Cleopatra Human Nature

Through Shakespeare’s depictions of great historical figures in Antony and Cleopatra, we can learn more about the different aspects of human nature. His focus on the conflicts between the Roman and Egyptian worlds explores particular characters through their different flaws, virtues and values.

Shakespeare explores the flaws associated with human nature through his depictions of historical figures. The play is greatly centred on Mark Antony’s slow decline in power and through Antony’s weakness which arises from his relationship with Cleopatra, we can learn more about human nature. The allusion to Mars in Philo’s views on Antony’s weakness, “have glowed like plated Mars,” criticises and compares him to, “a strumpet’s fool.” The mention of the

From the very beginning of this tragedy, we can already observe the detrimental effects that his flaw has on his power and reputation. In Antony and Cleopatra, the wavering loyalties are explored which adds to our understanding of another flaw within human nature. The simile in Caesar’s cynical observations of loyalty, “like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, “ Shakespeare compares the loyalty of men to the tide, never still, but wavering and serving whoever is in a higher position. Caesar’s comment later relates to Enobarbus’ harsh self-criticism, “I am alone the villain of the earth.” The metaphor conveys his belief that his betrayal of Antony was an act of evil which he later pays with his

The simile, “glowed like pated Mars, “is Philo’s praising description, “those his goodly eyes, that o’er the files and musters of the war have glowed like plated Mars,” reinforces the idea that Antony was a very dedicated general who took pride in his soldiers. Although his interest in power and status greatly diminished after he fell in love with Cleopatra, his selflessness is still present when he attempts to share his assets. We see a very flawed Mark Antony though his decline in power, however his last courageous attempts to restore lost honour reveal more virtuous traits as seen in his hasty instructions for his followers, “take that, divide it.” The truncated sentence emphasises the urgency of the situation and expresses Antony’s worry for his remaining soldiers. Antony began as an honourable general dedicated to leading his soldiers and fighting wars, however, his flaw of loving Cleopatra lead to the decline of his greatness. From Shakespeare’s depictions of Antony’s virtuous actions and traits, we can learn about the human tendency to make mistakes due to our flaws and the virtuous traits that were abandoned due to