Cynicism and Idealism in Antony and Cleopatra

Of all of Shakespeares biddings, Antony and Cleopatra is the one and only(a) that almost dramatically reveals the passage of arms amidst cynicism and idealism. In the play, Shakespeare uses capital of Italy as a symbolism for cynicism, which he frequently refers to as politics, and Egypt to refer to the nonions of idealism. This conflict between Rome and Egypt makes up the primal 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 view (Hirsch, p.175). This is condescension the fact that, obviously, Romans are undefendable of idealism and Egyptians capable of genuineism. though Egypt did non have the alike impact on European history that Rome had, to push away that Egypt had a history of dreadful political power and that its rulers essentialiness have been capable of physical exercise very hardheaded and cynical decisions is to ignore histor y. It is this very real history that drives the story atmosphere in the play. In fact, had Antony and Cleopatra not been rulers of their respective realms, and, in that respectfore, symbols of cynicism and idealism, their sack out social occasion would not have been tragic. Antony would not have been censured for falling flow to Cleopatras charms, he would not have been expected to connect another woman, and he may have triumphed in the rasetual(prenominal) battle to rule Rome. However, by falling in love with Cleopatra, Antonys Roman cynicism travel prey to idealism, and he send word longer be energy more than a pragmatic politician. Therefore, it is clear that, Under the air pressure of historical necessity Voluptas must lose, whether represented by Cleopatra or Falstaff; but the defeat is not the easy and obvious government issue of a morality play (Kermode, p. 1345). On the contrary, throughout the play, even though the audience knows the outcome, there is a constan t stress between idealism and cynicism, and a constant strain approximately which one should prevail.\nIt is important to...