The Effect of Caesar and Cleopatras Affair on Calpurnia

Isra Mahmood BA English Hons II – B 599 Paper IV Project The Effects of the Affair of Caesar and Cleopatra on Calpurnia ------------------------------------------------- Introduction After Hatshepsut, Cleopatra was the only Queen of Egypt who was seriously referred to as â€Å"Pharaoh†. The torrid love affair between one of the highest regarded Queens in history and that of the phenomenal Julius Caesar is considered to be one of the most romantic and grand ones in the world. Cecil B. Demille seems to agree in the trailer to his 1934 film Cleopatra. Maybe this notion is true after all, but when falling head over heels with the idea of this romance, one tends to overlook many disreputable components of the affair. One of those elements if†¦show more content†¦An 1898 performance of Julius Caesar at Her Majesty’s Theatre was reviewed by Percy Simpson who described Calpurnia as a tragic character in her own right, a Cassandra-like figure who clearly foresees approaching disaster, but is powerless to prevent it.(2) Simpson further described her performance; To her horror, Caesar demands his robe, Calpurnia kneels protesting, but to no avail. For the remainder of the scene she sits in the chair at LC, a terrified witness to her husbands folly.(3) Once again, Calpurnia is portrayed as a woman who experiences an inner languish caused by being a witness to the torment her husband is made to go through. Adrien Bonjour in his book The Structure of Julius Caesar, gives credit to Calpurnia for her skill in not only trying to save Caesar, but in stopping him from losing his respect in from of his fellow senators. Bonjour writes, Caesar has declared himself immovable. But Calpurnia, knowing her lord, offers him a way out: call it my fear that keeps you in this house, suggests the tactful wife, and Caesar complies immediately.(4) This is evidence of Calpurnia’s willing submission of insult being caused to her own reputation in order to preserve that of her husband. ------------------------------------------------- It is sometimes disputed that the way Cleopatra’s attraction towards Caesar was fueled by self-beneficiary andShow MoreRelated Cleopatra: The Natural Nemesis of Rome Essay2709 Words   |  11 PagesCleopatra: The Natural Nemesis of Rome Abstract Cleopatra is most often remembered as the lover of two Roman consuls, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, thereby forever connecting the Egyptian queen to the history of Rome. The stories of her relationships with the two men do not always paint a flattering picture of Cleopatra, as her reported promiscuity and presumption give her a colorful reputation. Cleopatra is also sometimes seen as a misunderstood woman, someone who was never given a fair