Antony And Cleopatra- Powerplay

Power play is featured in human experience at all levels, from the public world of politics to the private world of personal relationships. Textual portrayal of power as a complex social force, has intoxicated the human disposition encapsulating the composers vision of power play being destructive and self serving. Through Anthony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare demonstrates the interplay of political power among the triumvirate, intertwined with Cleopatra's sexual power play which controls Anthony as he gets transformed into a "strumpets fool", highlighting the manipulating nature of power play. Similarly in, Elizabeth (1998), Shekhar Kapur showcases, the triumphing rise of Elizabeth from her rotten beginnings to being one of England's most powerful monarchs, through use of various power play tactics.

Power play essentially belongs to the pragmatic and the ruthless and this is demonstrated in Antony and Cleopatra. Octavious Caesar is portrayed as very powerful character through his deceive language, his clear identification of effective strategies and characterization of being someone who is capable of great ruthlessness. In order to fulfill his objectives Caesar establishes a power play stragedy which involves taking advantage of opponents weakness. This is evident when he tells Octavia "he has given his empire up to whore" which shows how he utilizes the personal to attack Antony's political power. Caesar's actions, imprisoning Lepidus and therefore depriving him of his power after "having made use of him in the wars" against Pompey, highlighting his duplicating faÐ*ade as well as his dispassionate nature. Many of the men who are placed in the front line by Caesar are the very men who have previously deserted from Antony's ranks, accentuating the shifting balance of political power and emphasizing that one need's to exploit opportunities and weaknesses in others to succeeded.

Similarly in film Elizabeth, the concept of political power play through taking advantage of opponents weaknesses is apparent. After succeeding to the throne of England, Elizabeth struggles to maintain power and leadership as her enemies try to wipe out her position. Like Caesar the Duck of Molfok is able to exploit Elizabeth's weak position of power. His highly effective tactic of intimidating Elizabeth during the discussion of the war between England and Scotland is showcased by a low camera shot and his commanding tone. Using this duplication faÐ*ade, like Caesar, the Duke's ability to persuade Elizabeth allows him to manipulate their relationship and taking it to his advantage.

Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra highlights how the interplay of power play can lead to political downfall Antony's fundamental flaw is that he is unable to maintain a balance between duty and desire, thus moving himself from the "tipple pillars of the world". This is highlighted by the contrast of Antony to his earlier greatness and how he was compared to godly images "have glowed like plated Mars" and "Hercules" giving Antony's status a mystical and powerful figure. Shakespeare's Antony 'stoops' from the Roman politics to reach Cleopatra in her sensually indulgent world. This is highlighted in Act 3 when he flees the Battle of Actium as he is attracted to Cleopatra's "strong Egyptian fetters". This imagery emphasizes Cleopatra's strong hold over Antony and that he cannot completely break away from her even when "honour calls". Also the imagery of the "ranged empire fall" emphasizes the political decline of Antony, showing his instability to maintain power and leadership.

However in Kapur's film, Elizabeth realizes that she had to be "no man's Elizabeth" to retain her power and sacrifices her love relationship with Robert. This is accentuated by Roberts graphic image which is visually juxtaposed with flames, in the scene where Elizabeth meets him, bringing out the idea that her passion for him is 'burning away'. However Shakespeare's Cleopatra is portrayed as strongly manipulative in her characterization and uses her sexual power to cause Antony's downfall that symbolically makes him "lay his sword down'. Unlike the play and demise of Anthony's military and political power Elizabeth rises in power as she assets her authority as Queen in the film Elizabeth. Unlike Anthony's initial powerful position, originally Kapur portrays Elizabeth status as weak. Elizabeth's lack of political power is seen through Duke of Norfolk's disregard of the Queen's servants and how she forcefully persuades her to go to war with France. Panning shots of the