Abstract This paper considers whether Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and descendant of Ptolemy, engaged in love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in the name of true love or simply to further her own political agenda. It also explores relationship of Cleopatra's family as background to her love affairs with powerful men.
From the Paper "So much of what is believed to be true of ancient Egypt and its most famous queen, Cleopatra is a strange mixture of fact and legend. Indeed stories of Ptolemaic Egypt lend themselves so well to legends and romanticism that it is often difficult to piece together the true historical picture of that time. The myth surrounding Cleopatra is perhaps the best example of this as she has been portrayed as a great seductress and love in poetry and art for centuries. Her love affairs with both Julius ..."
Tags:cleopatra, egypt, caesar, antony, ptolemy, political, love
Abstract The paper introduces and analyzes the topic of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Specifically it discusses the motive for her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The paper relates that Cleopatra ruled Egypt as a result of her father's death and,at the age of 17, she took over the rule of Egypt until she was ousted from power and fled the country. The paper relates the numerous love affairs she was involved in, her goal being to regain the throne and her power.
From the Paper "Cleopatra's first infamous love affair was with Julius Caesar, who had conquered Egypt and was attempting to decide who should reign over the country in Rome's behalf. Cleopatra wanted the job, and did not want to arouse suspicion in her brother's guards, so to meet with Caesar she had herself rolled up inside a carpet and delivered directly to him. Cleopatra seduced him, and they became lovers. In return, she gained the power and the throne in Egypt, and spent time in Rome with Caesar, as well. One historian notes, "Cleopatra was politically brilliant and secured Caesar's loyalty, certainly not only through sexual pleasure, but through manipulation of her own" (Editors). Cleopatra bore Caesar a son, further ingratiating herself to him, and she used him to regain her power and prestige in Egypt. It is not clear if she really loved him or not, but it is clear that she was shrewd and recognized that this powerful Roman would be a sound ally and advisor. "
Abstract Shakespeare wrote 'Antony and Cleopatra' towards the end of his career, around 1600. Some scholars support that its historical nature has more to do with Shakespeare's own time than with the Roman era in which it is set (McJannet). These scholars claim Shakespeare is reconstructing English or Roman history from the perspective of his own historical moment.
From the Paper "But the hero who has distinguished himself, what shall be done to him? In the first place, he shall receive honour in the army from his youthful comrades; every one of them in succession shall crown him. What do you say? (Plato 195). Shakespeare wrote Antony and Cleopatra toward the end of his career, around 1600-1607 ("William Shakespeare (1564-1616)"; "Shakespeare Timeline"), and some scholars support that its historical nature has more to do with Shakespeare's own time than with the Roman era in which it is set (McJannet)."
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.
Abstract 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."
Tags: comparison, similarities, exageration, sexuality, power
Abstract Michael Grant's "Cleopatra" is an interesting read both in terms of subject matter and style. Cleopatra was a powerful woman who, while reigning in Alexandria, Egypt, had affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Traditional history has tended to superficially dismiss her as a powerful seductress. While Grant's book is written in an academic style, it helps debunk the common misperception regarding Cleopatra and demonstrates that she was a skilled administrator who attempted to salvage Egypt from Roman domination.
Abstract This paper analyzes the life of one of the most famous rulers in history, Cleopatra. Specifically, it includes important facts of Cleopatra's life and her contribution to civilization. It shows how Cleopatra was one of the most legendary queens in history. She influenced Egypt's civilization in many ways and is still studied today, a testament to her lasting endurance as a monarch and celebrity.
From the Paper "Cleopatra has been immortalized in film, on stage, and in print as a great woman ruler and lover. However, the truth of her story is far different than most of what is portrayed in fiction. Modern readers seem to think of Cleopatra as a sultry temptress, who ruled according to her whims, rather than her wit. However, many historians find this is not the case. John, Bishop of Nikiu in Upper Egypt in the 7th century AD called her "'the most illustrious and wise of women'" (Walker 6). Cleopatra's rule in Egypt would be the last of the famous Ptolemies, and her rule would mark historic changes in Egypt's and the world's history."
