Antony's Dissolution within the Discourse of Cleopatra

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概要

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• The tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra was written by Shakespeare approximately at the end of 1606. The principal source of this play derives from Parallel Lives originally written by Plutarch. Antony and Cleopatra is also treated as a part of Roman history, between the time of the effective end of the republic and the establishment of the empire. Many critics have analyzed Antony's dissolution as the fall of lovers. It has been thought so far that the definition of "the fall of a great general" is relevant to the existence of Cleopatra. Besides, the representation of Cleopatra is elaborated by using the discourse of Cleopatra that the audience has already had. In fact, in the opening lines of Act 1 Scene 1, Philo who is Antony's vassal apparently discriminates against Cleopatra. The function of Philo's opening speech offers a peculiar interpretation of the principal protagonist. Therefore, we had better reassess the character of Cleopatra and the reality of Antony's fall and examine the deep fall of Antony by himself apart from the premise that he is captivated by Cleopatra's charms. This reassessment consists of the psychological influence of the audience given by the bias of the discourse of Cleopatra, and Antony's reality that he is marginalized as an anachronistic man. Moreover, we have to make sure the reality of Cleopatra without the bias toward her. As a result, the principal reason why Antony is marginalized by the world comes from his conventional practices persisting in the idea of chivalric ethics. Moreover, the transition of this period, in which the ideology of juxtaposition of newer and older comes out and generates the dual-centric perspective, the contiguity of older and newer ideologies, attributes to his bewildered selfalienation and the decline in his spirit submits him to his decay. Besides, it is not fair to think that the character of Cleopatra really exerts influence on Antony's fall. Cleopatra becomes the victim of the discourse of "Cleopatra" that the Romans produced. This reality is veiled with unsubstantial discourses of "Cleo patra." Therefore, it is not too much to claim that Cleopatra does not influence the dissolution of Antony. It is sure that Antony conceals his miserable downfall with the shield of the discourse of "Cleopatra."

• 福岡女子大学の論文

著者

• 林 恵子

  福岡女子大学博士後期課程

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• Antony's Dissolution within the Discourse of Cleopatra

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