It is the most powerful love triangle ever captured on film and continues to inspire playwrights, romantics, and movie producers in Hollywood. The lavish spectacle that is epic ion scale has bee viewed by millions across the world. The multi-talented cast is transformed by gorgeous and breathtaking costumes that number 26,000. According to playwright and director Joseph L. Mankiewiez, it is the depth of the characters overcome in "a realm of political intrigues, conflicts, and power" that made the 1963 movie Cleopatra successful. Regardless, it is considered by critics in Hollywood to be one of the biggest box office flops. Written in ancient Egyptian records, Cleopatra is a myth of historic triumph and tragedy. She is one of the most …show more content…
Critics made no reference at all to the superb actors and actress, the fantastic cinematography, the historical accuracy, a spectacular musical score, or the brilliant special effects that left audiences amazed. The movie was so grand in dimensions and noble in scope that it received thirteen Oscar nominations and won six. Other than the critics reviews, there is only two legitimate reasons for the disappointing and perceived failure of Cleopatra. The first was because the film went into production before they had a completed script, a production plan, or an organization in place. The constant changes in directors, actors, actress, and locations also delayed completion of the film. The near-fatal illness of Elizabeth Taylor delayed filming for six months. Secondly, it was corporate politics that resulted in executive indecisiveness in making decisions by producers, directors, and the studio who could not agree on a decision together and stay with it. It was Elizabeth Taylor's exorbitant salary, unreasonable and extravagant demands, for example, that put production of the film further into debt. This constant catering to Ms. Taylor cost 20th Century Fox seven million dollars in salary which is six million dollars more than the original contract of one million dollars. Unfortunately, it also took the studio two years to complete 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)
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
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”)
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
Despite Egypt’s provincial annexation to Rome after her death, Cleopatra managed to keep the Romans at bay for nearly twenty-two years. Unfortunately, much of her achievements have been disparaged and attributed to the utilization of her sexuality. To add, her image as a competent female ruler has been further distorted by the media and literature alike. Much of this misrepresentation can be accredited to the scarcity of reliable and unbiased accounts about her life. The Romans were afraid of Cleopatra’s power and the alliances she created with their generals. Therefore, accounts of her life in Roman scripture are not particularly in her favor.
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.
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 opportunity to be accepted as the wife of Marc Antony nor the mother of Caesar's child. Some historians and authors use the issue of Cleopatra's race as a reason that she was ostracized from Roman society, saying that the Romans were prejudiced against Egyptians, and despite Cleopatra's Greek background, would never accept her as a suitable mate for a Roman consul. This theory, however, is far outweighed by the numerous justifications the Roman people had for their distaste of Cleoaptra. It is not surprising that Cleopatra never found acceptance in Rome, as she offered nothing to the relationship between Egypt and Rome, she stood for everything they were against, and little by little, she succeeded in destroying parts of the society that the Roman people had worked to build.
The woman, by definition is the nurturer of life. She labors through birth, tends to the needs of her family, and assumes unending responsibilities. And while women have given birth to the ancient and modern day male heroes we've come to glorify to this day, we must remember that some of those same women have also been tremendously influential and invaluable all throughout the depths of history. One such woman is Cleopatra, the temptress whose ambition and seduction both augmented her empire's prestige and brought about her theatrical downfall.
All in all Cleopatra was a powerful queen who left a meaningful impact on society.
Two of China’s dynasty that have been called the best or greatest would be the Han and Tang dynasty. Han (206BC-220AD) and Tang (618AD-906AD) lasted a long time and in that time, many great things were created. These two dynasties are often considered very similar with very little differences, from the way they started to the way they ended. In this report, it will show you just how alike and different they are when it comes to culture.
From the early years of her life, Cleopatra learned that to gain the thrown in the dynasty of the Ptolemies it took a lot more then sheer knowledge. She did however have a very good education in which she knew how to speak seven different languages and was the only Ptolemy to have know how to speak Egyptian and Greek ("The Unsolved Death of Cleopatra"). It is clear that even from such a young age Cleopatra was driven to succeed. It appears that it wasn't enough for her to just be educated, but to surpass her siblings and quite possibly her own parents. This was soon proven to be so once she inherited the throne and problems began to ensue. With the title of pharaoh came the marriage to her younger brother, though neither one was willing to share that power together. Soon after taking the throne her brother was found murdere...
... middle of paper ... ... Saying that she was devoted to her empire and raising her children doesn’t seem fitting enough for all that Cleopatra has done. She would be the last Egyptian queen we would ever know, but also the most famous female ruler in world history. Bibliography Burstein, Stanley Mayer.
... quotation shows that Egypt, the land of Cleopatra, is a place of comfort and natural ambience. This description practically characterizes Cleopatra, as she is blessed with the art of seduction and confidence; contrastingly different from the level headed Roman, Antony. The emphasis on the deeper meaning of the setting is evident within film adaptation as all of the domineering love scenes within the movie are filmed in the Egyptian setting, versus the Roman. Shakespeare always placed an importance on the role that Egypt play in seduction. The character portrayal of Cleopatra by actress Hildegarde Neil is essential as it represents everything that is Egypt. Neil masters the art of seduction through her role, as she effectively reveals how Cleopatra shapes Antony into a victim of seduction.
Cleopatra VII, one of the most renowned female ruler in history to be last the last one of her family line of Pharaohs. The myths and stories that surrounded her life have made her the subject of books, movies, and plays. Cleopatra VII has been fascinated people throughout the years, but has been misunderstood by all of them.