Portraying Antony From Plutarch's Life Of Antony

When we compare Octavian’s passage, his thoughts are quite different. He believes Anthony was a man bewitched. He argues that no man in his right mind would behave in such a scandalous way .without thought or caring for his fellow noblemen. He say she is either blind or accursed and so being enslaved by her he plunges into war with all its attendant dangers which he has accepted for her sake against his country and fellow noblemen.

In the hit movie “Cleopatra”, Octavian’s character is adapted for the movie and does not precisely describe his true quality. In reality, Octavian was a brave ruler who loved to fight. “The movie portrays him in a very negative light, also showing him to be a physical coward who avoided wine, woman, and gambling” (Cane, 13). For example, Octavian is shown as weak when he does not participate in the battle of Philippi because he is sick. Although it is true that Octavian was prone to sickness, he was not a coward, and often showed significant bravery in battle. For instance, Octavian was certainly brave and determined to gain control over the Roman Empire and defeat Antony. In an epic sea battle off the coast of Southwest Greece” (Gill)”, Octavian was undoubtedly active in fighting (successfully) for his position and power. Also, Octavian is misrepresented when portrayed as stingy, never taking part in his own wars, never drinking, or concerning himself with women. In reality, for example “Octavian actually loved gambling with dice and indulged in extramarital affairs” (Cane 14). The writers and producers of the movie probably altered Octavian’s character to make a contrast and set apart his character from the other main men in the plot. The main

This causes the next shift in the plebeians. They begin to respect Antony, “There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony” (3.2.114) and want to hear more of what he has to say. Throughout Antony’s

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

Other historians, such as Cassius Dio and Horace, held similar views. Cleopatra was virtually always portrayed as a corrupting influence on Antony (Fear, 2008). This view was greatly manipulated by Octavian and the savage propaganda war he unleased against Cleopatra. Octavian strived extremely hard to paint Cleopatra in the most negative light possible and destroy her reputation. Consequently, he poured out a flood of extravagant allegations. Cleopatra was accused of being devious, calculating, manipulative, foreign and sexually crazed. According to Holland (1997), “His [Octavian’s] Queen Cleopatra was a drunken harlot, the wickedest women in the world” (p. 3). Octavian also strived to diminish Rome’s view on Egypt, rendering Rome as morally superior and

In comparison to the perceptions both Cassius and Brutus have towards Caesar, is the perspectives of Antony and Caesar of himself. Antony looked at Caesar as a friend, a role model as well as a kind and deserving leader. This notion is exemplified through the use of emotive language “O mighty Caesar! /most noble blood of all this world/ the noblest man/ That ever lived in the tide of times”. Furthermore, the use of descriptive and connotative language throughout Antony’s

A critical study of a significant aspect or aspects of Plutarch's aims and achievements as a biographer -To what extent does Plutarch achieve his aims for the lives of Marius and Caesar? We are able to establish Plutarch's aims in creating his biographies by looking at his background and influences. Plutarch was born in Greece to a wealthy established family. He was well educated, studying rhetoric in Athens, and then travelled to Rome where he established connections with some important political figures. Despite being an outsider (a Greek), Plutarch accepted Roman aristocratic tradition as well as the moralising of some key Roman figures.

Another difference between Plutarch's text and Julius Caesar, other than the tone is the content. Shakespeare omits many events from his play such as Porcia's proving of herself by self-inflicting a wound on her thigh. On the other hand, Plutarch does not go into Brutus's and Portia's conversation of Brutus's troubles. Plutarch describes Antony's great speech at Caesar's funeral, but does not capture the emotional struggle Antony went through to win the hearts of Roman citizens. Shakespeare intensely writes of the crowd's reactions to Antony's speech. "Most noble Caesar, we'll revenge his death." (Shakespeare 3.2.236). This shows that Shakespeare is displaying Antony as a heroic and brilliant defender of Caesar while Plutarch merely states that Antony was not meant to speak at all but was sent to speak after a day of discussion between the conspirators.

