Cleopatra as a Historical Figure

Cleopatra as a Historical Figure

In hieroglyphs, the name reads “Kleopadra”. It is a name which in Greek means “Glory of Her Race” (Weigall, 44). It is a name belonging to a woman who has transcended the boundaries of time so that we may know her story. What better way to describe Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt, Ruler of the Nile, sent from the Gods themselves to lead her people, than “Glory of Her Race”? Cleopatra, the last ruling descendant of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, has arguably unparalleled fame as a female historical figure.

Yet we must ask ourselves: why? What is it about this individual that strikes us as so intriguing that we, like the Elizabethans before us, centuries ago, like the Romans two millennia past, should divert so much of our attention into construing the motivations behind the enigmatic figure that is Cleopatra? We must look not only to Cleopatra, but also to the historical events surrounding the last few years of her rule, in order to truly understand the historical significance bestowed upon her. It was a combination of the tumultuous political upheaval and civil unrest of Rome c.a. 40 B.C. that allowed Cleopatra to utilize her exotic mysticism and considerable political cunning to manipulate the situation in an attempt to fulfill her ultimately patriotic ideals. It is her vital and unique role in these hugely significant historical events that makes her equally indispensable in the annals of history.

The land of Ancient Egypt has forever been a source of intrigue and mystery, both to the people who lived outside of its influence, and to those of us living thousands of years after the Pharaohs ruled the Nile. The dichotomy that existed during the time of Cleopatra between the West, Rom...

... middle of paper ...

...ction).” The Norton Shakespeare: Tragedies. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisaman Maus. London: Norton, 1997. 854-847.

Shakespeare, William. “Antony and Cleopatra.” The Norton Shakespeare: Tragedies. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisaman Maus. London: Norton, 1997. 856-934.

Volkmann, Hans. Cleopatra: A Study In Politics and Propaganda. London: Elek Books, 1958.

Weigall, Arthur. The Life And Times Of Cleopatra. New York: Greenwood Press, 1968.

Works Cited

Deats, Sara Munson. "Rabbits and Ducks." Literature Film Quarterly 20.4 (1992): 284- 294

Rabkin, Norman. Shakespeare and the Problem of Meaning. Chicago: University of Chicago (Press), 1981

Shaw, William P. "Textual Ambiguities and Cinematic Certainties in Henry V" Literature Film Quarterly 22.2 (1994): 117-123