THE POTRAYAL OF ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND AS REFLECTED TROUGH CLEOPATRA IN SHAKESPEARE’S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
A THESIS
by Gacia Nurika Purwanti Student Number : 00. 80. 0046
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME FACULTY OF LETTERS SOEGIJAPRANATA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEMARANG 2005
THE POTRAYAL OF ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND AS REFLECTED TROUGH CLEOPATRA IN SHAKESPEARE’S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA The Thesis Presented as Partial Fulfillment of Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Sastra Degree in the English Letters Study Programme
by Gracia Nurika Purwanti Student Number : 00. 80. 0046
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME FACULTY OF LETTERS SOEGIJAPRANATA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEMARANG 2005
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES OF TITLE................................................................................................ii PAGES OF APPROVAL.....................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....................................................................................vi TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................viii ABSTRACT............................................................................................................x ABSTRAK............................................................................................................xii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................1 1.1 Background of the study.........................................................1 1.2 Scope of the study...................................................................4 1.3 Problem formulation...............................................................4 1.4 Objectives of the study............................................................4 1.5 Significance of the study.........................................................5 1.6 Definition of terms..................................................................5 CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE.....................................................7 2.1 Cleopatra’s History.................................................................9 2.1.1. The relationship between Cleopatra and Caesar...........9 2.1.2. The relationship between Cleopatra and Antony........10 2.1.3. The relationship between Cleopatra and Octavian......11 2.2 England in Elizabethan era....................................................13 2.2.1. Religious Conflict.......................................................14 2.2.2. War with Spain............................................................15
viii
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY............................................17 CHAPTER IV. THE ANALYSIS OF “ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA”......22 4.1. Social Political Problems of Cleopatra as the Portrayal of Elizabeth I..........................................................................22 4.2. The similarity of Cleopatra’s Characters to Elizabeth I of England..............................................................................31 4.2.1. Optimistic.................................................................32 4.2.2. Arrogant...................................................................33 4.2.3. Conceited..................................................................34 4.2.4. Intelligent.................................................................36 4.2.5. Loyal........................................................................37 CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION...........................................................................44 BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................46 APPENDIX
ix
ABSTRACT
The play Antony and Cleopatra is written by William Shakespeare in 1607. It was the time of great transformation in Europe called Renaissance. Shakespeare lived when Elizabeth I become the Queen of England. The Queen’s influence stretched far and wide, touching all part of life, including literature. In the play of Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare describes Cleopatra as a Queen who very powerful and ambitious in reaches her aim to get Rome. She uses her position as a Queen and as a woman, to attract, to delude, and than subdued Antony; one of Roman Leaders who is has a strong influence in Rome. Cleopatra tries to realize her ambition by exploit Antony’s love which is very strong and passion able. But because of other ambitious man, Octavian, as one of the Roman Leader, her wisdoms can not be reality. Finally, Cleopatra and Antony finishes their life by suicide. This thesis deals with the similarity of social political problems and some personal characteristics between Elizabeth I of England and Cleopatra. This study entitled “The Portrayal of Elizabeth I of England as Reflected through Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra”, has two objectives. First is to find out the similar description of England’s social political problems in Elizabethan era and those of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Second is to reveal how Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra portrays Elizabeth I of England.
x
The writer suggested that by reading this drama critically, the reader will understand about the England’s social political problem in Elizabethan era that represent through Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. In relation to the use of socio-historical approach, the readers do not only enjoy the play as a literary work, but also know the relation between literature and society represented in the whole story.
xi
ABSTRAK
Drama Antony and Cleopatra ditulis oleh William Shakespeare pada tahun 1607, dimana pada waktu itu terjadi reformasi besar-besaran di Eropa atau dikenal dengan istilah Renaissance. Shakespeare hidup di jaman pemerintahan Ratu Elizabeth I, dan pada saat itu pengaruh sang Ratu sangat besar dan luas, menyentuh seluruh sisi kehidupan, termasuk dalam karya sastra. Dalam drama Antony dan Cleopatra ini, Shakespeare mengemukakan tentang Cleopatra sebagai seorang ratu yang sangat berkuasa dan ambisius dalam mencapai tujuannya, yaitu untuk mendapatkan Roma. Ia menggunakan kedudukannya sebagai seorang ratu, dan juga sebagai seorang wanita, untuk memikat, memperdaya, dan akhirnya menaklukkan Antony, yang pada waktu itu adalah seorang Jenderal yang sangat berpengaruh di Roma. Cleopatra berusaha mewujudkan impiannya dengan memanfaatkan cinta Antony yang begitu besar terhadapnya. Namun karena ada seseorang jenderal lain yang juga ambisius, yaitu Octavian, maka impian mereka tidak terlaksana dan berakhir dengan mengakhiri hidupnya sendiri. Thesis ini menyangkut persamaan masalah sosial dan politik dan juga beberapa karakter atau sifat antara Elizabeth I Inggris dan Cleopatra. Thesis ini berjudul gambaran tentang Elizabeth I Inggris yang tercermin dalam karakter Cleopatra dalam drama Antony and Cleopatra karya Shakespeare. Penulis mempunyai dua tujuan dalam menulis skripsi ini. Yang pertama adalah menemukan gambaran yang sama akan masalah sosial dan politik dalam
xii
era Elizabeth dengan era Cleopatra. Kedua, untuk mengetahui bagaimana Cleopatra dalam drama Antony and Cleopatra bisa memiliki kesamaan karakter dengan Elizabeth I. Penulis menyarankan, bahwa dengan membaca drama ini secara kritis, pembaca akan memahami masalah sosial dan politik Inggris pada jaman Elizabeth melalui drama Antony and Cleopatra. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan sejarah, pembaca tidak akan hanya menikmati drama sebagai karya sastra saja tetapi akan memahami hubungan antara sastra dan masyarakat dalam isi cerita tersebut.
xiii
