What do the representations of Cleopatra in film and on television (as shown on the DVD Video Cleopatra) tell us about how her reputation has changed over time?

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What do the representations of Cleopatra in film and on television (as shown on the DVD Video ‘Cleopatra’) tell us about how her reputation has changed over time?

Discuss with two or three representations.

Portrayals of Cleopatra have notoriously arrived at a time during political change with a rising of power. Claudette Colbert portrayed Cleopatra as a tactful flirtatious queen willing to do anything for the survival of her people are her nation in the 1934 adaptation. During this time there was a rising of power with female rights. Claudette was beautiful and strong and everything about Claudette’s appearance was marketable with the times fashion as explained by the following two references:

“Yet at the same time Cleopatra helps to foster the overall impression of an Egypt and a Cleopatra remodelled to suit the art deco age” – Tim Chappell, (AA100) DVD1 Cleopatra 3.04

“…the past had become a marketing opportunity” – Tim Chappell, (AA100), DVD1, Cleopatra, 3.31

However Cleopatra’s status as a queen was not the main focus and the role perhaps glamorised romantically for Hollywood, such as seen in the line below from the 1934 film.

“I’m no longer a queen, I’m a woman” – Cleopatra’, (1934)

Despite the rising power in women’s rights, the idea reflects that of the times were men were seem as the dominant gender and that even Cleopatra herself would eventually succumb. This role of Cleopatra was cleverly tailored to keep her in somewhat inferior, Caesar’s leadership clearly out classed her in every way to the point he was very dismissive of her from what at times can be seen as embarrassing antics in an effort to win his affection.

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Elizabeth Taylor’s role of Cleopatra in 1963 had a lot of historical events taking place during that time. Her iconic portrayal kept the very lustful appearance however was a more assertive and authorial queen with female right movements now bigger than ever. Her political stature is highlighted during a time of political up rising such as African Americans fighting for equal rights. A notable reference is the following when Cleopatra demands that Antony kneels before her:

“I asked it of Julius Cesar, I demand it of you!” – ‘Cleopatra’, (1963)

Cleopatra’s dominance over her male counterpart would have given inspiration especially ...

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