Antony And Cleopatra Essays - Cultural Depictions Of Cleopatra

Antony And Cleopatra Essays - Cultural Depictions Of Cleopatra Antony and Cleopatra In Shakespeare's tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers. In the first two Acts of the play we are introduced to some of the problems and dilemmas facing the couple (such as the fact that they are entwined in an adulterous relationship, and that both of them are forced to show their devotion to Caesar). Along with being introduced to Antony and Cleopatra's strange love affair, we are introduced to some interesting secondary characters. One of these characters is Enobarbus. Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony's army who it seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with Antony, and often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. We see Antony confiding in Enobarbus in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony explains how Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought" (I.ii.146). In reply to this Enobarbus speaks very freely of his view of Cleopatra, even if what he says is very positive: ...her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. (I, ii, 147-152) After Antony reveals that he has just heard news of his wife's death, we are once again offered an example of Enobarbus' freedom to speak his mind, in that he tells Antony to "give the gods a thankful sacrifice" (I.ii.162), essentially saying that Fulvia's death is a good thing. Obviously, someone would never say something like this unless they were in very close company. While acting as a friend and promoter of Antony, Enobarbus lets the audience in on some of the myth and legend surrounding Cleopatra. Probably his biggest role in the play is to exaggerate Anthony and Cleopatra's relationship. Which he does so well in the following statements: When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. (II.ii.188-189) The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the water: the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed that The winds were lovesick with them; the oars were silver, (II.ii.193-197) And, for his ordinary, pays his heart For what his eyes eat only. (II.ii.227-228) Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety.... (II.ii.237-238) In these passages, Enobarbus turns Antony's and Cleopatra's meeting into a fairy tale and leads the audience into believing the two are inseparable. His speeches in Act II are absolutely vital to the play in that this is what Shakespeare wants the audience to view Antony and Cleopatra. Also, in these passages, Cleopatra is described as irresistible and beautiful beyond belief another view that is necessary for us to believe in order to buy the fact that a man with so much to lose would be willing to risk it all in order to win her love. Quite possibly, these passages may hint that Enobarbus is himself in love with Cleopatra. After all, it would be hard to come up with such flowery language if a person were not inspired. Enobarbus may be lamenting his own passions vicariously through the eyes of Antony. This would be convenient in questioning Enobarbus' loyalty, which becomes very important later on in the play (considering he kills himself over grief from fearing he betrayed his leader). The loyalty of Enobarbus is indeed questionable. Even though we never hear him utter a single disparaging remark against Antony, he does admit to Menas that he "will praise any man that will praise me" (II.iii.88), suggesting that his honor and loyalty may just be simple brown-nosing. Shakespeare probably fashioned Enobarbus as a means of relaying information to the audience that would otherwise be difficult or awkward to bring forth from other characters (such as Cleopatra's beauty and the story of her betrayal of Caesar), but he also uses him as way to inject some levity and humor in the play, showing the characters eagerness to have a good time. Evidence of this comes in Enobarbus' affinity for drunkenness. In both Act I and Act

Quotes About Being Aloneâ€but Not Lonely

Quotes About Being Alone- but Not Lonely Some people find it unnerving to be left alone when there are far too many uncomfortable dimensions to the solitude. Yet being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. For instance, assume you are left alone with your thoughts. If you find peace in solitude, your time alone may be a blessing, a welcome respite from the cares of the world. The right quotes show that being alone- far from being lonely- provides a chance to reflect on life. Buddha All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. Henry David Thoreau I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. Ann Landers It is far better to be alone than to wish you were. Warsan Shire My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude. Marilyn Monroe I restore myself when Im alone. Its better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone- so far. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone. Julie Delpy Too many women throw themselves into romance because they’re afraid of being single, then start making compromises and losing their identity. I won’t do that. Thomas Merton If we seek paradise outside ourselves, we cannot have paradise in our hearts.Wayne Dyer You cannot be lonely if you like the person youre alone with. John Steinbeck All great and precious things are lonely. Blaise Pascal All mens miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone. James Dean Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and thats all you have. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying. George Washington It is better to be alone than in bad company. Dr. Seuss All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something youll be quite a lot. Dalai Lama Spend some time alone every day. African Proverb It is better to travel alone than with a bad companion. Jules Renard If you are afraid of being lonely, dont try to be right. Suzanne Gordon To be alone is to be different, to be different is to be alone. Charles Caleb Colton To dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than their own hearts in their closet. Alain de Botton Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that were written because authors couldnt find anyone to talk to. Georg Trakl For whoever is lonely there is a tavern. Paul Tillich Language...has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone. Jose Garcia Villa No more truth. Bells ring no more in me. I am all alone singly. Lonely rests my head. O my God! I am dead. Pearl S. Buck The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration. Vicki Baum Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice-cold and lonely as the North Pole. Anonymous I think Id do better on my own, no friends, no fights, just me alone. Christopher Morley Beauty is ever to the lonely mind a shadow fleeting; she is never plain. She is a visitor who leaves behind the gift of grief, the souvenir of pain. Hafiz of Persia â€Å"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.† Ancient Chinese Proverb â€Å"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless or time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.† Mandy Hale â€Å"A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone.† Dr. Wayne Dyer You cannot be lonely if you like the person youre alone with. Joseph F. Newton â€Å"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.†