Baker, K: Cleopatra:Three Visions

Cleopatra has been praised and vilified both during her life and in the two centuries afterward. How can we separate the derogatory characterization of her from the reality? The Romans, under the reign of Augustus, engaged in a mudslinging campaign against Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony. He feared Cleopatra for her association with Julius Caesar and the son she had by him. When Mark Antony joined up with Cleopatra after Caesar s assassination she posed a very real threat to Augustus Caesar s empire. Something had to be done. Ever since Cleopatra put the asp to her bosom writers have been exploring the myth that became the African Queen. Was she the loose, lascivious wanton who used her considerable charms to lure world leaders to her bed only to save her throne? In the three Early Modern plays analyzed here we discuss their positive and negative views of the famous Egyptian Queen. Samuel Daniel, Mary Sidney and William Shakespeare all create visions of Cleopatra with surprising elements of personality and morality.