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Cleopatra: A Sign of the Times "For Rome, who had never condescended to fear any nation or people, did in her time fear two human beings; one was Hannibal, and the other was a woman" Lefkowitz Her story is one that has been told many times, and the many different and vastly varied representations of her and her story are solely based on the ways in which men and society have perceived women and their role in society throughout history.
By looking at the perceptions of women starting from the Hellenes, the Greeks who greatly influenced Roman ideals, and following those perceptions through to the end of the 19th Century, it is easy to see how Cleopatra has been used to represent the "good woman.
The earliest writers saw her as an evil temptress , as attitudes changed she became a victim and now in recent representations she is seen as "a feminist hero and a savvy politician" Nilsen 1.
Following this history, one can see how the story of Cleopatra is a story that has been told many times to fit each time period's own allegiances. The negative image of Cleopatra that has presided throughout history can be traced back to 5th Century Athens and their perceptions of women. During this time period the Greeks pit their own bourgeoisie ideal of femininity against their counterparts in " barbaric societies" Nyquist This barbarism was also associated with Orientalisms and therefore Egypt was considered barbaric.
The barbarians and the Greeks were considered Holland, Barbara. Hughes-Hallet, Lucy. Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams and Distortions. Roman Shakespeare: Warriors, Wounds, and Women.
London: Routledge, Lefkowitz, Marry R. Women in Greece and Rome. Toronto: Samuel-Stevens, But the most cohesive and edifying critical writings delve the depths of the relationship between Rosalind and Celia.
Most criticisms that include Celia, agree that Celia holds the power on the stage during Act I. In Clare Calvo's article she asks the question "Is it really Rosalind who moves the play" She questions the long accepted opinion that Rosalind is the heroine not only in As You Like It, but is the epitome of all of Shakespeare's comic heroines The Fictional Character Cleopatra The fictional character of Cleopatra has captured the imaginations of people the world over.
Looking at these two facts from the play one may see the political brilliance in her affections, but also the dichotomy. Which one of her loves is true, and which is of an illusory nature? There is a constant battle between her passion towards the mighty Roman and her yearning for sovereignty and the glory of Egypt on her own terms. New York: Penquin Books Inc.
We can argue that Cleopatra effeminizes Antony, to some extent, this is true. Only by flaw of Antony's character, could any of the events occurred. If Cleopatra is the proven cause, it's only because Antony let himself be caught up in the pleasures of the Egyptian court. Cleopatra's to blame for the tragedies: Cleopatra is the main root of Mark Antonys downfall from a well respected and powerful leader of Rome, to a man who spent his days frolicking in Egypt.
To Agrippa Enobarbus describes how Antony fell under the spell of Cleopatra "When she first met Mark Antony she purs'd up his heart upon the river of Cycnus", In other words she dominated him from that point on. She braves a rainstorm of obstacles to conquer and reveal the evil doings of the plays antagonists and to complete her heros journey.
A nineteenth century actress who once played this leading role suggested that the play be retitled Imogen, Princess of Britain. Cymbelines matriarch is tainted by the evil queen and her arrogant Prince Cloten, who is predestined to marry Princess Imogen. However, Imogen can not bear the arrangement and therefore chooses to marry her Roman lover instead.
Lawrence uses numerous literary techniques to effectively critique the character Hester Prynne in his essay On The Scarlet Letter for her sin of adultery in The Scarlet Letter. Lawrence views Hester Prynne as a lustful shrew who throws herself at Dimmesdale for the sake of tarnishing his purity. He believes her actions speak for all women; every single women is guilty of such sins as Hester is.
Lawrence uses repetition to brand a negative phrase into the reader's mind. Home Page A Complete Cleopatra. A Complete Cleopatra Powerful Essays.
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