Unraveling Cleopatra Essay - 2799 Words

Unraveling Cleopatra She took a small boat, and one only of her confidants, Apollodorus, the Sicilian, along with her, and in the dusk of the evening landed near the palace. She was at a loss how to get in undiscovered, till she thought of putting herself into the coverlet of a bed and lying at length, whilst Apollodorus tied up the bedding and carried it on his back through the gates to Caesars apartment. Caesar was first captivated by this proof of Cleopatras bold wit, and was afterwards so overcome by the charm of her society that he made a reconciliation between her and her brother, on the condition that she should rule as his colleague in the kingdom. (The Life of Julius Caesar, Plutarch; translation by Dryden) Abstract†¦show more content†¦The Cleopatra from Fieldings The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia and Georges The Memoirs of Cleopatra, and a collection of movies including, DeMilles Cleopatra, Mankiewiczs Cleopatra, and ABCs Cleopatra, vary in the extent by which she utilizes her sexuality and intelligence to manipulate Julius Caesar. Fieldings Cleopatra Sarah Fieldings piece, The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia, published in 1757, describes the vilest and frighteningly manipulative Cleopatra who blatantly utilizes her sexuality to wreak havoc on men to achieve political gains. Fieldings Cleopatra adheres perfectly to the Cleopatra depicted by Roman propaganda. Her Cleopatra is as evil, conniving, and crafty as the Romans accused Cleopatra of. Bound in a feather bed, Apollodorus carries her on his back into the palace. Fieldings piece lacks a vivid description of the unrolling of the carpet and simply states, Caesar, pleased with the ingenuity of the contrivance, and charmed with the air in which I suddenly started up and presented myself in his sight, from that moment became my lover(58). Her confidence grows from the power of her sexuality, as evident in the manner of her self-presentation to Caesar. With assurance she stands with poise for his observation. In the piece, Cleopatra openly admits to her use of men, particularly Julius Caesar and