Abstract This paper illustrates how, in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra", a climax is reached within the ancient Greek themes of creation and destruction that mirrors the distinctions between love and war, and the explicit and implicit communication of love to oneself and another, seen in the play's rendition of male and female love. The writer argues that "Antony and Cleopatra" offers a Christian-mystic-community-pagan parallelism centered around more ancient themes, and that, in the play, fate is in constant countermotion with freedom, which tragically can lead to neurosis, or positively to a romantically balanced catharsis. The writer contrasts the emotive content of the play with its cognitive content, the blurring and refocusing of which create the play's subjective ethical implications.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
The Contrast between What is and What Could be: Antony's Neurosis
Contrast Between the Written and Spoken Word
Intertextual Interpretations and Influences
The Intertextuality in Antony and Cleopatra: Hercules and Masochism
Hercules as Christian/Pagan Intertext
The Egyptian Other and the Roman Self
From the Paper "One priority in discussing things as complex as works of art, especially plays, is to acknowledge certain presuppositions about the nature of the subject matter. Is the philosophy of literature the same as literature that contains philosophy? While this has been widely debated, I think the issue lies in the distinction between the two, which if blurry, expresses an overlap such that literature can serve as philosophy, somewhat in the way that later Heidegger believed that poetry was the highest form of philosophical thinking."
Abstract Cleopatra was a queen of Egypt during ancient times, and is also known for her associations with the Roman empire during the time of Augustus and Mark Antony. Officially, her title was Cleopatra VII Philopator, and although she was an Egyptian queen, she had a Greek or Hellenic background. In this paper, a brief biography of Cleopatra is given, including her association with the early Roman empire through Mark Antony, her achievements and contemporary effects of the times, and her famous death by the suicide poison of an asp.
From the Paper "Cleopatra became queen at a very young age, being only eighteen when she ascended to her high position, and because according to the laws and customs of the time, a female ruler had to have a brother or son as a person of interest in their high court, she had to be married to her brother. Such arrangements were not all that uncommon in royal monarchies of ancient times, as they were often based on complicated systems of bloodline purity and genetics understanding, which led to some amount of intermarriage and often, in one of the unfortuante side effects of such a system, inbreeding. Cleopatra, however, was in no way dominated in her relationship to Ptolemy XII, as he was only twelve years old and she was eighteen. Instead, she effectively took power and control on her own."
Abstract An in-depth analysis of four main characters in two of Shakespeare's plays. This essay details Anthony and his inner conflict between his longing to rule the Roman Empire and his strong love for Cleopatra. It also details the very fickle and dramatic character of Cleopatra and the many versatile parts she can play. It includes a brief discussion of the overwhelming love between Romeo and Juliet as well as their families' feud. Finally, it compares the plays and their characters.
From the Paper "Antony is a man in conflict throughout this play. He struggles between his need to rule the Roman Empire, and his great love for Cleopatra. When he with Cleopatra, she is the only thing that matters. He says in the first act, "Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch / Of the ranged empire fall" (Cohen, Howard, and Greenblatt I.i.35?36). In just a few moments however, he worries that his love will cause him to "lose [him]self in dotage" (Cohen, Howard, and Greenblatt I.ii.106) and then he is afraid that his wife had died because of him, and that this is just one ill befalling because of his ?idleness.? He has a hard time deciding whether to follow his passion, and stay with Cleopatra, or follow his duty, and return to Rome."
Abstract The paper begins with a synopsis of the life and history of Cleopatra VII. It then goes on to explain how Marc Antony's relationship with the Queen of Egypt was the main cause of the Battle of Actium. The increasing tension between Marc Antony and Octavian is studied and the course of the Battle of Actium is followed, showing how Cleopatra acted as a catalyst for the commencement of the battle.
