illustration of Antony and Cleopatra facing each other with a snake wrapped around their necks

Antony and Cleopatra

by William Shakespeare

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Student Question

How does the depiction of war in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra compare to that in Henry V?

Quick answer:

Shakespeare's depiction of war in Antony and Cleopatra and Henry V presents contrasts in leadership and outcomes. Both protagonists are brave and strategic leaders, but while Henry V maintains unity and triumphs through relatable leadership and esprit de corps, Antony struggles with self-doubt, leading to indecisiveness and defeat. Henry’s war is a tale of victory and national pride, whereas Antony’s is a tragic downfall, highlighting how leadership shapes the fate of their armies.

Expert Answers

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The visions of war in The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra and Henry V will have some similarities but also a number of notable differences. Let's look at these two plays to help you answer your question.

Antony and Henry are both brave military leaders. They both believe in being in the field of battle when their armies are in a fight. Henry is very keen to lead from the front, being one the first to go "Once more unto the breach." Antony also doesn't shy away from putting himself in danger. They are both cunning and experienced strategists and tacticians who understand the complexities of war.

However, it will be useful to examine how fortune favors them differently. Throughout Henry V, King Henry holds his ragtag little army together by not elevating himself too high above those who serve under him. He consistently promotes an esprit de corps that keeps his force unified and eager to press the attack. He is largely able to do this because he is comfortable with his elevated social position but also familiar with the lower classes which make up the bulk of his forces.

Antony, on the other hand, fails in this. His frequent concern that he is not living up to his noble obligations creates uncertainty and emotional volatility. A notable example of this occurs in act 4, scene 2. Instead of giving a rousing pre-battle speech, Antony imparts a message that comes across as fatalistic, revealing his own internal feelings. Eventually, Antony makes too many ill-fated decisions and suffers the abandonment of most of his allies.

Where Henry is resolute and victorious, Antony is indecisive and weak. Henry returns to England in triumph. Antony dies by his own hand after a decisive and humiliating defeat. These are two different visions of war, one meant largely as an English piece of historical propaganda and the other as a story of a tragic hero. Yet, despite these differences, they are both stories where the fates of armies hinge on the personalities of their leaders.

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