Cleopatra Monologue from Caesar and Cleopatra

From Caesar and Cleopatra by Bernard Shaw

female · philosophical · 1:07 min

Do you speak with Caesar every day for six months: and you will be changed. (POTHINUS: It is the common talk that you are infatuated with this old man.) Infatuated? What does that mean? Made foolish, is it not? Oh no: I wish I were. (POTHINUS: You wish you were made foolish! How so?) When I was foolish, I did what I liked, except when Ftatateeta beat me; and even then I cheated her and did it by stealth. Now that Caesar has made me wise, it is no use my liking or disliking; I do what must be done, and have no time to attend to myself. That is not happiness; but it is greatness. If Caesar were gone, I think I could govern the Egyptians; for what Caesar is to me, I am to the fools around me. POTHINUS ((looking hard at her.)). Cleopatra: this may be the vanity of youth.

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