Shakespeare's Use of Language in Antony and Cleopatra

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Shakespeare's Use of Language in Antony and Cleopatra

Enobarbus uses the phrase "infinite variety" to describe the beauty

and wonder of Cleopatra to Agrippa and Maecenas in Act 2 Scene 2. In

the context of the whole play I believe it is a perfect description of

how Cleopatra uses the different aspects of her character. Shakespeare

uses language, imagery and structure to show the different sides of

her personality. This allows Cleopatra to be interpreted in many ways

by the actress and the audience.

One of the ways Shakespeare presents Cleopatra throughout the play is

as a queen. Cleopatra's language emphasises her royal status in Act 3

Scene 7 when she says "as the president of my kingdom" to Enobarbus

before the battle of Actium. Using the phrase "my kingdom" to refer to

Egypt highlights her power and authority, which is used to win the

argument with Enobarbus over her involvement in the battle. This shows

how Cleopatra changes her character to best suit the situation. In

both Antony and Cleopatra's final scenes Cleopatra is shown by

Shakespeare to be a queen rather than a woman or lover. In Act 4 Scene

14 the character of Antony says to Cleopatra "I'm dying, Egypt,

dying", this presents her as primarily a queen and a ruler. I believe

this is of further importance to Cleopatra's presentation because

Antony's death is of great significance and what is said will have

more of an impact on the audience. Shakespeare also shows Cleopatra as

a queen in her own death scene. Cleopatra desires to die in royal

clothing when in Act 5 Scene 2 she commands "Give me my robe; put on

my crown". Without any action on stage the language alone is en...

... middle of paper ...

... to refer to her as a

bad influence. However I do not think Cleopatra should be labeled a

witch because I believe she didn't intentionally hurt Antony, though

Antony's character was unfortunate to have been affected by Cleopatra

and be manipulated by her so easily. Her naturally overpowering

personality simply was not suitable to guide Antony successfully

through the problems he faced. I feel that Cleopatra's special

personality and "infinite variety", which was perfect for Egyptian

life, was not right for the tactics and military battles involved in

Antony's Roman power struggle. Cleopatra used the varying aspects of

her character to find a role in his struggle. But unfortunately for

Antony her only success was in the final scene where her deception of

Caesar allowed her suicide and reunification with her lost Antony.

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