Part 1 Cleopatra
Part 1 Cleopatra
Choose one of the modern representations of Cleopatra in film or TV presented in module materials. How far is this consistent with roman depictions of her in Book1, chapter1?
The way Cleopatra is portrayed in the film “Cleopatra” 1963 starting Elizabeth Taylor is linked to the way the roman sources represented her. The film similarly portrays the way many of the roman sources represented Cleopatra, the luxurious and sensual pleasurable nature of Egypt and Cleopatra is a systematic theme.
Both depict her as an intellectual manipulator who used the weaknesses of others to attempt to fulfil her ambitions. In the film when Cleopatra enters into Rome she displays an array of lavish performances conducted by ornately decorated subjects in a bid to win over the roman populous and senators. This is similar to Plutarch’s account of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra’s meeting at Tarsus. Plutarch vividly describes a barge decorated with gold and silver with purple sails, displaying Cleopatra as Venus (AA100 Book 1 Reputations, P. 9-10); he suggests she does this to draw the attention to her through a display of power and wealth. In the same scene a roman also says “in obtaining her objectives she employs torture, poison and even her own sexual talents” the second roman statement resembles Plutarch’s view of Cleopatra heavily. Plutarch indicates that Cleopatra is cleaver and has an aptitude for manipulation and cunning; he says “she was a master of a thousand flatteries “(AA100 Book 1 Reputations, P11) both versions of Cleopatra represent her as an intellectual and a manipulator.
There is however inconsistencies between the two versions of Cleopatra can be seen. The film admits to Cleopatra’s Hellenic lineage, in the same scene as her intellect is mentioned to Ceaser by a roman. Whereas the Romans make no mention of Greek ancestry and associate her to Egyptian culture and completely omit her Greek heritage, although the film makes Cleopatra appear Egyptian.
Choose one of the modern representations of Cleopatra in film or TV presented in module materials. How far is this consistent with roman depictions of her in Book1, chapter1?
The way Cleopatra is portrayed in the film “Cleopatra” 1963 starting Elizabeth Taylor is linked to the way the roman sources represented her. The film similarly portrays the way many of the roman sources represented Cleopatra, the luxurious and sensual pleasurable nature of Egypt and Cleopatra is a systematic theme.
Both depict her as an intellectual manipulator who used the weaknesses of others to attempt to fulfil her ambitions. In the film when Cleopatra enters into Rome she displays an array of lavish performances conducted by ornately decorated subjects in a bid to win over the roman populous and senators. This is similar to Plutarch’s account of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra’s meeting at Tarsus. Plutarch vividly describes a barge decorated with gold and silver with purple sails, displaying Cleopatra as Venus (AA100 Book 1 Reputations, P. 9-10); he suggests she does this to draw the attention to her through a display of power and wealth. In the same scene a roman also says “in obtaining her objectives she employs torture, poison and even her own sexual talents” the second roman statement resembles Plutarch’s view of Cleopatra heavily. Plutarch indicates that Cleopatra is cleaver and has an aptitude for manipulation and cunning; he says “she was a master of a thousand flatteries “(AA100 Book 1 Reputations, P11) both versions of Cleopatra represent her as an intellectual and a manipulator.
There is however inconsistencies between the two versions of Cleopatra can be seen. The film admits to Cleopatra’s Hellenic lineage, in the same scene as her intellect is mentioned to Ceaser by a roman. Whereas the Romans make no mention of Greek ancestry and associate her to Egyptian culture and completely omit her Greek heritage, although the film makes Cleopatra appear Egyptian.