Cleopatra đź”’ Members
Shakespeare. From Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare (died 1616). Cleopatra is the Queen of Egypt, a woman of passionate intensity whose love for Antony and political ambitions drive the tragedy of the play.
Care note: S: also a real historical person. We draw only the play's character, never the real queen. No asp and no death scene.
Age and build
References to her past beauty and current age
“My salad days, When I was green in judgment, cold in blood” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
Described as bearing the weight of time
“That am with Phœbus’ amorous pinches black, And wrinkled deep in time” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
Face and hair
Her eyes are described as commanding and expressive
“Whose eye becked forth my wars and called them home” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 15)
Dress
She wears royal garments including tires and mantles
“Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst I wore his sword Philippan” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 5)
She wears a crown as queen
“Give me my robe. Put on my crown” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 18)
Voice and speech
Her voice is described as shrill and scolding
“When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 1)
She speaks with eloquence and command
“Sink Rome, and their tongues rot That speak against us” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 10)
Signature words
Invokes 'Isis' in oaths
“By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
Addresses Antony as 'my lord'
“O my lord, my lord, Forgive my fearful sails” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 11)
Uses 'Egypt' as self-reference
“I am dying, Egypt, dying” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 16)
Exclaims 'O' frequently in emotional moments
“O, never was there queen So mightily betrayed” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 2)
Uses 'Ah, ha!' in moments of triumph or irony
“I’ll think them every one an Antony, And say “Ah, ha! You’re caught” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 5)
Gait and mannerisms
She is fanned by eunuchs and attended with ceremony
“Enter Antony and Cleopatra, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 1)
She faints or feigns fainting under emotional stress
“Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 2)
She moves with regal bearing and majesty
“What majesty is in her gait” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 9)
Strengths
She possesses great political power and commands armies
“I have sixty sails, Caesar none better” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 10)
She demonstrates courage and resolve in facing death
“I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 18)
She is capable of strategic manipulation and persuasion
“He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 17)
She possesses great wealth and treasure
“This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels I am possessed of” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 17)
Flaws
She is prone to jealousy and violent rage
“By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth If thou with Caesar paragon again My man of men” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
She is manipulative and uses emotional displays strategically
“I’ll seem the fool I am not. Antony Will be himself” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 1)
Her flight from battle causes Antony's defeat
“Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt, Whom leprosy o’ertake, i’ th’ midst o’ th’ fight, When vantage like a pair of twins appeared, Both as the same—or, rather, ours the elder— The breeze upon her, like a cow in June, Hoists sails and flies” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 11)
She is vain and concerned with her reputation
“Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I’ th’ posture of a whore” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 18)
Traits
She is deeply passionate and emotionally volatile
“I am sick and sullen” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 2)
She is intelligent and perceptive about others
“O well-divided disposition!—Note him, Note him, good Charmian, ’tis the man” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
She is proud and refuses to be conquered or humiliated
“Not th’ imperious show Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall Be brooched with me” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 16)
She is theatrical and dramatic in her expressions
“I would I had thy inches, thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 2)
endlessly changeable and fascinating
“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 5)
Lines in their own words
Demanding proof of Antony's love
“If it be love indeed, tell me how much” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 1)
Accusing Antony of betrayal
“O, never was there queen So mightily betrayed” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 2)
Expressing her longing for Antony
“O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 3)
Declaring her resolve to die rather than be humiliated
“I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 18)
Mourning Antony's death
“Noblest of men, woo’t die? Hast thou no care of me” (Antony And Cleopatra, part 16)
Reference sheet
Film looks we will not copy
- Elizabeth Taylor 1963 film look: heavy blue eye make up and black bob
- Claudette Colbert 1934 film look
- Vivien Leigh 1945 film look
- Any asp or snake
- Glamour poses or bare skin
Always book accurate. Every quote above was checked word for word against our stored copy of the text. Pictures are made with AI from the book's own description and checked by hand for film looks.