Antony And Cleopatra: The Role Of Enobarbus In Acts I And II Essay, Research Paper
In
Shakespeare’s tragedy/history/Roman play Antony and Cleopatra, we are told the
story of two passionate and power-hungry lovers. In the first two Acts of the
play we are introduced to some of the problems and dilemmas facing the couple
(such as the fact that they are entwined in an adulterous relationship, and
that both of them are forced to show their devotion to Caesar). Along with
being introduced to Antony and Cleopatra’s strange love affair, we are
introduced to some interesting secondary characters.One of
these characters is Enobarbus. Enobarbus is a high-ranking soldier in Antony’s
army who it seems is very close to his commander. We know this by the way
Enobarbus is permitted to speak freely (at least in private) with Antony, and
often is used as a person to whom Antony confides in. We see Antony confiding
in Enobarbus in Act I, Scene ii, as Antony explains how Cleopatra is
"cunning past man’s thought" (I.ii.146). In reply to this Enobarbus
speaks very freely of his view of Cleopatra, even if what he says is very
positive:…her
passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call
her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than
almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be she makes a shower
of rain as well as Jove.(I, ii,
147-152) After Antony reveals that he has just heard news of his wife’s death,
we are once again offered an example of Enobarbus’ freedom to speak his mind,
in that he tells Antony to "give the gods a thankful sacrifice"
(I.ii.162), essentially saying that Fulvia’s death is a good thing. Obviously,
someone would never say something like this unless they were in very close
company.While
acting as a friend and promoter of Antony, Enobarbus lets the audience in on
some of the myth and legend surrounding Cleopatra. Probably his biggest role in
the play is to exaggerate Anthony and Cleopatra’s relationship. Which he does
so well in the following statements:When she
first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.(II.ii.188-189)
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the water: the poop
was beaten gold;Purple the
sails, and so perfumed thatThe winds
were lovesick with them; the oars weresilver,(II.ii.193-197)
And, for his ordinary, pays his heart For what his eyes eat only.(II.ii.227-228)
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety….(II.ii.237-238)
In these passages, Enobarbus turns Antony’s and Cleopatra’s meeting into a
fairy tale and leads the audience into believing the two are inseparable. His
speeches in Act II are absolutely vital to the play in that this is what
Shakespeare wants the audience to view Antony and Cleopatra. Also, in these
passages, Cleopatra is described as irresistible and beautiful beyond
belief-another view that is necessary for us to believe in order to buy the
fact that a man with so much to lose would be willing to risk it all in order
to win her love.Quite
possibly, these passages may hint that Enobarbus is himself in love with
Cleopatra. After all, it would be hard to come up with such flowery language if
a person were not inspired. Enobarbus may be lamenting his own passions
vicariously through the eyes of Antony. This would be convenient in questioning
Enobarbus’ loyalty, which becomes very important later on in the play
(considering he kills himself over grief from fearing he betrayed his leader).
The loyalty of Enobarbus is indeed questionable. Even though we never hear him
utter a single disparaging remark against Antony, he does admit to Menas that
he "will praise any man that will praise me" (II.iii.88), suggesting
that his honor and loyalty may just be simple brown-nosing.Shakespeare
probably fashioned Enobarbus as a means of relaying information to the audience
that would otherwise be difficult or awkward to bring forth from other
characters (such as Cleopatra’s beauty and the story of her betrayal of
Caesar), but he also uses him as way to inject some levity and humor in the
play, showing the characters eagerness to have a good time. Evidence of this
comes in Enobarbus’ affinity for drunkenness. In both Act I and Act II
Enobarbus purports the joys of drink:Bring in
the banquet quickly: wine enough Cleopatra’s health to drink.(I.ii.13-24)
Mine, and most of our fortunes, tonight, shall be-drunk to bed.(I.ii.47-48)
He even caps off Act II with a song for Bacchus and a request for drunken
celebration.In short,
Enobarbus is used as any good secondary character should be; he relays
information between characters, exposes other characters and their traits,
gives background information, and lets the audience in on his surroundings and
the general moods and beliefs of the times he lived in. He is not just used as
a database however, through his speeches and his actions we find a fully
developed person, someone with thoughts, motives, and feelings all his own-a
character who can’t be summed up in just a few sentences.