Cleopatra was an iconic figure from ancient Egypt for many centuries – both literary and cinematically. She made her screen debut through actresses Claudette…
Cleopatra was an iconic figure from ancient Egypt for many centuries – both literary and cinematically. She made her screen debut through actresses Claudette Colbert and Sophia Loren’s portrayals, with Elizabeth Taylor becoming more familiar through the 1963 sword-and-sandal movie “Cleopatra.”
No matter her beauty or seduction, Cleopatra had an unsaid tragedy at heart. At a time when women were expected to marry and raise children, she instead chose self-determination and independence over conforming. Co-ruling Egypt alongside brother Ptolemy XIV from 44 BC until 30 BC; she also played an influential political role within Roman society.
Cleopatra remains an enigmatic figure, yet certain archetypes often crop up when discussing her story. A popular archetype is that of the tragic heroine; from Plutarch to William Shakespeare she has often been depicted as lovelorn with later actions being inspired by grief over having lost Mark Antony.
Archetypes often exploited during plays include that of the cunning ruler. Cleopatra ruled two powerful empires with ease and could outwit and manipulate men with ease; she is known to have spoken Egyptian, Greek and Latin fluently; she studied medicine, coinage and chemistry – an example of her intelligence is her ruling of two powerful empires simultaneously!
As a ruler, she employed her majesty to forge alliances and foster foreign policy objectives. Her ability to speak multiple languages allowed her to foster relationships between diverse cultures from around the globe; Egyptians, Aethiopians, Troglodytes, Semites and Hebrews among them were said to be her constituents allowing her to bring people from each together under her rule. Furthermore, she wielded power like no one before or since and had an unsurpassed understanding of world events and situations around her.
Cleopatra’s artistic portrayal has evolved through time to reflect changing ideas of beauty in different eras. For instance, she was often depicted as pale-skinned and blonde-haired European beauty who in some instances may even be white women – something not very realistic but nevertheless an aesthetic interpretation.
Modern artists such as Waterhouse have depicted Cleopatra with various artistic mediums; these range from depicting her as an angry teenage to portrayals by Goupil that combine mythological and Egyptian themes – examples of Egyptomania popular during 17th and 18th century Europe.
Edmonia Lewis created a more subdued representation of Cleopatra being killed by an asp in 46 BC, far removed from Shakespeare’s depiction and reflecting how her legacy has been formed by male attitudes toward her.