Cleopatra: A True Feminine Tragedy

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Cleopatra: A True Feminine Tragedy

In Shakespeare's tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra, Cleopatra is

efficiently described by Enobarbus as extremely passionate and

movable. She possesses all characteristics of a woman in good ways and

bad. She is easily swayed by outside decisions and one cannot clearly

decipher what she truly wants. She is also extremely manipulative and

uses her femininity to her every advantage. It even seems that she is

unfit to manage her own matters or to even merely decide what her own

viewpoint on a subject is. Every aspect of her being influences the

turning events of this tragedy and one could even say that Antony and

Cleopatra is a tragedy due to her incapability to bridle her fierce

feminine characteristics and channel them towards a greater good other

than her own.

The first glimpse into Cleopatra's tumultuous nature is a description

of her by Enobarbus in a conversation with Antony. He also insinuates

about her ability to manipulate others as well as her shrewd sense of

intellect.

Enter Enobarbus

Enobarbus: … Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of this,

dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer

moment. I do think there is mettle in death, which commits

some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying.

Antony: She is cunning past man's thought.

Enobarbus: Alack, sir, no, her passions are made of nothing

but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds

and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and

tempests than almanacs can report.

(I. 1.2, 147-155)

Enobarbus is the first to see Cleopatra for what she truly is....

... middle of paper ...

...he turning point of her life. She is now making

responsible, mature choices instead of passionate, spur of the moment

thoughts.

Women are often labeled as making decisions based on their heart

instead of their head. They tend to be more erratic and passionate,

making choices based on their mood in the current moment. Clearly,

Cleopatra epitomizes this stereotype. She encompasses it to the

fullest and is most likely the cause of the tragedy Antony and

Cleopatra. She uses her feminine qualities to the farthest extent of

manipulation. Furthermore, she intertwines manipulation with her

passion; thus causing turmoil throughout the book and creating a

tragedy due to her chaotic presence. Shakespeare has truly created a

tragedy. Yet, not in a hardcopy form; instead through the

personification of his character Cleopatra.

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