The Influence of Love and the Egyptian World on Politics in "The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra"

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2, University of Freiburg (Englisches Seminar), course: HS Roman Plays and Selected Adaptations, 12 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: 1. Introduction In Antony and Cleopatra the political aspect is considered to be a very significant theme. However this Roman play treats other significant subject matters: Love and the Egyptian world. Critics have divided opinions about it; some consider Antony and Cleopatra to be a tragedy about love and focus on this aspect only. In my term paper I will try to show that this Shakespearian tragedy should be seen as both, a play about love as well as about politics and that both themes are interconnected. By analysing Antony's and Cleopatra's love relationship as well as the political situation of ancient Rome I will examine in what extent the couple's love has influenced the course of politics. Another characteristic topic of the play is the Egyptian culture and lifestyle which stands between the other two themes. My aim is to show that the influence of the Egyptian culture can be considered to be an obstacle for the preservation of the Roman values. To give evidence for this claim I will show that the presence of the Egyptian culture has increased the discrepancy between love and politics in the Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra in a considerable way. I will begin my term paper by portraying the political situation of Rome before and during the period the play is set. Thus the essential background for the understanding of the tragedy is given. Afterwards I will treat the other relevant topics already mentioned. I will start with the analysis of Antony's feelings for Cleopatra and go on by showing the consequences that this relationship has on politics. After that I will give a brief insight into the Roman's view of love and matrimony. Next I will illustrate the influence of Egyptian lifestyle o