Motivation for the Suicides of Antony and Cleopatra:
Motivation for the Suicides of Antony and Cleopatra: At the heart of the play lies the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra which develops against the background of political conflicts, and ultimately brings the protagonists to suicide. The expressions of adoration of each other by the protagonists throughout the play and especially in the culmination scenes suggest that their motivations to die spring from their love of each other. However, Cleopatra's theatricality and Antony's sporadic disregard of her result in the divergence of critical opinions concerning the genuineness of their love. Moreover, by placing their relationship in the context of political clashes between the Roman Empire and Egypt, Shakespeare gives grounds for the alternative interpretation that their resolutions to commit suicide are brought about by politics rather than love. The opposing views of Antony's motivation to kill himself are Cleopatra's sham death versus his defeat by Octavius Caesar; and of Cleopatra's motivation to kill herself are Antony's death versus her fear of her impending humiliation by Caesar. However, close reading of the play reveals that Shakespeare does not really accentuate either of the two possib
] How pathetic and even sublime the completeness of his love for Cleopatra! [. At the time when Cleopatra wrangles with Caesar she is disarmed and surrounded by soldiers, which deprives her of the possibility of killing herself. Some critics erroneously take one strict position, disregarding other possible interpretations. This dying speech suggests that, although the false news of Cleopatra's death has encouraged him to commit suicide, his defeat by Caesar played no lesser part in his decision. In his turn, Mason chooses the only correct strategy - he does not refute Bradley's viewpoint but only calls it into question. (77-78) Furthermore, in order to support his point Bradley quotes the following speech:Antony: I am dying, Egypt, dying; only I here importunate death awhile, until Of many thousand kisses the poor last I lay upon thy lips. 44-50)We have seen that just a few minutes ago Antony was giving in to the extremes of rage; even threatened to kill Cleopatra for her betrayal of him and her alliance with Caesar. Bradley's view cannot be proved without discarding those fragments of the play which testify against it. " Throughout the play Shakespeare employs high poetic language in Antony's declarations of his love for Cleopatra. What brings Bradley to this conclusion is, likely, the fact that Cleopatra shows signs of hesitation in following Antony "after the high Roman fashion. 18-21)Ultimately Bradley comes to the perfunctory conclusion that "[Antony] is more than love's pilgrim; he is love's martyr. Acquaintance with Cleopatra has transformed him completely, (but not irretrievably).
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Acceptance Essays
