Resumo de Cleopatra In Shaw's Play

In his famous play "Caesar and Cleopatra", Shaw describes Cleopatra as a complex character.Much of the fascination of Shaw's Cleopatra comes from the fact that she is quite different from what we expect her to be.Usually we consider her as an exotic temptress who attracts men like a magnet.But in Shaw's play she is depicted as a badly brought up young adolescent girl.In the beginning of the play she is superstitious and ignorant.But she gains sophistication later on and her character remains consistant throughout the play.

She is a self-centered person.All her worries are about her personal dangers and personal ambitions.In the very first scene, she runs to the desert hoping that Sphinx will protect her from the Romans.Here she shows no interest in the fate of her followers.Later when she is trapped in the Pharos Island and when the mob is attacking the palace after Pothinus's death, she cares only about herself.There is a tinge of self-interest seen in her relation with Caesar too because she knows that he is the only person who can put the power of Egypt into her hands.Once this is done, she is glad when he takes leave.

Cleopatra has a strong streak of viciousness.Caesar is troubled more than once by the malice and bloodthirstiness that she displays.Her savage desire for Pothinus's blood is even more shocking.The murder is absolutely necessary to soothe her pride.Once the murder is accomplished, her delight has a flavor of Hysteria.In many other instances we see her speaking with relish of killing, beating and throwing people to crocodiles.

But in spite of all these flaws she has a great capacity to learn.Within six months, she understands Caesar more than the stubborn Rufio or the conservative Brittanus.Caesar teaches her a great deal about how to wield power.It is from Caesar that she understands what is Dignity, what is courage and what is Responsibility.

Regarding the relationship between Cesaer and Cleopatra, there is no sexual love between them.Caesar has only a fatherly affection towards her and Claopatra has only gratitude and admiration towards Caesar.To sum up, between the wise tolerant Caesar and the young selfish girl queen, there exists only a relation between a master and a pupil and there is no emotional involvement also.Thus Shaw here demonstrates thet it is possible to have a significant human relationship without emotion as its basis.

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