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Cleopatra’s actions and opinions alienated the Elizabethan audience, and they initially
rejected the play due to its disquieting yet realistic complexity, but with time and
consideration it became one of the most popular plays of the era
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Opening with a conversation regarding Cleopatra’s morals and her ability to influence a
great leader, Shakespeare is both allowing Cleopatra to take centerstage and admitting
her constant presence, but simultaneously insulting and degrading her, with two soldiers
appearing fit/worthy to judge her
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The Elizabethan audience, with their already unsteady leaders, feel jolted by this remove
from their ideals; if a monarch’s name is subjected to criticism from even lowly subjects,
can they truly be the strong leader their country requires?
In discussing private matters with her servants, and allowing their opinions to influence
her, Cleopatra is obviously oblivious of the Great Chain of Being, most likely to her
detriment
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This is in a moment of
hysteria on Cleopatra’s part, once again demonstrating she does not have the
levelheadedness required of a lone monarch
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Shakespeare makes use of caesura in scene 3 as Cleopatra cuts off Antony at every
opportunity, disempowering him further
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She is nonetheless shown is a more forgiving light when she displays her
insecurities, “I am all forgotten
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Shakespeare repeatedly shows Cleopatra’s obsession with the self; she is concerned only
with her own happiness and success, and in doing this Shakespeare asks the Elizabethan
audience to consider their good fortune in being ruled by a monarch whose thoughts lie
only with her country, and never with herself
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We are given a clear view into Cleopatra’s psyche, as she articulates her thoughts and
opinions freely, with little thought of the consequences of her outbursts
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T
In her alliterated and hyperbolised phrase “my man of men” she shows she genuinely
perceives Antony as infinitely superior to her former lovers
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She herself considers herself to be a “morsel for a monarch”, simply a bit of fun rather than
an important lasting relationship
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This is far from how the Elizabethans wish to see their queen, as she is an exceptional
monarch they do not appreciate the idea of a queen becoming the property of anyone
other than her people
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She is even referred to as “Serpent of the Nile”, a biblical allusion to her corrupt and
seductive nature
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There is a sudden juxtaposition of the fourth and fifth scenes, with scene four a serious
and integral scene to the play, and scene five as frivolous a scene as Cleopatra can make
possible
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Cleopatra’s bad leadership qualities are juxtaposed with Caesar’s obviously desirable
leadership style, heightening the sense that Cleopatra could truly be doing more for her
country
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Cleopatra’s potentially illegitimate children from her many relationships are set to break the
line of succession, showing she does not consider the interests of her country and people
before herself
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One positive comparison between the two queens is when Cleopatra refers to herself as
“Egypt”, once again drawing the comparison that shows she has many of the suspect
qualities of her country Egypt, often linked with witchcraft and trickery
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Shakespeare foreshadows Cleopatra’s death through a soothsayer, foreseeing Cleopatra
shall not outlive her servants
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