This wide-shot shows viewers both the interaction between Caesar and Cleopatra and the Roman-Egyptian audience in the background. We're given a clear view of the pair and setting, giving the effect that we too are part of the audience. The composition as part of the mise-en-scene emphasizes Cleopatra bowing down to Caesar, just as he once knelt to her during her crowning ceremony. Finally returning the submissive favour, Cleopatra acknowledges the moment with a wink. Caesar is sporting his ceremonial purple toga amongst a majority of traditional Roman red. In contrast, Cleopatra and Caesarion are in gold, as are the Egyptian servants. This dichotomy in colour highlights the individual importance of the two as well as the separation and current merging between the two peoples.
This is excellent, Veronica! I love that you bring in the echo of Caesar's own, earlier kneeling in front of Cleopatra and notice that we, the external audience, are like a part of the internal audience.
ReplyDelete