An Unmatched Charm
A Temptress
Cleopatra is in many ways a mysterious figure. Not only is little known for certain about her in the historical record, but her motives seem to have been a secret as well. Granted, her time of reign was more than 2000 years ago, yet she has left a legacy strong enough to survive throughout the generations. Cleopatra's name invokes in us images of a woman of great beauty, an Egyptian temptress, one powerful enough to make any man fear for his life. She was raised to be a queen, and because of her charm and beauty, became the first non-Egyptian female to be Pharaoh.
Cleopatra's great beauty, however, may be an exaggerated characteristic of the queen. Many of the coins issued during her reign do not present a slim Elizabeth Taylor, instead, she is portrayed as a woman who looks strong, and capable of dealing with great power. She seems to have won more for herself through her charm and her wit. She could speak 9 languages fluently and she had the ambition to learn the culture of her people, making her a more attractive Pharaoh to the common Egyptians. She was a woman focused on the beauty of her kingdom, rather than the beauty of herself.
Yet, Cleopatra knew how to use being a woman to her advantage. In a time when men ruled the world, it was unheard of for a woman like Cleopatra to be ruling a growing, powerful kingdom. She was able to do this by capturing the hearts of men; men with plenty of power. She ensnared not only one but two Roman rulers, Caesar and Marc Antony, to help her in her conquest. Both of these relationships were grounded in mutualism, because all parties involved were benefiting from one another. They provided each other not only love, but finances, armies, and political power as well.
I have seen how the cat asleep
would undulate, how the night
flowed through it like dark water;
and at times, it was going to fall
or possibly plunge into
the bare deserted snowdrifts.
Sometimes it grew so much in sleep
like a tiger's great-grandfather,
and would leap in the darkness over
rooftops, clouds and volcanoes.
- excerpt from "Cat's Dream"
Cleopatra's great beauty, however, may be an exaggerated characteristic of the queen. Many of the coins issued during her reign do not present a slim Elizabeth Taylor, instead, she is portrayed as a woman who looks strong, and capable of dealing with great power. She seems to have won more for herself through her charm and her wit. She could speak 9 languages fluently and she had the ambition to learn the culture of her people, making her a more attractive Pharaoh to the common Egyptians. She was a woman focused on the beauty of her kingdom, rather than the beauty of herself.
Yet, Cleopatra knew how to use being a woman to her advantage. In a time when men ruled the world, it was unheard of for a woman like Cleopatra to be ruling a growing, powerful kingdom. She was able to do this by capturing the hearts of men; men with plenty of power. She ensnared not only one but two Roman rulers, Caesar and Marc Antony, to help her in her conquest. Both of these relationships were grounded in mutualism, because all parties involved were benefiting from one another. They provided each other not only love, but finances, armies, and political power as well.
I have seen how the cat asleep
would undulate, how the night
flowed through it like dark water;
and at times, it was going to fall
or possibly plunge into
the bare deserted snowdrifts.
Sometimes it grew so much in sleep
like a tiger's great-grandfather,
and would leap in the darkness over
rooftops, clouds and volcanoes.
- excerpt from "Cat's Dream"
A Huntress
A cat will often slink from room to room, either unnoticed or as the center of attention, depending upon it's desire in the moment. Cats move with stealth and grace and are born to be silent and beautiful hunters. Cleopatra can be seen as a cat in human form, moving both physically and socially with grace and charm. Not only did she have an alluring presence, but her mind was sharp as well. Constantly moving; keeping track of her enemies; attitude always prowling and ready to be the “surpriser”, not the “surprised”; just as a cat stalks its prey. She presented an extremely composed poker face, only letting those she truly loved see her true self, just as a cat will only let those it trusts sit and pet them.
In Neruda's poem, I can see how the cat's dream is like Cleopatra's dream. “...the night/ flowed through it like dark water...” just as her ambitions flowed through Cleopatra's mind, taking her and Egypt to the brink of unstoppable power. Her small beginnings were like the house cat, and her growing influence and kingdom eventually transforming into the great majesty of a leaping tiger; leaping over “rooftops, clouds and volcanoes”, on her way to the rest of the uncharted world.
In Neruda's poem, I can see how the cat's dream is like Cleopatra's dream. “...the night/ flowed through it like dark water...” just as her ambitions flowed through Cleopatra's mind, taking her and Egypt to the brink of unstoppable power. Her small beginnings were like the house cat, and her growing influence and kingdom eventually transforming into the great majesty of a leaping tiger; leaping over “rooftops, clouds and volcanoes”, on her way to the rest of the uncharted world.