Antony and Cleopatra II.2
Cleopatra’s characterisation
Maecenas and Enobarbus, two Roman politicians and friends, are discussing about the queen of Egypt. She is characterised like a triumphant lady, who, thanks to her fascinate, pursed up Antony’s heart. Enobarbus tells also his friend that she used to sat in a luxurious barge: the poop was beaten gold, the oars were silver and the purple sails were perfumed. Thanks to this description, the intelligent reader can understand that the preciouses of royal ship reflects Cleopatra’s beauty. Enobarbus goes on with the description telling Maecenas that Cleopatra obscured the figure of Venus: the comparison between the queen and the diva connotes the high position in which Cleopatra was placed. In addition, she was served by many lady-in-waiting that Enobarbus called “mermaids”: from this information the reader can understand that she was a typical vain queen. Her flower-soft hands allows you to know that she seems to be sweet and delicate. She has also a strange invisible perfume thanks to which she captured all the people. She is also described as a generous and hospital lady, because when Antony invited her to supper, she replied it should be better he became her guest. Agrippa describes her like a royal wench, but not only for her social condition, but also for her features and qualities. Enobarbo also says that when she ran, even if she lost her breath, she managed to make defect perfection. He tells his friend that Cleopatra’s beauty is eternal because age cannot wither her, and that all the vilest things become themselves in her. Maecenas finally compares Cleopatra’s lust and Octavia’s modesty and wisdom, to make the reader understand that the two women have very are two very different characters.