The exiled Duke Senior’s daughter and niece of Duke Frederick, Rosalind is the play’s central character, in that she has both the most lines and brings about much of the play’s resolution. She is downhearted from the beginning, as her father has been away in exile, and only when her heart is ‘‘overthrown’’ (1.2.244) are…
Tag: The United Kingdom
As You Like It – Orlando
The youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, Orlando serves as the play’s romantic male hero, eventually marrying Rosalind. Orlando’s appearances in the first act well establish his moral virtue, as he craves only ‘‘such exercises as may become a gentleman’’ (1.1.69–70), including a good education, while Oliver, the eldest de Boys brother, professes to…
As You Like It – Jaques
Jaques is a melancholy lord attending Duke Senior in banishment. Jaques is commonly considered Touchstone’s foil, as he provides commentary on the play’s diverse issues from a completely different perspective. Jaques’s misanthropy, or distaste for humanity, initially casts a dark shadow over the events in Arden forest. Where Duke Senior expresses regret at the killing…
As You Like It – Act Wise Summary
Act 1, Scene 1 In the opening scene of As You Like It, Orlando tells the old family servant Adam of his discontent with his brother Oliver’s management of the family fortune and his treatment of him, for he is being allowed no education and thus will have no means to advance in the world….
Antony and Cleopatra – Essay
The world presented in Antony and Cleopatra is one of friction, division and disagreement. In this world of impending and actual war, even the eponymous lovers frequently contend with each other in a battle of words and wills. Antony came to Alexandria to subjugate Cleopatra. Instead, she captivates him. It should be no surprise, then,…
Antony and Cleopatra – Analysis
At the end of Antony and Cleopatra both lovers are dead, and the victorious Octavius, finally respectful of them now they are no longer either a threat or a challenge, gives instructions for a solemn funeral and announces that they will lie next to each other in death. Moralists in the audience (should there be…
Antony and Cleopatra – Historical Context
The Rise of Mark Antony The Roman general Mark Antony was born in Rome in approximately 83 B.C.E. As a young man he distinguished himself as a cavalry commander in Judea and Egypt. He was a military leader in the Gallic Wars of 58–50 B.C.E. and a staunch supporter of Julius Caesar. During the civil…
Antony and Cleopatra – Imagery – Literary Devices
Language and Imagery Antony and Cleopatra is distinguished among Shakespeare’s plays for its lush, evocative language. Some critics have even suggested that it should be classified with Shakespeare’s long poems rather than ranked alongside his plays. Scholarly discussion has focused on Enobarbus’s vividly detailed depiction of Cleopatra on her barge and on the lovers’ continual…
Antony and Cleopatra – Themes
Rome versus Egypt The play focuses on the personal relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, and in doing so it juxtaposes two value systems, Rome and Egypt. Rome, the West, as embodied in Octavius Caesar, is a guardian of moral restraint, personal responsibility, social order, reason, and military discipline. Further, Rome places a high value on…
Antony and Cleopatra – Characters
Agrippa Agrippa is a friend and follower of Octavius Caesar. It is Agrippa who suggests that the differences between Antony and Octavius might be resolved through marriage between Antony and Caesar’s sister, Octavia. Later, Agrippa leads Octavius Caesar’s forces against Antony. Alexas Alexas is an attendant to Cleopatra. He jokes with Cleopatra’s maids, Charmian and…