Antony and Cleopatra: Shakespearean Connotation

      In Shakespeare's interpretation of the tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra, there is the constant struggle of trustworthiness and loyalty. But really? How is Shakespeare able to develop these characters far enough to make the determination of where their loyalties lie? The answer is connotation. Shakespeare is continually molding the audience's mind to feel a certain way about either Antony or Cleopatra. I believe that, more often than not, Cleopatra has been portrayed negatively as a controlling person that is only holding Antony back. It seems as though Antony is a very progressive character from what I have read so far and this not only explains why he is always feuding with Cleopatra but also his power struggle involving the triumvirate and his lady problems.

      As Antony was being introduced I could tell from the beginning that he was significant considering that he is one of the three leaders of the Roman Empire and a proven soldier. His reputation proceeds from his political stamina as a nobleman with righteous virtues. His presence in Egypt, however, tells us that he's neglecting his own state and shows his less noble side. This is one of the few occasions that Shakespeare allows the audience to view his protagonist as anything but perfect. I believe that the comparison of Antony-in-Rome with Antony-in-Egypt isn’t a set up of good versus evil rather it’s just two different examples of a way a man can live his life. In this case, Cleopatra and her conniving ways cannot always influence Antony because he leaves all of that behind him when he is in Rome because it does not matter, he knows what his true priorities are. Besides, what happens in Egypt should stay in Egypt and I believe that Antony has been respecting that philosophy.

      Meanwhile, as the scenes continue switching, the setting continues confusing, and the plot continues to thicken, Antony somehow always being controlled either by Cleopatra or Caesar. The majority of the characters portrayed throughout this play exude personality traits that I would not consider befriending. Even if you only look at Cleopatra on the surface, she is a power-hungry whore, I mean just look at her romantic past; she is the current lover to Antony, and former lover of both Julius Caesar and Pompey the Elder. Cleopatra definitely has a type and in my opinion she is constantly trying wiggle her way into the pants of the powerful and influential. I can say for sure that Cleopatra definitely has a type and not only does Shakespeare depict that but it can also be recalled from her history. Cleopatra is not all bad, she is a very well developed character that serves as an object of women in power and in love. Cleopatra is also a strategical genius, the way she is able to convince Antony that his devotion to Fulvia is incomparable to the way he is loyal to her. For example, Cleopatra said,

"So Fulvia told me.
I prithee turn aside and weep for her,
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene
Of excellent dissembling, and let it look
Like perfect honor."

In this quote Cleopatra suggests Antony’s loyalty to Fulvia was false, and claims she should expect no more loyalty than he shows to Fulvia. Multiple times Cleopatra accuses Antony of being loyal only in appearance, as he is too proud to admit that he’s simply a disloyal man. Overall, he is a weak character being controlled by a conniving power-hungry Egyptian which portrays him as weaker but not necessarily negatively. The mention of Egypt also suggests that that's where Cleopatra's true loyalties lie and Antony's decisions and priorities would not sway her.

      If I didn't have to choose which character is portrayed in a more negative light, I wouldn't because overall they are weak and manipulative which will inevitably result in their rightful death. Although Antony is portrayed as a weak and easy influenced protagonist he is still a man of noble power and Cleopatra will always manipulate her way to the top of the negative connotation ladder.