ESSAY FACTS Flashcards
According to Plutarch how did Cleopatra die?
Suicide, by an asp (snake).
Was Cleopatra a vixen in real life?
No (highly unlikely). A virgin when she met Caesar.
How did Cicero portray Antony ?
Bankrupt son of a bankrupt father. Effeminate. Torrid affair with C. Scribonius Curio, and sneaked into his house (a great offence in roman offence) - invective !!!
What was Plutarch’s take on Cleopatra ?
A cunning, dramatic, seductress.
Antony’s appearance according to Plutarch
Bearded ( highly unlikely considering roman conventions, also Plutarch had Motive to portray him this way, manly, as he was a believed descendant of Heracles, as Plutarch’s biography is a herakle like tale).
Example of difference from reality and TV (Cleopatra)
1963- Grand entrance when she visits Caesar
Cleopatras aims 1963 film
United world in peace
Cleopatras aims in reality
World (Eastern and western at least) domination
Difference of cleopatra between Rome TV show and reality
Was not a virgin when she met Caesar. Has sex with a military man shortly before their meeting. Extremely sexual in TV version !!
Cleopatras Sexuality in 1963 film
With Caesar - Sexuality through fertility and maternity. Giving Caesar a son (promises him one, says will bring Union).
With Antony - exerts her eastern characteristics more to seduce him, as he is concerned with adventure and exotic east at the Time
Cleopatra portrayal in TV show
Childish yet smart. Cunning. Emotional. Drugs Antony to get control - Pretends to be drunk and out of control when really it’s just Antony. Less obviously in control than her 1963 counter part. I.e she has more control on Antony but appears ‘a mess’, where as 1963 is poised and controlled emotionless but doesn’t seem to have as much of a hold on Antony ( more control on Caesar infant, opposite to reality and quite different from TV show)
A mess after Antony’s death - keeps body around to…be with.
Cleopatra portrayal in 1963
Poised. Smart. Less slutty (than TV show). Feminine. Controlled in all she does - grandness and planned death and birth of Caesarian.
