Skip to main content

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

Artistic Representation of Cleopatra
In Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare crafts Cleopatra as one of his most complex, multifaceted characters—a heroine full of contradictions that render her inscrutable and captivating. Cleopatra is layered with traits that seem to conflict yet define her richness as a character. She is, by turns, playful and proud, intelligent and sensual, calculating and vulnerable. Described with titles such as "lass unparalleled" and "royal wench," Cleopatra embodies a spectrum of qualities that defy singular categorization.

 Cleopatra’s relationship with Antony begins with elements of enchantment and seduction, but as the play progresses, it reveals a profound depth. Shakespeare hints that her feelings evolve from superficial allure to a passionate commitment. She is also unpredictable—capable of wit and tenderness but also of explosive reactions, as seen in her violence toward the messenger, an outburst driven by jealousy and insecurity. This blend of traits captures her volatility and emotional intensity, suggesting a love for Antony that transcends mere attraction and reaches a nearly divine level of devotion.  

Critic H. Granville Barker captures Cleopatra's complexity, describing her as "quick, jealous, imperious, mischievous, malicious, flagrant, subtle," yet simultaneously "delicate." Barker's analysis points to Cleopatra’s mercurial nature, underscored by Shakespeare's use of rhythmic, light verse to convey her allure and quick wit. Cleopatra’s ultimate act, her suicide, is both a personal and political statement, merging sensuality with a stoic bravery that elevates her to near-mythical status. In dying, she transcends earthly confines, seeking eternal unity with Antony in an afterlife of "bliss."

 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 judgment. Plutarch disliked her, portraying her in unflattering light. Her violence towards the messenger indicates frustration and insecurity in love (Elizabeth 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.

As Shakespeare’s Cleopatra defies conventional roles and expectations, she becomes comparable to Hamlet—a character torn between action and introspection, a personification of imagination and emotion over reason. Cleopatra stands as one of Shakespeare’s most vivid and enduring female characters, her life and love marked by an "infinite variety" that challenges any attempt to define her fully. In her, we see the triumph of imagination and spirit, forever etched in the richness of Shakespeare's verse.

Ardhendu De

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Drop any query, suggestion or comment here.

Other Fat Writing

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. West’s New Method of Teaching English :Its Merits and Demerits

                 D r. Michael Philip West (1888–1973) conducted an extensive research and experiments on the problems of teaching English as a foreign language in India at the time of British rule . Read More Teaching English The new method is the outcome of his research. It stood as a reaction against the Direct Method. Going into more details, when Dr. West came to visit rural Bengal students (1913- 19) en route teaching job at Teachers’ Training College  at Dhaka, West's conclusions about English learning issues in Bengal, India were as follows: 👉Students spent about 10 hours a week on English study with extremely poor results. 👉Only a minority reached the Matriculation class due to health or financial reasons. Read More  Teaching English 👉Even in the Matriculation class, students lacked real reading ability, speaking fluency, and writing proficiency in English. 👉A 1919 Calcutta University...
6 comments
Read more

Kinds of Poetry: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic

Introduction: Poetry is a form of literary expression that has captivated readers and listeners for centuries. It allows poets to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a condensed and artistic manner. While there are countless poetic forms and styles, poetry can be broadly categorized into three main kinds: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Each of these kinds has distinct characteristics, purposes, and examples that showcase the rich diversity within the world of poetry. Kinds of poetry :  There are three great kinds of poetic writing: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Narrative poetry: Narrative poetry tells a story with a plot, characters, and a setting. It  is one of the oldest and most straightforward forms of poetry. It tells a story, often in a chronological sequence, using poetic devices to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Some key points about narrative poetry include: Storytelling: Narrative poetry focuses on storytelling, using poetic language to c...
1 comment
Read more

Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Preface to Shakespeare": Points to Remember

E ighteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson ((1709-1784) is one of the most significant figures in English literature. His fame is due in part to a widely read biography of him, written by his friend James Boswell and published in 1791. Although probably best known for compiling his celebrated dictionary, Johnson was an extremely prolific writer who worked in a variety of fields and forms. Chief Critical Approaches of Dr. Johnson are: Johnson tried teaching and later organized a school in Lichfield. His educational ventures were not successful, however, although one of his students, David Garrick, later famous as an actor, became a lifelong friend.
40 comments
Read more