The Language of Antony and Cleopatra

The Language of Antony and Cleopatra

In act 1 scene 1, Philo begins by complaining to Demetrius that

Cleopatra has transformed Antony from a great general to a whore's

fool. The scene is based on the true love affair and the romance

between the two characters. However there is an ambiguous nature to

the passage, as we are not given a clear indication of Cleopatra's

feelings, whether she is angry or whether it is all light hearted. The

scene begins with Antony and Cleopatra entering, with great drama as

Cleopatra has Eunuchs fanning her and attending her every need.

Cleopatra is pushing Antony to describe how much he loves her and this

shows her power and demand for the declaration of Antony's love.

'If it be love indeed, tell me how much.'

Antony however is calmer and softer in his language. He uses natural

imagery by comparing his love for her to the 'new heaven, new earth.'

This shows that Cleopatra is more dramatic and that Anthony is more

poetic in his choice of language. A messenger then comes from

Octavius, but Antony, clearly annoyed, commands the messenger to be

brief.

'Grates me! The sum'

This short sharp sentence expresses Antony's anger but it also

portrays the language of Rome, which is confident and direct. By

saying 'The sum' we can see that he is not interested in Roman

problems as he is too engrossed in Cleopatra and this love affair.

Cleopatra, partly mocking, partly serious, chides Antony and tells him

to hear the message. But in the end Antony refuses to hear the

message. Cleopatra speaks with sarcasm and has a mocking tone but it

can be seen that there is a clear serious undertone to that man...

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1 by Antony. He is showing that his love for her is eternal and that

it will last forever.

'There's not a minute of our lives should stretch

Without some pleasure now'

The bird like imagery used by Antony to describe Cleopatra is very

powerful and depicts her beauty and elegance as he describes her as a

'my nightingale'. Antony also makes many connections between life and

on earth and life in heaven. He suggests that Cleopatra is beyond the

gods and praises her to the fullest with descriptive and grand

language and choice of vocabulary.

In conclusion it can be seen that both characters have dramatised

language, which is imaginative and striking. The vocabulary of

Cleopatra is passionate, comprising of the Egyptian culture. Antony's

language is poetic and romantic, showing his true love for Cleopatra.