This embrace tells us the audience a lot about the state of Cleopatra and Antony's relationship. This is a medium shot at an eye-level angle. If you examine the mise-en-scene neither character is centered in the frame but Cleopatra is much nearer to the center than Antony. This placement conveys some of the character's mental stability/clarity both characters know what they want but for Antony all he wants is Cleopatra (which partly explains why she is centered). Antony is at a place where there are two paths internally he could follow and he knows which one he wants to choose, although that path might not be the one that his conscience and identity as a Roman urge him to follow. The lighting comes from behind Antony which makes Cleopatra glow which is how she appears in his eyes like a goddess. While Antony's stature gives the appearance of power he is holding on to Cleopatra like she is all he has. Also the state of Antony's dress also implies something about the state of his mind his identity as a Roman and his love for Cleopatra are at war and his love seems to be winning. Although he is a powerful person when he is with Cleopatra he is stripped bear of all his power and is left powerless and is like any other man in love.
This description and analysis is very well thought out and deeply analyses the scene from the minor details of lighting to costumes. I agree with the way Antony views and thinks of Cleopatra but I think that he is not unsure of his path but instead Cleopatra is centered because she is the center of Antony's thoughts and actions. He made the clear decision of being with just her despite the many people that told him otherwise. This brings up the important fact stated above about the lighting making her look like a goddess because I agree that Antony truly viewed her as such.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marley, Cleo is in the center of the shot (even though she bends back her neck), and that visualizes the central role she plays for Antony. At the same time, she is clearly smaller, looking up to him. Her smaller size and the fact that she's bending away from the center shows that she willingly submits to Antony, now more lover than queen.
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