Hi everyone,
As promised, here's those notes I showed today. Hope it helps, let me know if you have any questions. Have a crack at other paragraphs!
Discuss Shakespeare’s
dramatic presentation of Egypt in the play ‘Antony & Cleopatra’.
Possible
topics to cover:
What characterises Egypt?
Cleopatra
Excess without restraint
Wealth & Luxury - exotics
Fleshly pursuits (Food, sensuality, & entertainment)
Pleasure
Danger
Change & deception
Immorality
Mysticism / godlessness / paganism
(Egyptian gods)
What makes these characteristics stand out?
Contrast with Rome; juxtaposed
through structure of scene arrangement
Language focuses, interests
Drama, passion, emotion
Emphasis on Egypt as a location for
play’s action
Imagery
Its effect on others, particularly
Antony
Other considerations:
Gender powers (Rome is dominated by
a male authority, Egypt by female)
Gender roles / gender swapping (and
comedic vs tragic conventions)
Hierarchy & conduct (social, militia,
personal)
- T. Marcus
