Textuality » 4A Interacting
Why is Cleopatra considered the prototype of the seducer?
Roman writers described Cleopatra like an intelligent lady, with a seductive voice, but they didn't provide anything about her physical appearance. Today we can see a Cleopatra's portrait on a Roman coin, come down to us: actually she wasn't nice-looking!
The prototype of seducer associated to Cleopatra has been created recently; probably historians considered her very attractive, because she could seduce one of the rulers of the Roman Empire, diverting him from his powerful role.
How does Shakespeare introduce her character?
In the first act of the tragedy Cleopatra appears into a room of her palace, next to her lover.
She is talking to Antony: she asks him how much he loves her, because she wants to establish it.
The first piece of information about the lady concerns her moral aspect: she is proud and she isn't content with ruling a reign, but she wants also to control one's feelings.
Her characterization doesn't begins from her physical aspect: probably it wasn't so great, as a result Latin writers didn't speak about it in their works and Shakespeare, after studying the Classics, couldn't obtain any information about it.
She has a low consideration of the Romans, in particular of Antony's colleagues and wife; she also brags about her power and her intelligence.
What categories does he appeal to in order for the reader to perceive of the lady as a beautiful, sensual, intelligent lady?
Shakespeare appeals to categories concerning her moral aspect, that is her character, her behaviors and her way in talking to different people.
For example in the third scene of the first act, she sends an attendant to call Antony: if he is sad the attendant will tell Cleopatra is dancing, if he is serene she will tell Cleopatra has got an illness.
Are the pictures pasted in the site coherent with Shakespeare's representation of Cleopatra?
Yes, they are. In the first one she appears like a proud and intelligent lady in ruling her reign; in the second one she seems to seduce a man, maybe Antony.