Cleaopatra's Infinite Variety is Reflected in the Language She Uses

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Cleaopatra's Infinite Variety is Reflected in the Language She Uses

In my essay I will take 'infinite variety' and use it to describe

Cleopatra's changing personality. From the outskirts of the play she

is seen as being an unstable character, but emphasises various

different characteristics, which I will explore, using the language

she uses. The passages I will cover will be the messengers bad news,

the messengers return and Cleopatra's conversation with her ladies in

waiting. Her 'infinite variety' can be reflected well in these three

passages.

Cleopatra is initially portrayed to us as being deeply in love with

Antony as she is constantly worrying over him. 'Antony' dead'

Cleopatra says this to the messenger in Act two Scene five, this shows

her anticipation and love for Antony as she jumps to the conclusion

that he is dead. This brings a sense of dramatic irony to the play, as

the audience is aware of Cleopatra' love for Antony may be too

intense.

Cleopatra waits to hear the news about Antony from the messenger; she

uses metaphorical language to make it clear to the messenger that he

should not bring bad news. 'Thou shoulds't come like a fury crown'd

with snakes, not like a formal man'. This is a sign that she can be

easily angered, the metaphor she uses illustrates that she may be

ready for bad news as she knows Antony has been away in Rome away on

business. Cleopatra's use of hyperbole emphasises her obsession with

Antony and all that surrounds him, words such as 'fury crown'd with

snakes' is also an example of this but Shakespeare intertwines

personification and hyperbole together to imply Cleopatra's frustrated

temper. In parallel to her anger she quickly says 'I'll set thee in a

shower of gold and hail rich pearls upon thee' implying that she

doesn't want to hear any bad news or else he may face punishment, this

gives the messenger the option to either make Cleopatra upset by

telling her the truth or to lie to her and please her as everyone

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