Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra": a Complex Inscrutable, Indefinable Heroine

Cleopatra: Celerity is never more admir'd
Than by the negligent.

Antony and Cleopatra, Act 3, Scene 7

Cleopatra: Unraveling the Enigmatic Heroine in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra"

The Enigmatic Queen: Unveiling Cleopatra's Complexity

Cleopatra
Image by Kevin Phillips 
from Pixabay

Cleopatra embodies mystery. William Shakespeare chose to keep her feminine mystique inexplicable in "Antony and Cleopatra." She is, in turn, vain, sensual, violent, cruel, bawdy, cowardly, beautiful, witty, vital, intelligent, a strumpet, a gipsc, a lass unparalleled, a triumphant lady, royal wench, a great fairy, a rare Egyptian. She is all these and more – a source of Perini fascination.

Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt, is indeed a complex and multifaceted character in William Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra." Throughout the play, she embodies various qualities that make her both inscrutable and indefinable as a heroine. Shakespeare portrays Cleopatra as a woman of great power, intellect, and passion, but also as someone who is manipulative, volatile, and unpredictable.

Love, Intrigue, and Vulnerability: Cleopatra Unveiled

William Shakespeare

She grows, starting as a courtesan-cum-enchantress. She presses her love through dramatizing (playacting) and dialogue. But inwardly she ultimately proves to be vulnerable. Her love for Antony intensifies into something more than sexual passion (her playacting in outwitting the astute Caesar).

   H. Granville Barker, in Preface to Shakespeare second section, comments, “This is the Woman herself, quick, jealous, imperious, mischievous, malicious, flagrant, subtle; but delicate creature too, and the light, glib verse seems to set her on tiptoe”.

Love's Ambiguity: Cleopatra's Enchanting Betrayal

  Cleopatra is an enchanting sorceress. It is ambiguous if she really betrayed Antony at Actium. Does she love Antony? Shakespeare uses a retrospective, flashback method for the answer. The infinite variety precludes easy judgement. Plutarch disliked her, portraying her in unflattering light. Her violence towards the messenger indicates frustration and insecurity in love (Elizabet temper?). Isis was represented as a cow where there is no physical fear Cleopatra shows courage. She can Egyptiamize even the high Roman fashion, transforming death into a sensuous pleasure. Shakespeare intensifies her in the final senses. Here poetry makes up for politics, lyricism files over materialism and love transcends power. The compassion and passion in her bridal outfit implies that she is one her way to facilitate her reunion with Antony in the Kingdom beyond death, in the realm of the blest, “Where souls do couch on flowers”. Cleopatra will remain Cleopatra. Shakespeare’s use of the word “bliss” (1/3/35-8) suggests the quasi-divine nature of their love which will blossom again in Elysium.

Allure and Volatility: Cleopatra's Complex Nature

One of Cleopatra's defining characteristics is her ability to captivate those around her. Her allure is described as irresistible, and her beauty and charm are renowned. Antony, the Roman general and Cleopatra's lover, becomes enamored with her and is willing to forsake his duties and responsibilities for her sake. Cleopatra's seductive powers, coupled with her intelligence and wit, enable her to wield significant influence over men.

However, Cleopatra's complexity lies in her mercurial nature. She can be playful and coquettish in one moment, and then suddenly transform into a passionate and jealous woman. This volatility makes it difficult to pin down her true intentions and motivations. Cleopatra's actions are often driven by her emotions, leading to impulsive decisions that have far-reaching consequences.

Seductive Machinations, Defiant Sovereignty: Cleopatra

Furthermore, Cleopatra's political acumen and her understanding of power dynamics add to her enigmatic nature. She is a skilled manipulator, adept at playing games of politics and using her sexuality as a tool to achieve her goals. Cleopatra's ability to maneuver through a male-dominated world, maintaining her sovereignty and protecting her kingdom, showcases her intelligence and strategic thinking.

Despite her flaws and questionable choices, Cleopatra is undeniably a strong and assertive woman. She refuses to be subjugated by the Romans or anyone else, asserting her independence and asserting her authority as the queen of Egypt. Cleopatra's refusal to conform to societal norms and her unwavering self-confidence make her an intriguing and compelling character.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cleopatra in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" is a complex and inscrutable heroine. Her beauty, intelligence, and allure draw people to her, but her unpredictable nature and manipulative tendencies make her difficult to define. Cleopatra's strength, passion, and refusal to be controlled by others contribute to her status as an enduring and enigmatic character in literary history. Cleopatra is the female counterpart of Hamlet. She is Shakespeare’s greatest female character embodying the supremacy of imagination over reason, of spirituality over maternity.

 Ardhendu De

References

A Companion to Shakespeare Studies : H et al Granville-Barker : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/companiontoshake0000heta

The complete works of William Shakespeare, with a full and comprehensive life; a history of the early drama; an introduction to each play; the readings of former editions; glossarial and other notes, etc., etc., from the work of Collier, Knight, Dyce, Douce, Halliwell, Hunter, Richardson, Verplanck, and Hudson. Edited by George Long Duyckinck : Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/completeworksofw00shakuoft