From the Paper "In the history of Egypt, Cleopatra VII was considered as the "Last Pharaoh" of Egypt, particularly, the last descendant of the Ptolemaic rule. Cleopatra's life history is a series of numerous alliances and relationships with different men, although one of the most prominent men who got involved with Cleopatra is Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, all Roman rulers during the reign of the Roman Empire. In Egyptian history, there have been several queens named Cleopatra, although the seventh queen, who was Cleopatra VII, was the only one who became "influential" and "famous" (Tour-Egypt Monthly 1996). Known as Cleopatra VII Tryphaena, Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XIII Auletes, reigning King of Egypt during the year 51 BC. Cleopatra's father left a will, which states that Cleopatra was to be the heiress to her father's kingdom, and the heir will be Ptolemy XIV, Cleopatra's younger brother."
Abstract This essay gives a brief biography of Cleopatra. It discusses her reign between 69 and 30 B.C. The paper shows that Cleopatra was the last Macedonian queen of Egypt. Daughter of Isis and King Ptolomy the XII of Egypt, she was famous for her extraordinary intelligence, charm and beauty. She was the last major threat to Rome for a long time.
Abstract This paper is on the topic of Cleopatra as an icon of foreignness. The story of how a great warrior was overtaken by the cunningness of a foreign woman is found in the story of Cleopatra. She was a goddess to Caesar who loved her.
Abstract Cleopatra was an intelligent and powerful ruler, but she was also a woman. The paper tells the story of Cleopatra's life, from her birth to her death, highlighting the most famous points of her life. The paper mostly concentrates on her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and her time as the queen of Egypt.
From the Paper "When one hears the name Cleopatra one instantly thinks of a beautiful and powerful queen who ruled over Egypt with a firm hand. In reality, she was far from beautiful. On ancient coins she is depicted with a long, hooked nose and masculine features.1 Yet she was clearly a very seductive woman.2 She had an enchantingly musical voice and overwhelming charisma. She was also highly intelligent. She spoke nine languages and was the first pharaoh in the Ptolemy family who could actually speak Egyptian.3 Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Egypt, but who was the actual woman behind the queen? Was she truly a powerful leader or did her lovers give her power?"
Tags: ancient, biography, egypt, egyptian, last, rulers
Abstract This paper discusses the depictions of Antony's and Cleopatra's respective conflicts, and how those depictions portray the value of romantic love. The discussion begins with Antony's conflict, which is a struggle between reason and emotion, mind and heart. This conflict is a central theme to the play and is even manifest in a geographic and political sense as the struggle between the Western world of Rome and the Eastern world of Egypt. The discussion moves to Cleopatra and shows that she is at the center of the same struggle and is motivated, just as Antony, to choose between political power and love. The paper concludes with an examination of Shakespeare's message about the value of romantic love.
From the Paper "Cleopatra is portrayed to us as a woman of sublime beauty. She is seductive to such a degree that she is considered an enchantress and is referred to as a witch. Her majesty is described in vivid terms in a narration by Enobarbus; one of Antony's most trusted lieutenants (II.ii.196-210). He describes the golden decks of her barge, purple sails and silver oars. He compares her visage to Venus, and mentions her as surrounded by young servant boys and ladies. His description brings to us the enchanting quality of Cleopatra's presence, and her subsequent hold upon Antony."
Abstract The paper examines the literature on Cleopatra, finding sources that disclaim the legends of her beauty. The paper discusses Plutarch's literature on Cleopatra and the images he creates of her. The writer proposes that it was her charm, rather than her beauty that captivated Mark Anthony and Julius Caesar. The paper concludes that it was her mind that made her special, as she used her wits to save Egypt and charm Rome's leaders.
From the Paper "In fact, contemporary images of Cleopatra found on coins of the time as well as statuary, seem to suggest a woman with rather harsh, masculine features, including a long, hooked nose and a matronly face. Cleopatra, in fact, bore many of the same features as her ancestors; portraits and statues of her relatives reveal that the long, hooked nose was a family trait."
