Cleopatra as Isis

Summary

Cleopatra’s most striking qualities closely resemble those of the goddess Isis, and may have been suggested by her. Before I show the sources of Shakespeare’s knowledge of the cult of Isis, I must state the view of Cleopatra, and of her relationship with Antony, which suggests such an analogy.

The nature of Cleopatra's love stands in contrast to the Roman view of human relationships with which Antony accords. For Antony, the opposition of business and pleasure imposes a choice:

The business she hath broached in the state

Cannot endure my absence.

(i, ii, 172-3)

And though I make this marriage for my peace,

I’ the east my pleasure lies.

(ii, iii, 39-40)

The words 'business' and 'pleasure' are honest, and they mean no more than they say. It is folly to attempt, as Cleopatra does, to force on Antony's pleasure the interpretation of love. "If it be love indeed, tell me how much" (i, i, 14). The grandiose evasions of his reply do not deceive her. "Excellent falsehood!" is her assessment. It would have been folly had she believed him when he implied the priority of pleasure over business: "Let Rome in Tiber melt... .Here is my space." By the end of the act, he has gone to attend to business in Rome.