there was now no retreating from their personal and political alliance: politics and love became one." (Wildin 75). Antony even had a ceremony where Cleopatra was given the title the "Queen of Kings" and their kids received titles as well (Mark Antony 2).

When Cleopatra was having trouble with her brother, Ptolemy XIII, she saw Julius Caesar as a valuable ally in her fight for the throne. She ordered a servant to wrap her in a carpet so she could sneak into the palace and present herself to him. It is said that “the gesture won over Rome’s future dictator-for-life”. Julius accepted to help her and they became intimate and had a child together. Unfortunately, Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. After his death Cleopatra formed a political and romantic partnership with Roman general, Mark Antony. They had three children together, and opposed an enemy named Octavian. In 30 B.C., Mark Antony was captured and forced to kill himself by Octavian. This resulted in Cleopatra’s death when she committed suicide after hearing that Mark Antony was

There are plenty of beauty remedies ancient Egyptians used to use to keep their body looking flawless, youthful, and glowing and one person that is very famous for her looks was Cleopatra, and was due to her beauty remedies.

Though Cleopatra is guilty of being disloyal, she also falls victim to some acts of betrayal and loyalty throughout the play. Cleopatra in fact, feels as though Marc Antony in the beginning of the play- or at least feels has betrayed her as though Marc Antony will show minimal loyalty to her. Cleopatra expresses these feelings in a conversation with Marc Antony:

The audience is privy to a private conversation in Caesar’s home between Caesar and Lepidus, who were the other two thirds of the “triple pillar of the world” – the triumvirate. The triumvirate were a powerful political and military force; they ruled the Roman Empire after the murder of Julius Caesar. During this conversation, they discuss Antony’s debauched life and his former greatness in Caesar’s home where Caesar feels free to express his opinions honestly and he declares that Antony is “a man who is abstract of all faults” and someone who would “give a kingdom for mirth.” This shows us how far he has fallen in Caesar’s eyes as his tone would be scathing and I imagine he would be pacing as he ranted about Antony