Cleopatra: Shakespeare's analysis of women's alienation

Résumé du document

According to Yves Bonnefoy Shakespeare wanted to do with Antony and Cleopatra more than a political analysis of Rome. Indeed, Shakespeare analysed in this play the place of women in the Roman society, in order to make a comparison with their role in his own society. At the beginning of the XVIIth century, Puritans made virulent attacks against theatre, accusing it of destabilizing the social order, in particular because the theatre gave too much importance to women, who were considered as fiends. Shakespeare usually showed in his plays no prejudice against women. Worried by the criticisms towards theatre, he analysed the alienation of women in his society and their relations to men. Moreover, the fact that women's roles were played on stage by male actors who were forced to caricature them strengthened the subordination of women to men and perpetuated the contempt for women.

Extraits

[...] However misunderstandings between Antony and Cleopatra begin, as Antony is confronted to his honour, his glory to virile values. He interprets then Cleopatra's retreat as a betrayal. In fact, Cleopatra makes a second invitation to Antony, in order to lead him to the real values and to cure his love from his prejudices. Therefore she has to dominate her tantrums and her hysteria (the stereotype of feminine weaknesses) and she must die without hesitation. Cleopatra's objective is to destruct the social structures and to accede to a higher truth. [...]

[...] Cleopatra owns all faults and weaknesses of women. She is hysterical, possessive, commanding and she changes constantly her mood. Her sexuality is condemned and seen as a trick used in order to reach the power. This depreciate femininity is evocated by many characters of the play. For instance in the first Act Philo and Demetrius complain about Antony's debauchery and describe Cleopatra as (I.i.10). Cleopatra is also seen by Antony as a “wrangling queen” (I.i.50), by Octavius Caesar as a (I.iv.19) and a (III.vi.67) and by Enobarbus as an “Egyptian dish” (II.vi.123). [...]

[...] The lines am again for Cydnus / To meet Mark Anthony” (V.ii.227-228) are very interesting. Cleopatra thinks again about her first meeting with Antony, as she did not love him yet. This day she played the role attributed to women by Puritanism. Indeed, she tried to seduce Antony with feminine tricks. But now, she loves him and she recognizes the illusion of the beginning of their relationship. With these words she shows her desire to start again this relationship without deceit. Since she commits suicide Cleopatra takes the glory from Octavius away. [...]

[...] This kind of degradation can be seen as a metaphor of the oppression of all women and of their lack of importance in the social structure. By her suicide which is considered as positive - Cleopatra reaches the liberty and triumphs over Octavius Caesar who represents the patriarchal Roman society. As a conclusion Shakespeare depicts in Antony and Cleopatra death as an assertion of self-hood and an act of defiance to the patriarchal laws. Bibliography BONNEFOY Yves, Preface to Antoine et Cléopâtre, Gallimard BEVINGTON David, Introduction to Antony and Cleopatra, Cambridge University Press, 1990/2005. [...]

[...] Cleopatra: Shakespeare's analysis of women's alienation According to Yves Bonnefoy Shakespeare wanted to do with Antony and Cleopatra more than a political analysis of Rome. Indeed, Shakespeare analysed in this play the place of women in the Roman society, in order to make a comparison with their role in his own society. At the beginning of the XVIIth century, Puritans made virulent attacks against theatre, accusing it of destabilizing the social order, in particular because the theatre gave too much importance to women, who were considered as fiends. [...]