Cleopatra
Comments(3) In Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare creates such a complex character. But while she is complex, she infuriates me! She is equal parts of power, sexuality, and love. It is really odd though because when it comes to Antony, she is super-bipolar, she does not really know how to carry herself. She claims to be conquered by him rather than be courted (3.16.60). She’s the queen of an rich, powerful and lavish empire, but when it comes to Antony, she becomes this little girl who is so enamored by a warrior and politician. I feel that it is so weird that someone so powerful like Cleopatra, who by the way is no where near young anymore, would be so immature when it comes to an amorous relationship. She swears this relationship is real in 1.5.63, but yet I’m not convinced she really thinks it is. She knows he has the capacity to be unfaithful (in fact he completely is) but yet she wants to be with him regardless. Like, I’m really upset.
I think it comes from being romantically involved at a young age.Or maybe it’s like a psychological thing that she has to act like this and Antony just follows suit to please her because the pursuit is so fun. Although, maybe the real reason I’m upset is because her lubby-dubby relationship with Antony sounds like the ones I’ve had with ex girlfriends that didn’t end well which, spoiler alert, also happened here.
It does seem that perhaps Cleopatra is acting immature in her behavior following being in love with Antony. One would think that she would have learned from the extensive appearance she seems to have in love. I am inclined to think her feelings are real as surprising as she expresses them because I cannot see why she would feign them. However, it is definitely an interesting and somewhat puzzling dynamic that she has with Antony seeing as she is a middle-aged Queen of her own kingdom.
I don’t think we give Cleopatra enough credit (and give Antony too much…). She’s holding her own in a prosperous kingdom that’s dwarfed by three guys who basically control everything else in the world. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s thought about if those guys ever consider trying to take Egypt from her – and no wonder she seems nervy and on-edge!
When Antony comes to Egypt and falls for the place, Cleopatra sheds all of her imperial power and becomes a basic white girl for him. Why? Because Antony’s totally into that kind of power dynamic. (He’s also probably more in love with Egypt than with Cleopatra too, but that’s another story.) Sure, she may actually have feelings for him, but everything Cleopatra does to keep Antony with her can be seen as an insurance policy for her country: if she keeps one of the three pillars with her, then she might be able to stand a fighting chance against any invasion.
Until exactly that happens and she realizes that her plan failed. She’s fully aware of what will happen to her if she’s caught, so she rationalizes that killing herself is the best option – and it kind of is. She’s a smart one, really.
I’m gonna go ahead and agree with Brian on this one. Even though Cleopatra handled her love life like a teenager, we can argue that love made her vulnerable. However that is beside the point. The fact that her sex appeal adds to her power illustrates that there is more to Cleopatra then just a sex object used by others. She is able to run her own kingdom, even if she has had to sleep with many men. If we put a male character in the same situation, I’m sure they aren’t saints and have probably slept around as well. The only real difference is that during the time of the play, women leaders weren’t viewed as powerful as men, even though Cleopatra is indeed very powerful.