In this scene we see Cleopatra and Mark Antony having their conversation after the death of Caesar is known to the world. Cleopatra is in a state of weakness and a period of mourn, being lower than Antony showing she is the lesser on of that two in this moment, also you could tell by her dark clothing. This is a medium shot showing they are the focal point of the scene, with nothing really in the background, except the setting. They are having an important conversation that is significant to the story line. We can tell because they are the only characters in the shot, close together, and from an eye level angle. The background is quite dark compared to the light on Antony and Cleopatra, the light being brighter on Cleopatra with Antony looking at her beauty. This is where we see the transition beginning stages of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
It's great that you noticed the slight, but significant difference in the light that is directed at Marc Antony and Cleopatra. Yes, there is definitely more light on her because she is the actual focus of this scene, which is why Marc Antony's gaze is solely focused on her. He wants to know what she's going to do now, if she may even stay in Rome, as he hopes. Her own gaze, however, is turned away from him, so that her refusal to stay with him is immediately evident.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, real ancient Romans would also have worn black or gray mourning garb, just as Cleopatra in this scene. One way, however, to signal that you were in mourning was to neglect your appearance by not shaving or cutting your hair and, in the case of women, by letting your hair down long and unkempt and by scratching your cheeks bloody in despair. In contrast, Cleo is still very well made up, and her low neckline (which would have been scandalous for any married Roman woman) shows that the costume designer also wanted her to come across as very seductive in this scene.
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