Cleopatra,_Reflective_Essay

Plutarch's view of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra seems to comprise of the key elements of lustrous infatuation, something which was regarded by the romans as showing weakness of character. In the first part of the passage plutarch describes Cleopatra as adding 'Fresh delight and charm to Antony's hours of seriousness and mirth' (Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) this gives the impression of a regular relationship until he adds that she 'released him neither night nor day'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) this suggests that Plutarch veiwed Cleopatra as controlling and did not consider her to have any genuine feelings for Antony. He also says that she 'kept him in constant tutlage '(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) indicating that Plutarch viewed Cleopatra as having the more superior role in thier relationship. Cleopatra is a manipulative temptress and the hold she has over Antony is bought to our attention a number of times throughtout the passage. Plutarch goes on to describe one unsuccsessful fishing trip saying that Antony was 'vexed because Cleopatra was there to see'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18). To try to impress her he fakes his fishing skills. Throughout this passage Antony is portrayed as bewitched and enamored. Plutarch wrote that 'the egytain saw through the trick'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) and 'pretended to admire her lover's skill'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) this is the only indication of affection between Cleopatra and Antony throughout the passage, it appears maternal rather than romantic. This also portrays Cleopatra as clever and witty. Antony's second attempt to impress Cleopatra is hindered and he finds himself made a mockery of. Plutarch has taken this great general and presented him as childlike succumbing to the 'great laughter'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) of the adults around him. Another example of Cleopatra having the upper hand in thier relationship is after Antony's second attempt to impress her when she tells him 'imperator, hand over thy fishing-rod to the fishermen of pharos and canopus'(Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment booklet,2008,p.18) she reprimands him as you would a child, upstaging and out witting him. It appears that plutarch has represented Cleopatra as being slightly out of Antony's reach. It is clear that Plutarch viewed the realtionship as destructive. The fact that Antony had let himself become bewitched by this women and queen shows a lack of self-control and would ultimatly lead to his downfall.