Techniques on Cleopatra and Anthony Powerplay
Elective 2: Powerplay – Antony & Cleopatra
Consider representations of and the interplay of types of power
Analyse portrayals of the powerful
Consider how the depiction of particular relationships provides insight into the nature of politics
Consider the extent to which power resides with the people
Techniques
Suspense
Delays entry of main characters and Caesar
Caesar powerful- delayed entrance- magnifies his power for audience (dramatic technique)
Soothsayer foreshadowing/foretelling
“You shall outlive the lady whom you serve” (Cleopatra’s death)
“I thou dost play with him at any game, thou art sure to lose” (Antony’s fall to Caesar)
Soliloquy- dramatic monologue climatic- heightened sense of the character’s soul being laid bare
Antony berating himself for not being strong enough to break the ties with Cleopatra- stupid enough to follow her ships
Foreshadowing his own death – “O’ Sun, thy uprise shall I see no more”
Sounds of battle
Cannon fire, trumpets, drums – dramatizes it, makes it more realistic
Dramatic terms- limited by stage, can’t have proper battle scene
Symbol of warfare
Dialogue
Cleopatra’s power over Antony seen when Antony tries to tell Cleopatra about Fulvia, but she constantly cuts him off.
Eg. “now, my dearest queen – “ ; “Cleopatra – “ ; “Most sweet queen – “ ; “Hear me queen:”
Dashes used to signal when he is being cut off and Cleopatra’s speech takes over
Trumpet flourishes/fanfares
Represents Caesar’s power
Ambiguity
“But stirred by Cleopatra” – moved by her emotionally and sexually
Simile
So extensive are the lands involved that on many occasions the word ‘world’ is employed with regard to the central characters eg Fulvia: “Wars twixt you twain would be As if the world should cleave”
Animal References
Horses:
“oh happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!”
“he did’st drink the stale of horses”
Caesar describes himself and Antony as two war-horses that could not ‘stall together’
Snakes:
Consider representations of and the interplay of types of power
Analyse portrayals of the powerful
Consider how the depiction of particular relationships provides insight into the nature of politics
Consider the extent to which power resides with the people
Techniques
Suspense
Delays entry of main characters and Caesar
Caesar powerful- delayed entrance- magnifies his power for audience (dramatic technique)
Soothsayer foreshadowing/foretelling
“You shall outlive the lady whom you serve” (Cleopatra’s death)
“I thou dost play with him at any game, thou art sure to lose” (Antony’s fall to Caesar)
Soliloquy- dramatic monologue climatic- heightened sense of the character’s soul being laid bare
Antony berating himself for not being strong enough to break the ties with Cleopatra- stupid enough to follow her ships
Foreshadowing his own death – “O’ Sun, thy uprise shall I see no more”
Sounds of battle
Cannon fire, trumpets, drums – dramatizes it, makes it more realistic
Dramatic terms- limited by stage, can’t have proper battle scene
Symbol of warfare
Dialogue
Cleopatra’s power over Antony seen when Antony tries to tell Cleopatra about Fulvia, but she constantly cuts him off.
Eg. “now, my dearest queen – “ ; “Cleopatra – “ ; “Most sweet queen – “ ; “Hear me queen:”
Dashes used to signal when he is being cut off and Cleopatra’s speech takes over
Trumpet flourishes/fanfares
Represents Caesar’s power
Ambiguity
“But stirred by Cleopatra” – moved by her emotionally and sexually
Simile
So extensive are the lands involved that on many occasions the word ‘world’ is employed with regard to the central characters eg Fulvia: “Wars twixt you twain would be As if the world should cleave”
Animal References
Horses:
“oh happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!”
“he did’st drink the stale of horses”
Caesar describes himself and Antony as two war-horses that could not ‘stall together’
Snakes: