A Literary Analysis of Cleopatra's Moon, a Book by Vicky A. Schecter

Summary

Cleopatra Selene was the daughter of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and Mark Antony, the Roman General. Cleopatra Selene was declared the future queen of Cyrenaica and Crete on the day her father returned from battle. However, this plan was thwarted when war was declared on her mother, the queen of Egypt. Her mother, the queen, and her father, the Roman general, went off to war, only to return defeated. Octavianus, the Roman Emperor, came to seize all of Egypt’s wealth, its queen, and her children. Before the departure, the queen of Egypt took her own life, knowing that her children would be protected while in Rome. Cleopatra Selene declared war on the Roman Emperor and proclaimed that she would reclaim Egypt using the powers and gifts that the gods had bestowed upon her. During her journey, she tragically lost her brother, Ptolemy. She was soon sent off to marry the new king of Mauretania, but her twin brother, Alexander, died before they arrived, poisoned by Octavianus’s sister, Octavia (Schecter, 2011).

Personal Response

I personally found the book engaging and insightful. Initially, I assumed it would be dull and that I wouldn't be compelled to read it, but it turned out to be very intriguing. Through this book, I learned a great deal about Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, not only from the narrative but also from the additional research I conducted on the characters. I also expanded my vocabulary, learning that Cleopatra Selene was named not only after her mother but also after the Greek goddess Selene, the goddess of the moon. It was inspiring to witness how Cleopatra Selene managed to persevere through all her hardships, driven by her singular focus on reclaiming Egypt. As the story unfolds, you see her growth from the first day she arrived in Rome into a very intelligent, wise, and cunning woman. Her evolution is a testament to her resilience and determination, qualities that are central themes of the book.

Setting Analysis

The setting plays a significant role in how Cleopatra Selene was treated and how she felt. In the beginning, she was as happy as can be, with not a care in the world. “As the priests and priestess chanted the final prayers, I wanted to jump and cheer and laugh. It was my family’s proudest moment!” (Schecter, 2011, p. 10). The mood here is very exciting and joyful, reflecting her happiness. However, as the story progresses, the setting changes to reflect her misery and struggles. “I shivered now, despite the heat. Sweat already plastered my white pleated linen dress to my back, even though the sun had only just peaked over the hills. High summer in Rome was miserable enough” (Schecter, 2011, p. 160). In this scene, Selene feels miserable, and the oppressive heat in Rome, combined with her being chained to a chariot, dampens her once-bold spirit. “I cradled the back of Alexandro’s head with one hand and wound the linen strips around it with the other. When I reached his eyes, I began to cry again” (Schecter, 2011). Death is a touchy subject no matter who you are. In this scene, she’s on a boat with her enemies, her servant, and her deceased brother. The setting effectively breaks her spirit. Throughout the book, the setting significantly influences Cleopatra Selene's emotions. It can make her feel joyous, devastated, or pathetic, depending on her location and circumstances, highlighting the book's exploration of the impact of environment on human experience.

References:

Schecter, V. A. (2011). Cleopatra's Moon. Arthur A. Levine Books.