Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

This passage paints a very vivid image of the Egyptian queen,

Cleopatra. Shakespeare uses a great deal of hyperbolic imagery and

exaggerated language to achieve this. The tone of Enobarbus seems

quite excited and eager; it’s clear that he feels comfortable

describing his antics in Egypt and the beauty of its enchanting queen.

Enobarbus’s famous speech clearly shows an admiring opinion of

Cleopatra from a Roman perspective. He begins by intensely describing

‘the barge she sat in’ had ‘burned on the water.’ This cosmic imagery

of the barge reveals to us that it was so captivating it overrides the

known fact that water extinguishes fire; Enobarbus is exclaiming that

the burning barge is so powerful it reverses the role of the elements.

I think this could also symbolise Cleopatra’s personality. The

elements are also perceived to be in awe of Cleopatra as well as ‘her

people’, and clearly Enobarbus; ‘the winds were lovesick’ ‘the water

which they beat… amorous of their strokes.’ Shakespeare has

personified nature to show that Cleopatra is so captivating and

magnificent the elements have fallen for her instantly, much like

‘when she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart upon the

river of Cydnus.’ Another association of water and love.

Enobarbus creates a brilliant image of the barge, he explains ‘purple

the sails’ connoting royalty and luxury, as the colour purple was

alleged to be very rare and only extremely wealthy people, such as

royalty would be able to afford it. This emphasizes the portrayal of

Egypt and its luxurious environment, and that the amazing queen would

expect nothing less. This cosmic imagery of luxury in Egypt is also

suggested at the start of the passage when Maecenas asks ‘eight wild

boars roasted whole at a breakfast… is this true?’ Enobarbus’s

embellished response is ‘this was but as a fly by an eagle.’ Boasting

that eight wild boars is a pathetic amount compared to the usual

servings at the Egyptian court.

Shakespeare’s excessive use of hyperbolic imagery creates an excited