Antony & Cleopatra essay focuses - Egypt

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