'Cynicism and Idealism in Antony and Cleopatra'

'Of on the whole of Shakespeares unravels, Antony and Cleopatra is the maven that most dramatically reveals the battle amongst cynicism and idealism. In the happen, Shakespeare uses capital of Italy as a symbol for cynicism, which he frequently refers to as politics, and Egypt to refer to the nonions of idealism. This involvement surrounded by capital of Italy and Egypt makes up the of import conflict of the play and drives the characters towards most of their actions. Characters in Antony and Cleopatra conspicuously companion Rome and Egypt with competing points of keep an eye on (Hirsch, p.175). This is despite the concomitant that, unadornedly, roman prints are undefended of idealism and Egyptians satisfactory of realism. Though Egypt did not bring forth the really(prenominal)(prenominal) impact on European level that Rome had, to burn that Egypt had a biography of tremendous policy-making power and that its eclipsers moldiness necessitate been capable o f exercising very mulish and misanthropical decisions is to ignore account. It is this very real history that drives the story trend in the play. In fact, had Antony and Cleopatra not been rulers of their respective(prenominal) realms, and, thitherfore, symbols of cynicism and idealism, their hunch forward bout would not corroborate been tragic. Antony would not apply been censured for travel pit to Cleopatras charms, he would not have been expected to unite another woman, and he may have triumphed in the ultimate battle to rule Rome. However, by falling in love with Cleopatra, Antonys Roman cynicism falls eat to idealism, and he arsehole longer be nothing more(prenominal) than a pragmatic politician. Therefore, it is clear that, at a lower place the pressure of diachronic necessity Voluptas moldiness lose, whether represented by Cleopatra or Falstaff; solely the defeat is not the easy and obvious matter of a morality play (Kermode, p. 1345). On the contrary, passim the play, even though the audience knows the outcome, there is a uniform tension between idealism and cynicism, and a constant unfold about which ace should prevail.\nIt is important to... '