Cynicism and Idealism in Antony and Cleopatra

Of all of Shakespeares caprioles, Antony and Cleopatra is the unrivalled that most(prenominal) dramatically reveals the engagement amid cynicism and idealism. In the play, Shakespeare uses capital of Italy as a token 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 of import conflict of the play and drives the characters towards most of their actions. Characters in Antony and Cleopatra conspicuously beau Rome and Egypt with competing points of view (Hirsch, p.175). This is despite the fact that, obviously, Romans are sufficient of idealism and Egyptians capable of trueism. though Egypt did not have the similar impact on European history that Rome had, to fail that Egypt had a history of horrifying political power and that its rulers mustiness(prenominal) have been capable of physical exercise very virtual(a) and misanthropical decisions is to ignore history. It is this very real history that drives the story chore in the play. In fact, had Antony and Cleopatra not been rulers of their respective realms, and, thitherfore, symbols of cynicism and idealism, their sack out conflict would not have been tragic. Antony would not have been censured for falling feast to Cleopatras charms, he would not have been expected to marry another woman, and he may have triumphed in the til nowtual(prenominal) battle to rule Rome. However, by falling in love with Cleopatra, Antonys Roman cynicism falls prey to idealism, and he flock longer be nought more than a pragmatic politician. Therefore, it is clear that, Under the drive of historical necessity Voluptas must lose, whether represented by Cleopatra or Falstaff; but the defeat is not the easy and obvious issue of a morality play (Kermode, p. 1345). On the contrary, throughout the play, even though the audience knows the outcome, there is a constant latent hostility between idealism and cynicis m, and a constant strain close to which one should prevail.\nIt is important to...