When researching the three earlier versions of Cleopatra (1917, 1934, and 1963) I found a similar theme in costume for all three time periods. The role of Cleopatra in regards to costume design and character portrayal were all heavily influenced by the current state of America and its fashion. All three designs created for the movies were inaccurate historically for the real Cleopatra, but was accurate in depicting that specific times fashion. In the 1917 film Cleopatra was played by Theda Bara. Previous to her starring in this film, she had only starred in one film, although between 1915 and 1919 she starred in around 40 films. During those times, and now, she was known as silent films first sex symbol. In her role as Cleopatra, Theda Bara …show more content…
Claudette is shown to be more covered up and “classy” compared to Theda Bara’s 1917 film. In many of the scenes Claudette’s costume consisted of dresses whose purpose was to emphasize her bosoms, although they were less revealing than Theda’s costumes. Claudette’s costume seems to depict the 1930’s when it was made by featuring shiny black sheer fabric as a bra and skirt ensemble. Her costume also seemed to be centered around gaudy jewelry and extravagant accessories such as bracelets and necklaces. Colbert’s hair and makeup does the best at capturing the look of the 1930’s. Claudette Colbert’s hairstyle was pictured as a dark mid-length wavy look which was extremely prominent in the 1930’s. Her makeup was featured with red lipstick, dark eye shadow, and a fair amount of contouring. Another popular style for women during that time were extremely thin line eyebrows, which Claudette also wore. Every part of Colbert’s costume and depiction was straight out of the 1930’s, and in almost no way accurately showed Cleopatra. It was said that Colbert refused to wear a lot of the costumes originally created for her, so in turn she ended up with costumes that were completely her style, and thus reflected fashion in the 1930’s. There are a lot of differences between historically accurate Cleopatra, the 1917 version, and the 1934 remake. The only similarities I found between the
Stacy Schiff author of Cleopatra strives through her book to denounce all historical myths surrounding Cleopatra. With the rigor of a true historian she is able to distinguish historical veracity from historical myth surrounding the queen from antiquity. The author highlights Cleopatra’s role as a powerful woman and in particular how she attempts to manage the various political or economic predicaments she faced. Stacy Schiff gives us a story that is masterfully reconstructed, allowing the reader insight into the historical context of the time- shedding new light on a woman whose greatest fault was not being a man.
Changing social habits of a contemporary society have seen Cleopatra depicted in many different ways. Whilst few artefacts remain of the true image of Cleopatra, we see from her portrait on the coins (Fear, 2008, p, 21 Fig 1.4) that despite being no legendary beauty, she had the power to captivate two of the greatest Romans of her time. Cleopatra consummated her union with Julius Caesar, which strengthened her grip on the throne, following his assassination; she formed alliance with Mark Antony, in opposition to Octavian, a coalition that would lead to her downfall as both Antony and Cleopatra’s combined forces would be defeated against Octavian in the battle of Actium in 31 BCE. (Fear, 2008, p.7)
“Silver Liz as Cleopatra” is a piece completed by Warhol in 1963 and is currently on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. This specific painting portrays actress Elizabeth Taylor as the lead role of Cleopatra, the highest grossing film of 1963. Silver paint, and silkscreen ink and pencil on linen were all used in union to achieve the final result. Here the recurring images of the queen of the silver screen resemble a strip of film or a number of inexpensive and quick snap shots from a photo booth. The representation of Hollywood stars in his works were not an uncommon subject for Warhol as he was infatuated with the world of celebrities. His ability to utilize the methods and techniques...
In this research paper I will be writing about Cleopatra VII. Her early life, family and her relationships’. Cleopatra VII was born around 69 BC and was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra V of Egypt. Her parents got married in the year 79 BC. Her father Ptolemy XII Auletes was the king of Egypt during 80-58 B.C. and 55-51 B.C. He was born in 117 BC and was also known as the “Piper” because he played the flute. He died in 51 BC, Alexandria, Egypt from being exiled. Her mother Cleopatra V was the queen of Egypt, born in 95 BC. She vanished around the time of Cleopatra’s birth in 69 BC then died in 57 BC. Some people believe she was either murdered or that she may have died while giving birth. (“Cleopatras Family”)
Due to biased Roman sources, the way in which modern society views both Cleopatra and Boudicca is far removed from the entire truth. Cleopatra is portrayed today as a physically beautiful harlot and the fact that her story is impossibly intertwined with both Julius Caesar’s and Marc Antony’s provide a source for gossip. She is also misrepresented through various plays and films including William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal of Cleopatra in Cleopatra (INCLUDE A PIC ON MY POWERPOINT!!! ALSO DESCRIBE THIS). Many of the false claims surrounding Cleopatra stem from Octavian’s propaganda during his civil war with Marc Antony. Octavian’s campaign of slander was successful as by the end of the civil war, the Roman’s viewed “Cleopatra as a woman whose beauty clouded men’s minds” (Roberts, R 1999:82).
