This scene truly gave me shivers when I watched it, the power given to Cleopatra in the moment with Antony and Augustus standing below her, begging for even just a shred of her power. The theatrics of this scene as well gave Cleopatra so much power. The mise-en-scene of including all three characters, the 2 sitting and Antony standing. The golden colors that the people asking for wealth are wearing while Cleopatra wears the conniving green to show she's not trust-worthy to them. But of all, my favorite part is the low angle from Cleopatra's back. Antony has his head tilted up to Cleopatra, while the camera shrinks his power and glory.
Your interpretation of the power differential between Cleopatra and the two Romans is very convincing, and so is your interpretation of the green color of Cleopatra's dress.
ReplyDeleteThere is one major problem with your analysis, though: you completely misidentify the two Romans. Sitting on the left is Rufio, standing in the center is Germanicus, both officers of Caesar and later Marc Antony. Why is only Germanicus standing in this scene while Rufio is still sitting? Is that a sign of disrespect on Rufio's part? (No, but you need to know what exactly happens in this particular scene).
This is modified bird's eye view, seeing across Cleopatra's shoulder. So we are like one of the Egyptians standing behind her throne and looking down on the Romans, like she does. But anytime you see a character from behind, that makes this character a bit vulnerable. How does this fit the scene here? Anyone wants to chime in?