FREE ESSAY ON SHAKESPEARE'S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

SHAKESPEARE'S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Nature, described as mysterious and secretive, is a recurrent theme throughout
Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra, the ill-fated queen of Egypt, is both
mysterious and secretive, and her emotional power is above and beyond nature's great
strength. Whether described in a positive or in a negative manner, both nature and
Cleopatra are described as being "great natural forces." Throughout the first act, the
two are compared and contrasted by various characters in the play. 
The first act, set in Alexandria, Egypt, sets the stage for the play and presents the
majority of the actors. Scene two introduces one of the major themes of the play, Nature.
This scene has two of Cleopatra's close friends and one of Antony's discussing her and
Antony's life. Charmian, one of Cleopatra's best friends, Alexas, one of Cleopatra's
servants (as well as the link between her and Antony), Enobarbus, one of Antony's trusted
Lieutenants, as well as a Soothsayers are all present and discussing their fortunes.
During this discussion, the Soothsayer states, " In Nature's infinite book of secrecy A
little I can read" (1.2 9-10). The Soothsayer explains to the others that there is little
she can do outside of not only her powers, but also what nature allows her to. One of the
first references to nature and the mystery that revolves around it, this quote simply
demonstrates how little power the people have over something as great as nature. Nature
and the elements surrounding it are simply a mystery to the people of Rome. In his
discussion with his commanding Lieutenant, Enobarbus refers to Cleopatra, the queen of
Egypt and Antony's soon-to- be lover, as a great natural force that is above nature's
powers. Antony states, "She is cunning past man's thought" (1.2 152). This statement is
then followed by Enobarbus' statement about Cleopatra: "…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 re- port. This cannot be
cunning in her; if it be, she makes a show'r of rain as well as Jove" (1.2 153-158). In
this quote, Enobarbus shows great respect and admiration towards Cleopatra. Not only does
he defend her from Antony's statement, but also he regards her with such high esteem that
he compares her to Jove, the ruler of the gods in charge of rain, thunder, and lightning.
In the latter part of the play, Cleopatra affirms the claim made by Enobarbus stating
that her powers are greater that nature's. Cleopatra states, "Ah, dear, if I be so, From
my cold heart let heaven engender hail, And poison it in the source, and the first stone
Drop in my neck;" (3.13 161-164). In her discussion with Antony, Cleopatra is openly
asserting her "supernatural" powers that she believes she has. Not only does she believe
she has supernatural powers, but she also believes that she is Egypt. Throughout the
first act, various characters claim and make references to Cleopatra as being "Egypt"
itself. These claims are later affirmed several times towards the end of the play. In his
discussion with Lepidus and Pompey, Antony states, "The higher Nilus swells. The more it
promises," (2.7 20-21). In referring to Egypt and its conditions, Antony has made the
comparison between Cleopatra and Egypt. In this quote, Antony states two things: That
Egypt rises and falls along with Cleopatra, and Cleopatra is comparable to the nature of
Egypt. This statement not only makes the comparison between Cleopatra and Egypt, but by
Antony thoughtlessly stating that Cleopatra "is Egypt", he reaffirms Cleopatra's great
natural strength. 
In Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, nature, the elements surrounding it and its
mystery are continuously compared to Cleopatra. In several instances in the play, we see
Cleopatra's strength over God's natural powers. Throughout the first act as well as in
the latter acts of the play, references are made to both nature and to Cleopatra's powers
over it.