The hidden feminism of Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study is analyzing drama as one of branch of literature using feminist literary criticism. The researcher describes the oppression of the spatriarchal Rome to Cleopatra, the struggles of Cleopatra to face the patriarchal Rome, and the victories of Cleopatra in facing the patriarchal Rome.

It uses descriptive qualitative research which is designed to obtain information concerning with the current status of phenomena (Ary: 1979. 25). The object of the study is tragedy drama ،،Antony and Cleopatra”, which was written by William Shakespeare in 1606 or 1607. It was not printed separately and appeared first in the folio of 1623 and was published in Penguin Popular Classics But the researcher used the book, which was printed in 1994. In appreciating '1Antony and Cleopatra” drama, the researcher analyzes the literary work only, without thinking of the author’s background and the effect to the society.

It was found out that Cleopatra has predicated as ،،lustful gipsy”, ،،wrangling queen”, an ،،Egyptian dish”, a “slave”, salt Cleopatra, a “whore”, and the noble ruin of her magic, lost of honor, and less intelligent. And also she has no equal right in making decision. She did’nt keep silent, but she tried to solve her problem and against patriarchal Rome view’s to her. In her struggle she combined her sexuality that has been labeled wrong by patriarchal Rome and political power to face patriarchal society. And finally she got the victories in her effort. Through her death she proven that she was reborn and free from patriarchal Rome system. And also she could show her ideology that women must stand up for thier ideal.

This work expectedly can enrich the understanding of feminism in literary work in general. Then, the researcher suggests to the first, the feminist activist, who research some values of feminism, can be used as the source of consideration or reference for feminist study. And the second, the readers or other researchers who want to conduct similar study; they can analyze feminism in the other object. Not only in drama but also in poetry or novel.