Roman Attitudes to Cleopatra

What do we learn about the Roman attitude to Cleopatra?

The Roman attitude to Cleopatra is debateable. It can be argued that it is both positive and negative. In the positive sense, during the Barge Speech, Enobarbus speaks admiringly about Cleopatra. He is so astonished by her that he is moved to poetry, which is surprising due to him being a strong, masculine and macho Roman solider. “Purple the sails, and so perfumed that the winds were love-sick with them,” Here Enobarbus personifies the winds as if they could be love sick with Cleopatra, showing how overwhelmingly beautiful she is. A similar quote to this is “Whistling to th’air, which, but for vacancy, had gone to gaze on Cleopatra, too,” This goes beyond and writes that if the air was not needed in order for people to breathe, it would have also left to catch a glimpse of Cleopatra, showing how popular and powerful she is that even she has authority over the air. Her beauty is that strong that Enobarbus says, “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale.” Telling us that no matter how old she gets, she will always be as beautiful. We learn that Cleopatra is not only powerful and beautiful, but that she is also courageous, in which the Roman’s would find appealing as they are attracted to people of power. This is evident when Antony invites her to supper, and she simply rejects him saying he should become her guest. The courageousness in Cleopatra’s rejection shows when Enobarbus tells us, “Our courteous Antony, whom ne’er the word of ‘No’ woman heard speak.” Someone who is constantly told yes and approved of by women might find it shocking to her this, which shows that Cleopatra recognises her authority and power. It is evident that Enobarbus admires Cleopatra, as well as Antony, showing us that they do respect her. Also, at how Antony prepares for Cleopatra’s shows us how he has become infatuated in her already, “Being barbered ten times o’er.” Tells us how determined he was to make a good impression on her....