antonio Flashcards
his character
He is a power-hungry and conniving character, and never shows remorse for his cruel schemes or their consequences. Antonio is noticeably silent in response to his brother’s offer of forgiveness at the end of the play.
usurpor
“Thy false uncle”
boatswain
Antonio and Sebastian are furious at the Boatswain for his audacity in ordering them around
“dog,” “cur,” “whoreson,” and an “insolent noisemaker”
lawless island
Antonio and Sebastian see being on the lawless island as an opportunity to steal Alonso’s power. Their only constraint is morality, but Antonio ignores morality.
some productions could
dress S+T as parodic versions of A+S, two more characters who must surrender signs of status they have no claim to
“mirrors of their own real status” - Roy Booth
hint of humour
in Caliban and S+T’s hopeless plotting to murder Prospero
no humour in Antonio and Sebastian’s plot
Antonio grew
in power to the point that he felt ready to become “absolute Milan”
in upsetting the political order
within his own state, Antonio had also upset that which existed in the relationship between Milan and its neighbours - Milan was to become a vassal of Naples and pay tribute to Alonso
Antonio instinctively
uses opportunities that could benefit him - Richard Adams
Antonio and Sebastian’s
cynicism turns to outright mockery when Gonzalo says his utopia speech
conscience
Antonio has no conscience - Richard Adams
language is appetite focused
“he receives comfort like cold porridge”
“ancient morsel”
so-called civilised people, but focused on their appetites
Antonio is
typically Machiavellian - Matt Trueman
justifiable actions
Antonio’s act of treason could be justified as he overthrows a bad neglecting ruler - Miguel Angel
Declan Donnellan 1988 Production
Antonio pushed the Boatswain out of the way and grabbed the imaginary wheel of the ship, only to be thrown to the ground by the storm: forced to acknowledge that he was unable to control the power he had usurped.
