Cleopatra's and Elizabeth I's Reputation: Critical Analysis of the Image and Extract

Option 1 Cleopatra

What can this image (including the written text) tell us about Cleopatra’s reputations?

Throughout her life, and in the years following her death, Cleopatra gained various reputations based on the different elements of her character that were focused on. Quite often, her reputations differed based on the interpretation of the time period. This extract shows one interpretation of Cleopatra’s reputations from 1917, in which the Palmolive soap company depicted Cleopatra in an advertisement. This advertisement displays Cleopatra reclined on a bed; surrounded by servants preparing her bath. She is adorned with fineries and jewels, including a striking golden headpiece.

The advertisement’s written text addresses how Cleopatra had been a user of Palm and Olive oils and how she had ‘pictured the day when modern science would combine them’ (Bridgeman Images 1917). The wording of this text suggests that Cleopatra had foreseen cosmetic advancements and was ahead of her time. She is also presented as being a knowledgeable figure; she understood how these products benefitted her skin. Cleopatra’s reputation for intelligent thought and pursuits is mostly seen in Arabic sources. In medieval Arabic culture, Cleopatra was renowned as ‘The Virtuous Scholar’. In a study of medieval Arabic writing, El Daly found that Cleopatra’s reputation was that of a scholar who was revered for her contributions in fields such as medicine and cosmetics (El Daly, 2005).

In the image, Cleopatra is arguably presented as a seductive figure; she is scantily clad and lounged on her chair, her hips directed towards the viewer. The clothing, jewellery, and chair radiate luxury and indulgence. These elements together create an image of Cleopatra being a debauched seductress; a reputation most depicted in Roman sources. In Plutarch’s biographies, Cleopatra is deemed as being part of the downfall of once-great Roman men (Plutarch, 1965). Both Plutarch and Cassius Dio discuss how Mark Anthony was corrupted by Cleopatra, with Dio writing that Mark Anthony had ‘abandoned his whole ancestral way of life’ and ’embraced alien and barbaric customs’ (Cassius Dio, 1987). Both authors were influential in creating a reputation of Cleopatra based on her indulgent and seductive nature, with a clear reference to how these juxtaposed with the Roman values of austerity, pragmatism, and morality.

Cleopatra’s reputations thus far have been ones formed from the views and interpretations of Arabic and Roman audiences many years after her death. In her lifetime, Cleopatra actively attempted to shape her own reputation to appease both the Greek elite and the Egyptian masses whom she ruled. This advertisement does little to display this element of Cleopatra’s reputation; she appears disassociated from her subjects in the background, not only in terms of space but also in terms of race. She is clearly portrayed as a Caucasian woman, whereas historians still have little evidence of her race. This lack of integration is directly opposed to Cleopatra’s efforts to build a reputation of respect and inclusion of Egyptian culture to legitimise her rule. (Fear 2019)

The influence of earlier interpretations of Cleopatra’s reputations is clearly seen, with Arabic and Roman influences being the most distinct, however, this depiction of Cleopatra was also modified based on the time period it was created. The image of a white Egyptian queen with black slaves presents a positive depiction of colonial rule which would have been much less controversial in 1917, showing how reputations often are reflective of contemporary views (Fear 2019). Furthermore, Roman views have held significance in the western world for many years, which may be why this version of her reputation is so clearly put forth. The Arabic reputations appear less significant and seem to be used only to bolster the product’s appeal.

Word Count: 598

Bibliography:

1. Cassius Dio (1987) The Roman history: the age of Augustus. Translated by I. Scott-Kilvert. London: Penguin, pp. 52–5.
2. El Daly, O. (2005) Egyptology: the missing millennium: ancient Egypt in medieval Arabic writings. London: UCL Press.
3. Fear, T. (2019) ‘Cleopatra’, in Jones, R. (ed.) Reputations. Milton Keynes: The Open University, pp. 5–43.
4. Fear, T. (2019) ‘Cleopatra’. A111: Discovering the arts and humanities. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=1392319 (Accessed: 4th November 2020).
5. Magazine advert for Palmolive, ‘Cleopatra’s Vision’, 1917, colour litho. Photo: Private Collection/The Advertising Archives/Bridgeman Images.
6. Plutarch (1965) The makers of Rome: nine lives by Plutarch. Translated by I. Scott-Kilvert. London: Penguin.

