Entre antigos e modernos: representações de Cleópatra VII na peça “Antônio e Cleópatra”, de William Shakespeare, de 1607

Abstract

In this work, we address the contributions of William Shakespeare, one of the most famous exponents of Elizabethan drama, in the representation of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII in the play "Antony and Cleopatra," written in 1607. Drawing from the concepts of reception (JAUSS, 1994) and representation (CHARTIER, 1991), we perceive how the author imbues his writing with the issues of his time, encompassing the reading of texts from authors of the Greco-Roman classical antiquity for the subsequent construction of the representation of historical characters as components of his theatrical plays. With the transformations in 16th century England as a backdrop, we examine how changes in the political, religious, social, and cultural spheres provided a conducive environment for a new form of theater. Placing Cleopatra as the central character of our investigation, we utilize the concepts of power/powers (PERROT, 1992) to understand her roles portrayed in the play, based on her relationships with other characters, in order to comprehend the author's relevance in this construction. We also aim to provide an overview of how other artistic representations of Cleopatra are derived from Shakespeare's text and explore the possibilities of using the play as a source for teaching history.