Antony and Cleopatra
1606
Traditional British Shakespearean Drama
Historical love story
Polarization of eastern and western cultures Rome
vs Egypt. Rome as depicted in Antony and
Cleopatra treat the nations as polar opposites.
Thus Rome is a guardian of moral restraint,
personal responsibility, social order, and military
discipline. Further, Rome places a high value on
honor and duty toward one's country. By contrast,
Egypt is seen as a magnet for decadence,
concupiscence, and indolence.
Tragedy
Gender issues – The role of women. Strong
autonomous woman such a Cleopatra – the
underestimated power of a woman’s sexuality.
Definition of honor- Cleopatra’s death, which is
her means of ensuring that she remains her
truest, most uncompromised self, is distinctly
against Rome
Antony and Cleopatra
Structure
Juxtaposition of scenes – contrasting settings /
domestic and political scenes
Episodic structure / multi-focus perspectives
USE OF VIVID IMAGERY AND HYPERBOLE –
EXAGGERATED LANGUAGE
Dualism as advanced theme – love vs war/
emotion vs reason/East vs West
Similarities in the presentation of the protagonist.
Antony is presented as a war hero who is proud of
his lineage (Hercules). Men are drawn to Antony.
He has a personal magnetism that attracts soldiers
such as Enobarbus and Scarus and a heroic
dimension that elevates him to superhuman
stature. He's the kind of leader who inspires love
and loyalty in his followers (Enotes)
Mark Antony functions as a tragic hero in the play.
Echo in the Bone
1970
Modern Caribbean Drama Jamaica
Based on true historical events- historiography
Eurocentric vs afrocentricism. The view held by
the colonials that the West Indies represents
Barbarism and decadence and the colonizers’
territories as morally and spiritually upright the
epitome of social order
Tragedy
Rachel’s authoritative role. Power of a woman’s
sexuality?
Crew and Rachel’s character symbolic of the same
true definition of honor. Crew defending his family
and people. Rachel defending the honor of her
husband through the use of nine night ceremony
Rachel and Mr. Charles?
Same
Same
Vivid imagery
Same -Past vs present/ death vs life/ blacks vs
white
Similarity in the presentation of Crew as
protagonist. Members of the community are
drawn to hi Character as he is presented as a hero
of his community for example going up against the
oppressive Mr. Charles. He is loved and respected
by all members of his community and he is also
proud of his lineage as he is a proud black man.