『안토니와 클레오파트라』에 나타난 페미니즘 전략과 그 한계

Abstract

Gyeong Hye KimShakespeare's Cleopatra has come into the spotlight as an ideal woman for feminists since the feminism gained power. The feminists worshiped and idealized Cleopatra who had power by her absolute beauty, brilliant wit and words, and dominated men. By dominating men, Cleopatra could preserve her own country and her position as a queen as well. Cleopatra made the most of her beauty as the first strategy and witty words as the second strategy for this purpose. Whatever the situation was, she always focused on expressing her own thoughts, not listening to others' advice. Even before the battle at Actium most generals of Antony gave some appropriate advice to her, but she wouldn't accept their advice, and finally she lost the battle against Caesar. In addition Antony killed himself by her trick. She lost everything - country, position and Antony. She tried to deal with Caesar by her own way, that is to say, her own strategies. It was impossible for her to induce and dominate Caesar, because his personality was quite different from Antony's.Some critics say Cleopatra won the transcendental love of Antony in other world. In this world, however, she was a loser.As a conclusion, Cleopatra as a queen tried to protect her country by dominating men. To do this she used witty words as well as her beauty. Just concentrating on expressing her thoughts, she failed to listen to others' advice. Finally she lost everything.