For Friday: Critical Readings Antony
* Read Adelman’s
“Tradition as Source in Antony and Cleopatra” (180-192) and Dollimore’s
“Virtus under Erasure” (193-203)
Answer 2 of the following:
Q1: Adelman’s essay
explains that the story of Dido and Aeneas (from Virgil’s The Aeneid,
the great Roman epic poem) shapes the characters and conflict of Antony and
Cleopatra. How did Shakespeare’s reading of this work, as well as the
retellings of this work by Marlowe and others, influence how he wrote his
characters and presented their story?
Q2: Adelman also suggests
in her essay that Elizabethan audiences would be expected to read parts of the
play—or the characters—allegorically. How does she suggest we do this? How
might this change how we read or experience the play?
Q3: Dollimore’s essay
concerns itself chiefly with the idea that “power is a function not of the
‘person’...but of the ‘place’, and that the criterion for reward is not intrinsic
to the ‘performance’ but, again, relative to one’s placing in the power
structure” (196). How does this idea help us read Antony
Q4: Another quote that
underlines Dollimore’s essential reading of the play comes on page 201, when he
writes, “The extent of people’s dependence upon the powerful is something that
the play never allows us to forget.” How does he explain this idea in the play
itself? How does it shape the events and actions of the main characters?
I'm going to be real honest, when I read these essays, I didn't really understand what either scholar was talking about because I never read any of the previous pieces of material they were referring to. So, I'm going to try and answer these to the best of my abilities...
ReplyDeleteQ3: Dollimore makes a good point here on the downfall of Antony's power. Antony was a man of great power for all of the good things that he did for Rome. Dollimore gives evidence that Antony did not do it for the greater of the country, but for the power and good wealth that came from it. We must be able to understand that Antony is not saddened by the fact that he no longer is considered a hero, because he did good for the country. He is saddened, because he lost all of the wealth and recognition that came with being a hero. ???
Q4: I personally think this is distributed in Act 5. At least, that is where I see it the most. When Caesar and Cleopatra are conversing, and Cleopatra continues to beg Caesar for so many things so she doesn't seem powerless to anyone. Caesar, being the ruler of Rome, has never once been a man to bow down and give his authority over to a woman so he never gives in to her banters and wishes. He makes her believe so, just because that is the type of ruler he is. These two characters thrive on power and recognition from around the world, and they will do anything not to give it up. ???
-Jessica Johnson
The trick to reading a critical essay is not to feel you have to understand everything; just try to follow one idea or train of thought. Neither essay requires you to know anything about Dido and Aeneas, or Marlowe, or anything else; the essay provides enough context so you can follow the argument, so don't give up when you encounter strange works. Overall, though, good work!
DeleteI'm with Jessica. These essays are harder to read than Shakespeare's stuff.
ReplyDeleteq3. Antony is obsessed with reasserting his sense of himself as a great, noble, man. That's a contradiction because rather than being the great man he seeks to be, he is so infatuated with becoming that person that he eventually completely neglects it entirely. His sexual needs/wants are satisfied as a first priority. He dwells on the youthfulness of Caesar in comparison to his own age.
q4. Dollimore gives an example of this by speaking about Cleopatra beating up her messenger and asking Seleucus to lie for her but blatantly telling him to tell the truth at the same time. He finishes this section by saying "to kiss away kingdoms is to kiss away also the lives of thousands" which makes me think of when Cleopatra kills herself at the end. Not only is she giving up her riches, but she's possibly giving up the lives of all her "children" or her people.
Great responses!
DeleteQ1: Shakespeare's reading of Dido and Aeneas was represented through Antony and Cleopatra's own choices. They appeared to be mirror images. The fight for the kingdom, battles of love and conquest of each other's heart, and at the end the untimely suicides. Understanding the background stories gives rise to the setting for which Shakespear's plays take place. His plays bring history through previous knowledge and the stage is already set through epic poems and myths. Understanding previous representations, as well as underlying themes, brings to life the present characters, Antony and Cleopatra, in a different context. The incorporation of mythology brings a supernatural aspect that places Antony and Cleopatra above their current roles. It heightens not only their actions but also their representation as symbols of not only deities but also their own countries. I was able to reposition Antony and Cleopatra as Venus and Mars, respectively, to show how Antony embraces the love over war scheme and fall from his honorable title of general.
ReplyDeleteQ2: Looking at the play allegorically means the audience knows the stories and tales of ancient time and are able to not only interpret the underlying meanings but also the double symbolisms of the characters and their actions. By understanding this, the audience knows that Antony and Cleopatra are more than main characters. They are figureheads, icons, symbols, myths, and in one certain aspect frauds and failures. For the two powerful characters to fall short not just once but multiple times shows some failure in leadership and honor. They are constantly struggling in their appearance and upkeep to maintain composure and sound mind through their own tantrums and whining.For the former audience this was amusing and empowering.
Great responses!
DeleteQ2: It is very true that Elizabethan audiences would have read the play in an entirely different way than we do. Most of us are unfamiliar with the love story of Venus and Mars or Dido and Aeneas. Adelman suggests that to understand Antony and Cleopatra, we must understand "the play insists we see all perspectives at once" (192). As a modern audience, we must step back and look at the play from the perspective of Aeneas and Dido, Venus and Mars, and as an Elizabethan audience. Only then can we understand Shakespeare's work a little better.
ReplyDeleteQ3: Antony's downfall comes about because he is not in the right place. To be the powerful, respected warrior Antony he must be in Rome. When he is in Egypt, he is Cleopatra's Antony; he is conquered and dominated by a woman. Cleopatra realizes this, and that is why she kills herself to avoid being taken to Rome. In Egypt, she is a goddess; in Rome, she is a whore. She understands power comes with where you are.
P.S. These responses are very late, so I just want to apologize. I would rather go ahead and answer rather than never respond. My apologies once again!
I can't give you credit for these (but you're allowed to miss 2 without penalty), but answering them will help you on the paper assignment. Good work, otherwise!
ReplyDelete