Comparisons Between Cleopatra and Octavia in Antony and Cleopatra Essay

In Antony and Cleopatra, Cleopatra and Octavia are two contrasting characters who come from rivaling societies. The differences between the two women, in both appearance and manner, emphasizes the differing ideals of their respective civilizations. The Roman idea of Egypt is that it is a country of magic and unbridled passion, whereas their account of themselves is one of calm demeanor and rational thought. Both Cleopatra and Octavia seem to represent the ideals of the civilizations they belong to.

Cleopatra is a woman of incredible beauty, charisma and allure. At the beginning of the play, Enorbarbus acknowledges her appeal when he describes the moment when Antony first saw Cleopatra, coming down the Nile River in her barge:

For her own person,

It beggared all description: she did lie

In her pavilioncloth of gold, of tissue

Oerpicturing that Venus where we see

The fancy outwork nature. (2.2.207-211)

Cleopatras command over Antony and civilization come from her unfaltering command of physical appearance. Indeed,Cleopatras almost mystical and magical powers are able to completely take over Antony, who gives up his wife, honor and reputation in order to be her lover. Enobarbus worries about the extent of Cleopatras powers, which seem to never diminish. When Maecenas tells him that surely, Antony will one day leave Cleopatra, Enobarbus replies that this cannot possibly be true:

Never. He will not.

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale

Her infinite variety. Other women cloy

The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry

Where she most satisfies, for silent things

Become themselves in her, that the holy priests

Bless her when she is riggish. (2.2.244-250)

Power over physical appearance is one that Octavia, who is described by one of Cleopatras messengers as being plain, doesnt have. Where a pouted face is enough to bring Antony home from Rome, Octavia is unable to get any attention from him. This is partly because she lacks Cleopatras beauty and extravagant public appearance. For example, when, in Act 3, Scene 6, Octavia goes to visit her brother, Caesar in Rome, she arrives unheralded, and Caesar is insulted:

But you are come

A market-maid to Rome and have prevented

The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,

Is often left unloved. We should have met you