|
|
This topic has been archived and locked - replies are not allowed.
Watched Rome for the first time on dvd and still in shock! What historical/logical reasons could the writers have to depict the Cleopatra as they did.
The most famous woman of her time gets pregnant from an unknown Roman soldier, even though we know Egyptian royalties were so conservative as to marry within family. Not only she keeps her first born (next pharaoh), she fooled Caesar and fought all her life for his birth right as next Caesar. After the defeat, she lets the next pharaoh go safely to Rome with another Roman soldier. Out of all possible places, the best place would be Rome for a child who responds in Egyptian to the address of "his majesty". If Cleopatra was really so stupid, how could she hold the interest of Caesar and Antony for such a long time.
On the contrary, I think Cleopatra was extremely astute woman. She used marriage as an alliance to ward off Roman invasion as long as possible, even though Roman needed the grain and wealth of Egypt. Even persuaded Antony to fight his own people.
So what motivation did the writers have to depict Cleopatra as they did? Even comic books have more logic than this story!
|
Posts:
659
Registered:
9/6/05
|
|
(6 of 66)
Jun 22, 2009 8:52 AM
|
In regards to Cleo's running away or escape shortly prior to her meeting Caesar, I don't think she was scared. She was preserving her own life. Little Bro was a lot younger than she, and it was his ministers/power-mongers, like Pothinos who were really in control.
I do agree that Caesar probably "taught" her the ruling game to a certain degree. Even more likely is that she watched him at work. She was never as "subtle" as Caesar. Nor was she as "forgiving" as he. (Caesar pardoned so many of his enemies.) She knew that to survive, she HAD to be ruthless.
--
Fortune favors the bold.
|
|
|
Posts:
6
Registered:
6/21/09
|
|
(5 of 66)
Jun 22, 2009 12:32 AM
|
|
Hi Alexios, hyker1. I find Bernard Shaw's portrait of Cleopatra most appealing. She was very young when she met Caesar (no more than 20, Caesar being over 50). She was running away scared from her brother. Caesar taught her politics and survival in dog eats dog world. Caesar was her mentor and protector. After that safety net was gone, she became Antony's lover. She managed to stay queen for 20 years by playing all this politics (quite an achievement considering Caesar ruled for only 5 years). Had Antony won the war against Octavian, she would have become the joint ruler of Rome and Egypt. Not bad politics at all!!!
|
|
|
Posts:
659
Registered:
9/6/05
|
|
(4 of 66)
Jun 21, 2009 10:08 PM
|
And, Alexios, I second that motion! 
--
Fortune favors the bold.
|
|
|
Posts:
1,306
Registered:
3/8/07
|
|
(3 of 66)
Jun 21, 2009 7:12 PM
|
> So what motivation did the writers have to depict
> Cleopatra as they did? Even comic books have more
> logic than this story!
Aretzios is gonna love you!
The only excuse I can give for the writers is that they had planned a full three seasons, with a whole season of Antony in Egypt. When they were told they had to cut it down they did a botched job of it.
--
www.pollywalkeronline.com
Now you are yourself, but not yourself; an ideal state for a meeting between lovers.
-Vargtimmen
|
|
|
Posts:
659
Registered:
9/6/05
|
|
(2 of 66)
Jun 21, 2009 4:21 PM
|
snigam, welcome to ROME. There are many things we all question as to the depiction or writing of the series. Some of us are harsher critics than others.
Depiciting Cleo. with her hair sheared short was definitely a different portrayal, but that's what the producers were after in this case. All of the real queen's coinage depicts her in a Greek-style coiffure. Season II had one scene depicting her like that, but again, it must have been a wig!
Glad you're here to join into the banter and discusion. Again, welcome to ROME.
--
Fortune favors the bold.
|
|
|
Posts:
6
Registered:
6/21/09
|
|
(1 of 66)
Jun 21, 2009 3:48 PM
|
Watched Rome for the first time on dvd and still in shock! What historical/logical reasons could the writers have to depict the Cleopatra as they did.
The most famous woman of her time gets pregnant from an unknown Roman soldier, even though we know Egyptian royalties were so conservative as to marry within family. Not only she keeps her first born (next pharaoh), she fooled Caesar and fought all her life for his birth right as next Caesar. After the defeat, she lets the next pharaoh go safely to Rome with another Roman soldier. Out of all possible places, the best place would be Rome for a child who responds in Egyptian to the address of "his majesty". If Cleopatra was really so stupid, how could she hold the interest of Caesar and Antony for such a long time.
On the contrary, I think Cleopatra was extremely astute woman. She used marriage as an alliance to ward off Roman invasion as long as possible, even though Roman needed the grain and wealth of Egypt. Even persuaded Antony to fight his own people.
So what motivation did the writers have to depict Cleopatra as they did? Even comic books have more logic than this story!
|
|
|
|
|
