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February 27, 2006
Richard A. Levin
Wow! This article brought up so many good claim/data/warrants, you could write a whole paper on this article alone. Levin brings up points that I hadn't even thought about. It was kind of tedious and I had to skim some parts, but I was intrigued overall.
"If Cleopatra's words are taken metaphorically, she is asking as a defeated leader for instructions from the victor; if literally, she is asking how she should physically position herself so as to be ready to accede to what 'she's forced to'." This made me think of how she seemed to be willing to offer herself to Caesar just to gain some power back but then she realizes that if she does that she'll still be surrendering. It's funny because I think that both her and Antony may have commited suicide for honor. This confirms it:Cleopatra's sarcasm veils what she wants: retention of her kingdom. Cleopatra also hints a path to her goal by alluding to the now lost but once familiar ballad, "King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid," in which a beggar woman marries a king who falls in love with her.[10] Cleopatra is hoping for the opportunity to work her charms on Caesar. That also shows the very sexual nature of the story. In the end, as Foster was discussing, it does end up usually being about sex and politics. Levin also uses the quote about the men paying for what their eyes eat. This seems evident when Antony suffers politically for loving Cleopatra. What do you think?
Posted by ErinWaite at February 27, 2006 01:10 PM
Comments
Erin, great point. I totally agree that Cleopatra is looking for one thing and one thing only, her own well-being. I mean, until I read this article I thought that she was just totally passionate for Antony and that was all she wanted. After I read this article though, I can really see how Cleopatra was using everything that she could in order to survive, or to keep anything riches that she could during the surrender to Caesar. You're totally right about the politcs though. I mean, Foster nailed that one on the head. It's everywhere.
Posted by: Andy LoNigro at February 27, 2006 11:51 PM
Thanks! I guess everyone wants power and honor and Cleopatra really goes to extremes. I really saw this in the play. What did you think of the play?
Posted by: Erin at February 28, 2006 08:28 PM