'Cynicism and Idealism in Antony and Cleopatra'

'Of all of Shakespeargons plays, Antony and Cleopatra is the one that more or less dramatically reveals the contend betwixt cynicism and noble-mindedness. In the play, Shakespeare uses capital of Italy as a image for cynicism, which he oftentimes summons to as politics, and Egypt to refer to the nonions of idealism. This mesh between capital of Italy and Egypt makes up the central conflict of the play and drives the characters towards nigh of their actions. Characters in Antony and Cleopatra prominently associate Rome and Egypt with competing points of view (Hirsch, p.175). This is patronage the fact that, obviously, Romans are capable of idealism and Egyptians capable of corporealism. though Egypt did non pass water the same pertain on European hi score that Rome had, to trend that Egypt had a history of atrocious political index number and that its rulers must go been capable of practice very hardheaded and cynical decisions is to ignore history. It is this ver y real history that drives the story line in the play. In fact, had Antony and Cleopatra non been rulers of their respective realms, and, therefore, symbols of cynicism and idealism, their admire affair would non have been tragic. Antony would not have been censured for locomote prey to Cleopatras charms, he would not have been expect to marry some other woman, and he whitethorn have triumphed in the rasetual affair to rule Rome. However, by falling in love with Cleopatra, Antonys Roman cynicism locomote prey to idealism, and he can perennial be vigour more than a pragmatic politician. Therefore, it is discipline that, Under the closet of historical necessity Voluptas must lose, whether stand for by Cleopatra or Falstaff; but the frustration is not the hands-down and obvious upshot of a ethical motive play (Kermode, p. 1345). On the contrary, throughout the play, even though the interview knows the outcome, there is a constant tightness between idealism and cynici sm, and a constant strain most which one should prevail.\nIt is most-valuable to...'