This paper discusses the role of Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's play, "Anthony and Cleopatra" written in 1606, only three years after the end of Elizabeth's reign.
Written in 2005; 1,755 words; 7 sources; MLA; $ 56.95
Paper Summary:
This paper relates that one of the cultural ideologies, which were prominent in Shakespeare's day, was that in order for a woman to be considered a "good" woman, they must embody three certain characteristics: Silence, chastity and obedience. The author points out that Shakespeare's characterization of Cleopatra certainly has similarities to Elizabeth 1, but it goes even further and makes Cleopatra into an exaggerated version of Elizabeth except Cleopatra uses her sexuality to increase her power, while Elizabeth had to remain chaste in order to maintain her power. The paper relates that another manner in which Cleopatra's character diverges from the cultural attitude toward women is that she is not silent although in some points in the play Cleopatra seems submissive and even quiet or passive
From the Paper:
"In order to understand the attitudes of society in the early seventeenth century, one must first understand the politics that shaped societies attitude. Shakespeare was born into Elizabethan England in 1564. Elizabeth 1 was the first Queen of England to never marry and this significant in understanding how Cleopatra is conveyed so powerfully. Since the Middle Ages, marriages had always been arranged and this meant that it was almost impossible for a woman to avoid marriage, unless of course the woman was the queen. Although the law gave women virtually the same rights as a man while unmarried, as soon as a woman was married she became the property of her husband. Elizabeth 1 remained unmarried in order to maintain her right to be equal to man and to maintain her power."
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