This quote by Louis Aragon from his poem "Preface to a Modern Mythology," emphasizes the fact that when one observes something in contrast to its opposite, it exaggerates the characteristics of both. ... Throughout Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are shown to be foils to one another when Brutus is displayed as noble, while Cassius is displayed as manipulative. ... This is very manipulative of Cassius because he is using the fact that even though Brutus loves Caesar and is very loyal to him, that if the people wanted him and not Caesar, then Brutus sh...

• Word Count: 1682
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

Her very life was in danger, coming from a dysfunctional family the need for protection and power became more than a desire, in fact it was necessary for her survival. ... The entering of Julius Cesar in Cleopatra's life was perhaps one of the most significant events of her life. After defeating Pompey, Julius Caesar entered the city as a conqueror. ... Julius Caesar was 50, while Cleopatra now 18. ... Both of them dressed in complete pharaoh-nic attire to broadcast to her subjects that she & her son were in fact the divine rulers of Egypt. ...

• Word Count: 2591
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He wrote his play mostly based upon some historical facts, which helps forming the genre of the play. ... Antony is now much older than he was in the period of Julius Caesar and although he was a good politician and an experienced commander, his qualifications seem to vanish now. ... Despite the fact that he seems to have power in every area in life, he demonstrates a great weakness in his love affair with Cleopatra that he gradually has prepared his own end. ... After Antony's death, Caesar takes Cleopatra prisoner for the benefits for his political career however, since she learns abou...

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• Approx Pages: 6

Shakespeare's play seems to demonstrate a continuing struggle for power, whether it be Cleopatra's ever long battle to keep Egypt hers, for she had already made Julius Caesar lay down his sword, or Antony's conflicts within himself to regain his power over not only Rome, but also himself and most importantly Cleopatra, the "cause of his downfall". On top of this is Octavius Caesar's fight to become the sole triumpher of Rome, and Pompey's fight to bring himself back to Rome. ... Ribner seems to redeem himself at the end of the review for tries to resolve his divided re...

• Word Count: 797
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Indeed, this fact would create the first controversies surrounding this particular ancient relic. ... "The attribution was based on the fact that the left hand holds a dikeras (a divided or double cornucopia), which was presumed to be specific only to Arsinoë (although it also appears on the coins of Cleopatra)" (University of Chicago). ... The reputation comes from her purported ability to gain the favour of both Caesar and Antony through sensually motivated actions. ... " She also asserts that the double cornucopia is a Greek symbol, which may imply Cleopatra's abil...

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Shakespeare even invents actions by Octavius Caesar in order to increase our sympathy for the lovers. ... He only ever cried when Julius Caesar died, and he is the greatest soldier that Octavius Caesar knows. ... Act III, Scene VIII, Line 28 In fact there are many ambiguities in both of their characters. ... The fact that Antony spends much of his time in Egypt causes Octavius Caesar to worry that he is becoming effeminate. ...

• Word Count: 2297
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School