Jan 3, 2010

Antony and Cleopatra | Charmian (Critical Analysis)

She is Cleopatra's most trusted servant. Charmian has a forceful personality and an independent spirit. When she thinks the queen's treatment of Antony is unfair or misguided, she tells her so. Charmian is on familiar terms with her mistress and can tease her about her past life and former lovers. At I.v.66-67, Cleopatra asks Charmian whether, in her judgment, she ever loved Julius Caesar as much as she now loves Antony. Charmian responds with praise of "that brave Caesar!" (I.v.67). "Say, 'the brave Antony,'" the queen commands, but Charmian saucily replies, "the valiant Caesar!"...