What_Do_Representations_of_Cleopatra_in_Film_and_on_Television_Tell_Us_About_How_Her_Reputation_Changed_over_Time.

What do representations of Cleopatra in film and on television tell us about how her reputation changed over time. ‘Original version with comments including comments from the PT3’ The roles of women have varied throughout the years, and changes of these roles and reputations can be seen in the story of Cleopatra. The 1917 film Cleopatra portrayed Cleopatra as someone to be feared. This is understandable when taking into account that during this period of time feminism was on the rise and society as a whole seemed to fear change. Theda Bara played Cleopatra, she was well known for playing roles that involved women sexually manipulating and abandoning men. This reputation served to increase the feeling that women with power should be something to be afraid of. This feeling was reflective of a largely male dominated society and to the politics and social norms of the time. The 1934 film of Cleopatra takes a dramatic change in the way the Egyptian Queen is portrayed. No longer is she seen as a character to be feared, but now a character that was flirtatious, and perhaps submissive. This Cleopatra was played by Claudette Colbert, who during this period was known for regular roles in romantic comedies. Perhaps this shows that society in the 1930’s started to recognize the rise of women’s rights and no longer feared women in power. Theda Bara’s portrayal of Cleopatra, was now perceived as an icon for the modern woman. This interpretation of Cleopatra was that she was extravagantly dressed and her surroundings full of orient splendor. It was said she “was a type of mannequin, marketing Egyptian themed costumes, hairstyles, jewelry and clothes”(Cleopatra,1934,in ‘Cleopatra’, 2008; see transcript p.2). The 1934 depiction of Cleopatra suggests that consumerism was on the rise, this is strengthened by the fact that women at this time were actively pressuring society for an equal standing in society. They were becoming more liberal and perhaps purchased more goods for their own satisfaction. The portrayal of Cleopatra has changed throughout history, all of the different representations reflect on the social trends and norms of the time. This is shown through what she is wearing, her surroundings and her behavior when meeting the powerful men she came into contact with.√ One particular example is the 1963 film Cleopatra played by Elizabeth Taylor, “Out of the patchwork of conquests…one world… not a one world, one nation. One people on Earth living in peace”( Cleopatra,1963,in ‘Cleopatra’, 2008; see transcript p.5.). During the 1960’s people such as Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy and the United Nations were influencing societies around the world. Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal showed Cleopatra as a shrewd head of state, that would demand tribute and submissiveness from her foreign visitors; the roman pro-consul Fear backs this up by saying “Cleopatra in now a shrewd statewoman who probes the weaknesses of her opponents and whose imperious nature overwhelms resistance”(Ref Fear) This suggests that this depiction of Cleopatra showed that the modern woman of this era were was equal to men and would suggest that the male population of the time had accepted and respected this new ‘social norm’.√ Bibliography Moohan, E., Fear, T.(2008) ‘cleopatra’,(1ed.) Reputations (AA100 Book 1),Milton Keynes, The Open University, PP.v-28. ‘Cleopatra’ (2008) (AA100 DVD), Milton Keynes The Open University. √