Cynicism and Idealism in Antony and Cleopatra

Of totally of Shakespeares plays, Antony and Cleopatra is the oneness that roughly dramatically reveals the engagement in the midst of cynicism and noble-mindedness. In the play, Shakespeare uses capital of Italy as a symbol for cynicism, which he frequently touch ons to as politics, and Egypt to refer to the nonions of idealism. This contrast amidst capital of Italy and Egypt makes up the central conflict of the play and drives the characters towards most of their actions. Characters in Antony and Cleopatra conspicuously associate Rome and Egypt with competing points of view (Hirsch, p.175). This is despite the situation that, obviously, Romans are capable of idealism and Egyptians capable of realism. Though Egypt did not fuck off the same cushion on European narrative that Rome had, to cut that Egypt had a invoice of tremendous policy-making power and that its rulers must prevail been capable of exercising very pragmatic and cynical decisions is to ignore history . It is this very real history that drives the story line in the play. In fact, had Antony and Cleopatra not been rulers of their individual realms, and, therefore, symbols of cynicism and idealism, their love affair would not present been tragic. Antony would not pose been censured for locomote fertilize to Cleopatras charms, he would not have been expected to marry another(prenominal) woman, and he may have triumphed in the eventual battle to rule Rome. However, by falling in love with Cleopatra, Antonys Roman cynicism falls prey to idealism, and he can lengthy be nothing more than a pragmatic politician. Therefore, it is go off that, Under the pressure of historical necessity Voluptas must lose, whether be by Cleopatra or Falstaff; only the defeat is not the light-colored and obvious matter of a morality play (Kermode, p. 1345). On the contrary, throughout the play, even though the audience knows the outcome, there is a eonian tension between idealism and cynicism, a nd a constant strain about which one should prevail.\nIt is important to...