The Library Annex

I am conqueror of myself

In this tragedy of historical fiction, Shakespeare explores the relationship between the Roman war hero Antony and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt; two lovers from different worlds who contrast each other and suffer the bonds of a common fate. The play is passionate and chaotic, with rousing speeches, war games and enough scenes changes to challenge the best directors.

To begin the drama, Shakespeare seems to spotlight Antony and the forces that govern his life. In Eygpt, he lounges in luxury with Cleopatra, compelled by a powerful infatuation with her. Yet political maneuvering and warring states beckon him back to another world. These two forces, love and war, silhouette Antony’s identity as a conquering warrior. One wonders if his infatuation with Cleopatra is more an indulgence of his ego rather than a true love, conquering her as much as her land. This infatuation drives his destiny against which his honor and nobility cannot compete. He must endure frustrations from both forces before realizing his infatuation might actually be love.

Moreso than Antony, Cleopatra intrigues me. Considering her position as a queen of a conquered country; her political power and fotunes at the whim of foreign men, one must be careful not to judge her through the lens of them. How can Cleopatra exert power in this dynamic? She unleashes it like a flood against defenseless messengers, barges into naval battles and clamorously plays with her attendants. She seems a power confined. How would she behave as a man? Like Pompey? Like Caesar? While Antony rejoices over his first wife’s death, marries Caesar’s sister and still expects Cleopatra to be true to him. Yet when Cleopatra employs survival tactics when Antony is conquered, he flies into a rage!

And yet, in these individaul moments of weakness, they bring each other back to their better selves like opposite attractions. In this, their fates entangle themselves with one another, the two ebb and flow as one. When Antony is at his height of power, Cleopatra fears for his choices. When Antony is brought low, Cleopatra brings him back up ironically by riling his anger against her. Antony’s peers recognize Cleopatra’s power over him! And we see the power Antony has over her.

This is not The Tragedy of Antony or The Tragedy of Cleopatra. It is The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra. At the end, after all the tumult of their relationship and the sway of polarizing forces, they realize that nothing matters but their love. And in conquering their worldly identities, they find a peace within each other, a peace lacked by those left behind.