The Romans were immensely furious with Cleopatra and had primary influence over what sources were left behind about her. So certainly this is going to lead to biases and inaccuracies in the depictions we have. Furthermore, we are all well aware of how Hollywood likes to dramatize and embellish stories in order to generate ticket sales and is not worried about the accuracy of the historical anecdote. Because of this and her popularity, our knowledge of Cleopatra has been flooded with twisted truths. When examining Cleopatra’s full reign beyond her love affairs, reveals Cleopatra put all of her effort forth in order to solve the conflict between Egypt and Rome and should be recognized for her masterminded and commanding leadership
Cleopatra II. Summary: After the completion of the book, it had let me to believe the book was written for the general audience. Although the author provided many resources, the information was taken from literature that was written during the time.
The way women dress now is based off of how Joan Crawford dressed when she was a flapper. Women wear makeup, shiny dresses for special occasions, even wear flowers or feathers on their heads for fashion. Her acting has left a big impact on actresses today. She inspired them to be the best actresses they can be.
The Romans painted a picture of what they wanted people to believe about Cleopatra. They wanted her to be seen as an evil queen who seduced men to her advantage. However this image couldn't be farther from the truth, Cleopatra was an intelligent queen who cared for her people.According to History.com Cleopatra was, “Well-educated and clever, could speak various languages and served as the dominant ruler in all three of her co-regencies.” So what is the truth about the way that the last Egyptian pharaoh dealt with her civilization’s politics?
One main message Cleopatra is presenting to society in the 1960s is the empowerment of women. Although Cleopatra is depicted in many different ways in other films and plays, the 1963 film portrays her as a ruler who tried to bridge gaps between men and women. She overthrew her brother’s power and exiled him and Cleopatra wanted to be seen as equal by both Caesar and Antony. This reflects the women’s movement of the 1960s when women mainly stayed at home and took care of children. On December 14, 1961, John F. Kennedy established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. Led by Eleanor Roosevelt til her death on 1962, this board had twenty members that examined equality of women in school, at work, and by the law. Gender-based restrictions such as hours of work and wages were inspected as well as issues like lack of education and federal insurance and tax laws that were unequal. In 1963, the PCSW issued their report which condemned the discriminations American women face in society. The report concluded with ways to protect women’s rights. The board members wanted for the Fourteenth Amendment to be fully extended to women and even though already entitled to this amendment, women needed for it to be enforced. Recommendations such as equal hiring practices, salaried maternity leave, and inexpensive child care were included in the report. After the release of their final report, the Committee was abolished. Just as John F. Kennedy used his place of power to make necessary differences, Cleopatra did the same. She was one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world and the fact that she was a woman gave her a sort of control over both Caesar and Antony by seducing them. She allowed Egypt to be independent for...
Cleopatra. Dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Perf. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison. Twentieth Century Fox Productions, 1963.
It has been over 2000 years since Cleopatra drew her last breath, ending the rule of the pharaohs in Egypt for good. In the years following her death, there have been many theories as to how she might have died. The most widely accepted theory is that she committed suicide by allowing herself to be bitten by a venomous snake and it is the theory that has been written in most history books as historical fact. Yet, there is increasing evidentiary support that would suggest that her alleged suicide was in fact a homicide. Though, it is hard to find incriminating evidence for something that happened so long ago, the minds behind this theory believe that by using investigative practices of the modern age they are able to piece together the truth of her death. By looking into Cleopatra’s past one can discover that she was not a woman who would just give up, that she would never be capable of her historical suicide.
Around 69 B.C, one of the most famous female rulers ever known was born, she was Cleopatra. She was the descendent of the Egyptian ruler, Ptolemy XII, and she would eventually become the queen of ancient Egypt herself. She was known for being extremely intelligent and very charming, and because of this many romans feared her and viewed her as a threat. When her father died the throne of Egypt was left to her and her brother, Ptolemy XIII, and rivalry formed between the two, making her even more determined to become the sole ruler of Egypt. Cleopatra had trained all her life to be the successor of Egypt, and she hungered for power.
Cleopatra was able to keep the dynasty afloat for quite awhile considering the circumstances. The ‘Legend of Cleopatra’ revolves heavily around how her beauty and seductive tendencies were the best qualities she had to offer. In a book written by Plutarch, however, he states that “[H]er beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her... [H]er presence, combined with the persuasiveness of her discourse and the character which was somehow diffused about her behaviour towards others, had something stimulating about it.” (Plutarch, pg. 197).
She then goes on to explain the parallel it would have made with English society at the time and how it would have made audiences uncomfortable. In the piece she tells us that women were seen as the most masculine they had ever been and that men were playing women in the theatre (well they had to since women were not allowed to). The best example of the reversal or bending of gender roles is when Cleopatra puts her clothing on a drunken Antony, “Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed, then put my tires and mantle on him whilst I wore his sword Phillipan” (2.5.20-23). Not only is this image humorous, it is also clearly feminizing Mark Antony. By feminizing Antony, Cleopatra becomes dangerous, especially to a male audience. Women with the power to be the dominate partner or be the one to embody the masculine role would have been a huge red flag. Not only was Cleopatra a dangerous and mysterious figure to the audience, it made Egypt and the east dangerous and mysterious as