Option 3 – Elizabeth I

What does this extract tell us about Elizabeth’s reputations?

Over the course of her reign, Elizabeth I accumulated reputations based on various aspects of her character. This extract from her posthumously named ‘Golden Speech’ was delivered to parliament in 1601. At the time, England was facing economic issues, and this was thought to be the intended topic of this speech; yet Elizabeth focused on her position as queen and the love she held for her country instead (Marcus et al., 2000). Speeches, along with portraits, were essential in establishing Elizabeth’s reputations and, in turn, her public image at the time and in the years that follow.

Throughout the extract, Elizabeth made references to her role as the queen being blessed by God. In particular, she commented that she was God’s ‘instrument to maintain his truth and glory’ (Marcus, L.S et al., 2000). Through this, Elizabeth built a reputation as being God’s chosen ruler of England, legitimising the rule of a female monarch which was controversial and much opposed at the time. During this period, God was believed to intervene in earthly events, as such reference to God was a clever tactic in defending her rule as a female monarch. (Allen and Younger, 2019). Modern historians, Strong (1987) and Levin (1994) agree that this reputation was built deliberately by Elizabeth and her Councillors. Moreover, they express how Elizabeth appropriated the imagery of the Virgin Mary to divert the idolisation of Mary to herself during the Reformation. Yet no reference is made to her reputation as the Virgin Queen in this speech despite it being a reputation that was often depicted in her portraiture. As this speech came from the end of her rule, her virginity had meant that the country was going to be left without a successor; an issue which caused much distress.

Elizabeth also built a reputation of possessing the qualities attributed to a great male ruler, whilst being in the body of a woman. In this speech, and often in many others, she referred to herself using the male royal titles ‘king’ and ‘prince’, yet she does not shy away from mentioning how being a woman means she is a victim of ‘sexly weakness’ (Marcus, L.S et al. 2000). Historian Christopher Haigh argues that Elizabeth acknowledged her femininity whilst also emphasising her masculine traits to build an androgynous reputation (Haigh, 1988). This would allow her to call upon qualities of either gender to appeal to her audiences in different manners. We see her androgynous reputation in this speech when she uses her masculine persona when referring to royal duties like defending her country, an act that was associated wholly with men. Whereas a feminine touch is felt when she speaks almost sentimentally about the love she feels for her country.

We must also consider the authenticity of this extract as Elizabeth was famed for giving speeches without written support. Therefore written copies were made by those in the audience and distributed afterwards. It is likely this is not the exact words spoken by Elizabeth thus the reputations presented may not be entirely of her own crafting, but instead have come from the interpretations of those present.

In this extract, some of Elizabeth’s reputations have been highlighted, whilst others were not shown. In particular, there was no reference made to her virginal status; her link to her father (Henry VIII), or her being an almost superhuman, ageless figure. Elizabeth’s reputations seemed to be tailored to suit the people and problems she was facing so it may be that in the time of this speech, she did not need these reputations to appeal to her audience.

Word count: 598

Bibliography:

1. Allen, G. and Younger, N. (2019) ‘Elizabeth I’. A111: Discovering the arts and humanities. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=1395429 (Accessed: 5th November 2020).
2. Extract from ‘The Golden Speech’ in Marcus, L.S., Mueller, J. and Rose, M.B. (eds.) (2000) Elizabeth I: Collected Works. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, pp. 341–42.
3. Haigh, C. (1988) Elizabeth I, Harlow and London: Longman.
4. Levin, C. (1994) The heart and stomach of a king: Elizabeth I and the politics of sex and power. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, pp. 3, 26–8 (footnotes omitted).
5. Strong, R. (1987 [1977]) The cult of Elizabeth: Elizabethan portraiture and pageantry. London: Thames and Hudson, pp. 114–16 (footnotes omitted)