Shakespeare's Use of Language in Antony and Cleopatra Essay

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.

   In Othello, Shakespeare explores the relationship between words and events. Spoken thought, in the play, has all the power of action; speaking about an event will make that event become reality for those who hear - it will affect reality as if that event had taken place. Shakespeare demonstrates the power of words poignantly through Othello's monologues. Othello struggles with the reality that Iago creates for him. When Othello speaks, he reveals that he is unable to stop himself from carrying out acts that Iago's and his own words have prophesied and initiated. Othello's monologues further demonstrate that even the knowledge of the power of words cannot protect the characters from the

Language Techniques in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Shakespeare used a variety of language techniques throughout Hamlet,

Many Elizabethan bedsides were haunted from “the terrors of the night”. Back then their ghosts were nothing like the pasty blobs we call ghosts now. Theirs were quite gruesome. Ghostly visitations were claimed to have been very unpleasant. Not only this, but they claimed it cast them into a state of spiritual confusion.

Cleopatra, Greek queen of Egypt, was born at the beginning of 69 B.C and one of the few women rulers in ancient Egypt. Her father was Ptolemy XII And Cleopatra was the last pharaoh in Egypt. She is known as clever, covetous, skilled, beguiling and manipulative. Cleopatra’s physical features are not certain and there is not enough information about her profile. “The colour of her eyes and of her hair is not known; nor can it be said whether her skin was white as alabaster, like that of many of her Macedonian fellow countrywomen, or whether it had that olive tone so often observed amongst the Greeks. Even her beauty, or rather the degree of her beauty, is not clearly defined.” Cleopatra was born at the finish of the Ptolemaic dynasty, because,

Women in Shakespearian plays have always had important roles. Whether they create the main conflicts and base of the plays, or bring up interesting proper and cultural questions, they have always been put in challenging situations. Some women are stronger than others, and their effect on the play is different for each one. One woman who plays a very important role in Shakespeare's plays is Cleopatra, in Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra is the dominant force in the play. Cleopatra takes on masculine qualities such as being bold, `alternative masculinity' and manhood of stronger determination. She is also viewed as a perfectionist. During the play many critics notice that Cleopatra and Antony switch roles, by Cleopatra acting more masculine, and Antony acting more feminine. Antony becomes jealous of Cleopatra because sometimes she acts more masculine than he does. Cleopatra is not dependant on anyone. Some critics say that Shakespeare discriminated against women because of his actions. He did not allow women to have a role in his play, nor let them have any say in his writings. He had boys or men play the parts of women until later on in his playwriting. Shakespeare favored men during his time period and was also very sexist.

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

In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses figurative language to show Romeo’s infatuation with Juliet as he is banished from the town of Verona and considers it better to be dead than banished. Romeo, a Montague, has just married Juliet, a member of the Capulet household, when Romeo’s kinsman Mercutio gets in a fight with Juliet’s kinsman Tybalt. Romeo tries to break up the fight, but Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm and kills him. An angry Romeo retaliates and kills Tybalt, and he becomes banished by the Prince -- a very gracious punishment. However, when Romeo receives the news of his banishment, he is not delighted and prefers death over banishment because he will not be able to see Juliet. On the topic of his banishment,

In addition to the contribution of establishing Shakespeare’s authorship, Pavier and Jaggard largely protected Shakespeare’s manuscripts and presented more authentic works of Shakespeare by referring widely to the resources they could get assessed. Their method of editing could be considered as “critical editing”, which aims to represent the author’s final intention by comparative analysis of multiple texts(Evenden, 2016, p.54-55). Most of the Folio text, according to Jowett(2007), involve a more complicated cross- fertilization, which means the Folio texts must have absorbed various copies of previous quartos and theatrical manuscript to include longer passages(p. 77). The more complicated work of the printers, the direct or indirect referring

For many, seeking true love is the ultimate form of success. Some people however, must encounter obstacles to find their one and only true lover whom they wish to spend the rest of their lives with. In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, two teenagers blinded by love must overcome the feud between their families to eventually marry, and reach their goal to live their lives happily ever after. Sadly enough, Romeo and Juliet are not able to reach their ambition for they are both fatally put to eternal rest. Romeo’s relationship with Juliet is described as moving too quickly can lead to a tragic end.

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 role of language in Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” is quite significant. To Miranda and Prospero the use of language is a means to knowing oneself. Caliban does not view language in the same light. Prospero taught Caliban to speak, but instead of creating the feeling of empowerment from language, Caliban reacts in insurrectionary manner. Language reminds him how different he is from Miranda and Prospero, and also how they have changed him. It also reminds him of how he was when he wasn’t a slave. He resents Prospero for “Civilising” him, because in doing so he took away his freedom.

The power of language holds great significance not only in Shakespearean study but of our daily lives as well. Every nuance Shakespeare creates leaves a clue to a greater truth or understanding of our humanity. Exploring the works of Shakespeare with this in mind allows for audiences to gain more appreciation and awareness of the depth of language and communication through his dialogue and characters as Shakespeare: “asks us to adorn the actor with our thoughts and ‘carry them here and there, jumping o’er the times’” (Bevington xiii).

Along with the sound or rhythm of the play, Shakespeare?s vocabulary makes his plays more intriguing and very expressive. He introduced thousands of words into our language. It is hard for people today to understand some of the things Shakespeare said, because ?many words have fallen out of use, and in others the meaning has migrated, often a considerable distance?

Impressions of Egypt and Rome in First Two Scenes of Antony and Cleopatra In the first two scenes of Antony and Cleopatra, we are introduced to Egypt and Rome through the images and language used by the characters in the play. Although the contrast between the two countries is emphasised, we are also shown the way in which the two cultures are often merged by the presence of the Romans in the Egyptian environment. Egypt is predominantly presented to us as a liberal, hedonistic society, where precedence is given to banquets and pleasure-seeking, and it is full of female characteristics. On the other hand, Rome is an extremely masculine, military-based society.