Quinn Cunningham
October 30, 2002
Fiction Report
I. Complete Bibliographical Reference
Rofheart, Martha. The Alexandrian. Thomas Y. Cromwell Company.
New York,
NY. 1976.
II. Brief biographical sketch of the author
Martha Rofheart was born May 27, 1925 in Louisville, KY. She was
married twice, the second time in November 1952 to an art director,
Ralph Rofheart. She had one child, Evan Rofheart. She attended the
University of Cincinnati. In the 1940s and 50s, she was a stage
actor, appearing in Broadway shows, which is where she began to
get her inspiration from Shakespeare. (Many of her books have a
connection to one of Shakespeare's plays.) So far, she has written
six books, starting in 1972 with Fortune Made His Sword. She generally
writes novels of historical fiction. Her books have gotten primarily
good reviews. Two awards Rofheart won were the open division of
a one act play when she was ten and the "Daughter of Mark Twain"
award for general literary work.
III. Brief account of historical/cultural background of the work
Vietnam had ended so the US was fairly happy. Jimmy Carter was president
and within the next year, the US would give up the Panama Canal.
Also Apple introduced a new computer that would evenually turn out
to be the desktop. The US was generally in a good state of mind.
IV. The principle sources used or traditions followed
Rofheart used both ancient and modern literature to gather her information
on Cleopatra. Her primary ancient source was Plutarch, but she also
used Julius Caesar, Cicero, and Strabo along with some others. The
modern books she used were all focused on mainly Cleopatra, Caesar,
and Rome.
V. A summary of the plot or thesis
The story is told from Cleopatra's point of view. We start with
Cleopatra trying to gain respect as a queen after her father dies
and she takes over the throne. Iras and Apollodorus are good friends
of Cleopatra and help her realize the important things in life (like
learning, not just beauty). Her first love is Neo, Pompey's son,
but once Cleopatra meets Caesar and they have their romantic relations,
Caesar has Neo killed. Cleopatra has Caesarion, but is also interested
in who Caesar's first son was , which he wouldn't discuss. We see
Cleopatra becoming stronger (mentally) as Caesar's health slowly
declines. (He starts to look older and has epileptic fits again.)
Caesar is then killed in the Senate. While in mourning, Cleopatra
and Marc Antony's relationship blossoms. Cleopatra and Marc Antony
work on their lives (people are trying to dethrone Cleopatra and
the second triumvirate is getting underway with ensuing problems).
Cleopatra has Marc Antony's children as he goes through the problems
of whom he must marry and make peace with. Cleopatra ends up making
Octavian mad at Marc Antony when she gets Marc Antony to stay with
her, and the Battle of Actium begins. Cleopatra is then later captured
by Octavian. Once she hears Antony has committed suicide, she decides
she must kill herself, too. We are left with her talking about her
forthcoming death.
VI. Evaluation of the historical/ cultural accuracy
This book is very good about staying true to history. There is perhaps
the added character, Neo, with whom Cleopatra comes close to having
sex with, but she at least does have a very close relationship with
him. The carpet scene is mentioned and the reader sees Cleopatra
have very close relationships with Caesar and Marc Antony. Iras,
Charmion, and Apollodorus all have fairly large roles in the book
- all have a close relationship with Cleopatra. All the major events
that Cleopatra was connected to in one way or another are included
in the book as well.
VII. Characterization of the portrait of Cleopatra
Cleopatra begins as a confident young girl who grows into a strong
woman. She starts "networking" when she is young and quickly
learns how to manipulate the men around her. She knows how to act
to get what she wants (forceful vs. innocent). She also knows how
to act to make the public love her, so she has another asset when
she is in trouble.
VIII. Representative passage illustrating the above
"I could not bear it and stood up, lifting my arm, and giving
the signal that meant mercy at the Games, or so I had been told...Caesar
stood, raising his hand for quiet. He spoke; I remembered he was
known for his oratory....the crowd was moved to tears - and to cheers."
(p. 96-97)
"I must somehow persuade [Marcus], with no trickery, that I
belonged [in Actium] beside him, as much as any man...."
"I [a loyal Roman to Cleopatra] will tell Marcus that I have
seen signs that your Egyptians will not willingly fight without
your presence; in a way it is true..."
And indeed his "strategy" worked. Marcus came to me and
said that he had thought it over, and please would I stay?"
I nodded and said, "Of course you are right, my darling. I
have had many advantages..." (p. 236 - 238)
IX. Overall evaluation as a work of history
This book provides an enjoyable way to read about Cleopatra's history.
The book is very accurate and is written in a way that is entertaining
as well as informative.
X. Overall evaluation as a work of art/literature
This book was fun to read. The fact that it was told from Cleopatra's
voice made it interesting and allowed the readers to feel like they
were Cleopatra.