Egypt

Cleopatra was regarded as a great beauty, even in the ancient world. In his Life of Antony, Plutarch remarks that "judging by the proofs which she had had before this of the effect of her beauty upon Caius Caesar and Gnaeus the son of Pompey, she had hopes that she would more easily bring Antony to her feet. For Caesar and Pompey had known her when she was still a girl and inexperienced in affairs, but she was going to visit Antony at the very time when women have the most brilliant beauty".[11] Later in the work, however, Plutarch indicates that "her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her."[11] Rather, what ultimately made Cleopatra attractive were her wit, charm and "sweetness in the tones of her voice."[11] Cassius Dio also spoke of Cleopatra's allure: "For she was a woman of surpassing beauty, and at that time, when she was in the prime of her youth, she was most striking; she also possessed a most charming voice and knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to every one. Being brilliant to look upon and to listen to, with the power to subjugate every one, even a love-sated man already past his prime, she thought that it would be in keeping with her role to meet Caesar, and she reposed in her beauty all her claims to the throne."[11] These accounts influenced later cultural depictions of Cleopatra, which typically present her using her charms to influence the most powerful men in the Western world. Potrayal Of Cleopatra AA100 The Arts Past and Present - Book 1 Reputations Assignment 01 – Cleopatra Throughout the 21st century Cleopatra has provided us with both a “historical figure and a legend” Cleopatra - The Arts Past and Present (AA100 DVD)Title 7 Chapter 1, The Open University . We shall examine how two films, from 1934, and 1963 have represented her, noting the similarities and differences, in relation to the eras during which they were created. Costumes and staging are one similarity; both films depicting splendour and extravagance. In the 1934 film “huge pillars…distinctly shaped table legs..project an ambience of oriental splendour”. Ibid Title 7 Chapter 2.   The 1963 production “took extravagance to a whole new level….nowhere is this opulence more evident than Cleopatra’s entry to Rome”. Ibid,Title 7 Chapter 3. Romance was present in both films. In 1934, more significantly where the story represented “Cleopatra’s destructive infatuation with..two great loves..and less as a queen and stateswoman”. Ibid Title 7 Chapter 2. Furthermore, the 1934 production demonstrated Colberre’s   “girly ditziness” with a storyline “reduced to a battle of the sexes” It would appear   in this production that “dealing with the mighty Rome is just a bit of lighthearted fun”. Ibid, Title 7 Chapter 2 “Romance is still a cornerstone of this (1963) production” . Ibid, Title 7 Chapter 3. However,the   impression created a portrait of a shrewd stateswoman, “Cleopatra is widely read..in natural sciences…speaks seven languages proficiently”. Cleopatra “probed the weaknesses of her opponents and whose opulent nature overwhelms resistance”. Ibid,Title 7 Chapter 3. This was a film where the message was not just of romance. Current issues were reflected in both films.   In 30’s the role in society of women changed: with voting, equal opportunities and pay. With divorce and pre-marital sex increasing, the Catholic Church took steps in policing the morals of the day – and Hollywood also had... 1. No comments Join Now For Free