When he runs from her knife
she sends for him:
"I will not hurt him.
These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself."
She has the fascination of great pride and the magic of manners. When
the messenger returns she is a queen again, most courteous-wise:
"Come hither, sir.
Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news."
She wants to know the features of Octavia, her years, her inclination,
the colour of her hair, her height--everything.
A most veracious full-length portrait, with the minute finish of a
miniature; it shows how Shakespeare had studied every fold and foible of
Mary Fitton's soul. In the third act Cleopatra takes up again the theme
of Octavia's appearance, only to run down her rival, and so salve her
wounded vanity and cheat her heart to hope. The messenger, too, who
lends himself to her humour now becomes a proper man. Shakespeare seizes
every opportunity to add another touch to the wonderful picture.
Cleopatra appears next in Antony's camp at Actium talking with
Enobarbus:
"
Cleo.
Pages:
413
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