Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and CleopatraIn Shakespeare's tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers. In
the first two Acts of the play we are introduced to some of the
problems and dilemmas facing the couple (such as the fact that they
are entwined in an adulterous relationship, and that both of them are
forced to show their devotion to Caesar). Along with being introduced
to Antony and Cleopatra's strange love affair, we are introduced to
some interesting secondary characters. One of these characters is
Enobarbus. Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony's army who it
seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way
Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with
Antony, and often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. We
see Antony confiding in Enobarbus in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony
explains how Cleopatra is "cunning past man's thought" (I.ii.146). In
reply to this Enobarbus speaks very freely of his view of Cleopatra,
even if what he says is very positive:
...her passions are made of
nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot
call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are
greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report.
This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a
shower of rain as well as Jove.
(I, ii, 147-152)
After Antony reveals that he has just heard news of his wife's
death, we are once again offered an example of Enobarbus' freedom to
speak his mind, in that he tells Antony to "give the gods a thankful
sacrifice" (I.ii.162), essentially saying that Fulvia's death is a
good thing. Obviously, someone would never say something like this
unless they were in very close company. While acting as a friend and
promoter of Antony, Enobarbus lets the audience in on some of the myth
and legend surrounding Cleopatra. Probably his biggest role in the
play is to exaggerate Anthony and Cleopatra's relationship. Which he
does so well in the following statements:
When she first met Mark Antony, she
pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.
(II.ii.188-189)
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne,
Burned on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
The winds were lovesick with them; the oars were
silver,
(II.ii.193-197)
And, for his ordinary, pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only.
(II.ii.227-228)
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety....
(II.ii.237-238)
In these passages, Enobarbus turns Antony's and...
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