Rough Draft “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” - Antony. In William Shakespeare’s, “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”, Brutus betrays Julius Caesar. He ends up being persuaded into joining the conspiracy against Caesar, in order to save Rome. The conspirators end up killing Caesar at the foot of Pompey’s statue.

Augustus, formerly known as Octavian, was the adopted son of dictator Julius Caesar and Emperor or Rome. Octavian set out to destroy his father’s murderers and assembled his own army in his quest for power and retribution. At the start, he shared rule with Mark Antony, however, their collaboration proved ineffective leading Augustus to pursue more and more control, culminating in the defeat of Antony in the battle of Actium and assuming rule as Emperor of Rome. Augustus did not inherit rule, his pursuit for power comprised of manipulative actions veiled under his generosity, concern for his people and charismatic tone and tenor. Res Gestae Divi Augusti expresses a sense of self adoration and honor in his quest for power and control, yet the subtext portrays a vastly different undertone, that of use of cajoling and propagandizing messages to benefit his position and accumulation of control of the republic. This Res Gestae is Augustus’ mechanism of self-promotion and adoration for his exceptional leadership qualities, concern and respect gleaned from his citizens and senate, and his military savvy to overpower and gain peace for the Romans, thus proclaiming his reign as one of prestige and importance.

In ‘An Ancient Roman Perspective’, Gemma Wilson’s account for Rome’s feelings towards the Queen is one of great hostility. According to Wilson, “at best, the Romans viewed Cleopatra with suspicion. At worst, they hated her.” Cleopatra was of coarse despised for utilizing the two public figures of Rome’s world, Caesar initially and then Mark Antony. Peter Roberts describes how it was Octavian that initiated Rome’s hatred towards Rome, relying on ‘sexual slander’ to tarnish her reputation. Many Roman poets continued this tradition of condemnation such as Lucan in ‘Pharsalia’, referring to Cleopatra as “Egypt’s shame.” Horace continues to embellish this image; “the queen, with a contaminated gang of creatures’ in his Ode XXXVII, referring to

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:

There have been many rulers in history who have been betrayed by those they trust, but The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare,1959) still holds a special place in Western literature as one of the most enigmatic human beings to ever exist. Powerful men like Julius Caesar shaped the life and times of the late Roman Republic, just before Rome would officially become the Roman Empire on the crowning of Augustus as the first Roman emperor. Julius Caesar was a powerful general who expanded Rome's power and who was beloved by the people for his generous charity after his successful conquests. Despite knowing the story of Julius Caesar to some extent, most 16th/17th century English would not have ever visited Rome, nor would know what the Roman Republic was like, which presented a unique opportunity to William Shakespeare to create a play unlike any other he had created before. (Shakespeare Julius Caesar, 1599) Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a reimagining of Rome from a Elizabethan point of view, and despite some inaccuracies, the play depicts an enlightening view on Roman life, and the life of the Roman general, Julius Caesar.

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

Furthermore, she makes Antony “[become] her guest” (). Cleopatra uses her womanly charms, awe inspiring beauty and open sexuality, as powerful tools to seduce and attract Antony. Thus she can be  seen as this temptress or femme fatal that using her womanly charms to seduce Antony in their affair. Therefore, Anthony and Cleopatra are players on a world stage where their feelings for each other are intertwined with their struggle for power.   Another theme presented by Sparknotes is the theme of a clash between East and West, the West is represented by Caeser who is the embodiment of Rome; masculine, stoic, logical and brave, whereas the East represented by Cleopatra who is feminine, decadent, extravagant, and passionate. The clash between West and East is seen in the character of Mark Antony again, as both contend for his attention. At the end of the Battle of Actium it may appear as if West has won because Caeser is the triumphant general; however, even Cleopatra refuses to let Caeser win and be displayed as an “Egyptian puppet” for the entertainment of the Roman masses (5.2.207).     The theme of power is underlies this theme of a clash between West and East, as Octavius Caeser and Cleopatra both want