Imagining Cleopatra: Performing Gender and Power in Early Modern England

Shakespeare's portrayal of Cleopatra is just one of many representations of the queen of Egypt in the 16th century. This book explores how Cleopatra was portrayed in early modern period and how her story was mediated and used, from historical lessons to female heroism. It draws on a range of sources, including literary and dramatic works, historical and political contexts, and material culture, to consider what was known and thought about Cleopatra in the period.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 360 pages
\n Publication date: 03 June 2021
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Shakespeare's portrayal of Cleopatra may reign supreme in the collective consciousness, but he was merely one among several 16th-century writers captivated by the enigmatic queen of Egypt. Early modern conceptions of Cleopatra present a diverse, intricate, and multifaceted array of models for comprehending the responses to race, female sovereignty, and classical antiquity during that era. This interdisciplinary exploration delves into representations of Cleopatra in the early modern period, examining how her story was mediated and employed – from drawing historical lessons to symbolizing female heroism. It draws upon a rich tapestry of early historiographical works, political and philosophical treatises, coterie dramatic productions, gender, race, and performance studies, as well as evidence from material culture, to consider what was known and thought about Cleopatra during that time.

This book offers a fresh literary and cultural perspective on one of the world's most contentious and politically charged iconic female figures. It combines a close reading of literary and dramatic works with historical and political contexts, paying particular attention to the three major early modern Cleopatra plays: Mary Sidney's translation of Robert Garnier's Marc Antoine, Samuel Daniel's The Tragedie of Cleopatra, and Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. By examining these conflicting historical and fictional identities, Yasmin Arshad presents a diverse and groundbreaking study of Cleopatra's "infinite variety."

\n Weight: 394g\n
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781350248878\n \n