Would Your Rather: Julius Caesar or Mark Antony?

Last week, I read three different screenplays: Lost in Translation, American Beauty, and Frances Ha. The latter sent me spiraling. The titular character in the film is a 27-year-old dancer in New York City trying to figure it all out while the people around her are making moves. She’s struggling; hopping around from apartment to apartment, barely staying afloat. All the while, she’s keeping a brave face. Maybe if I watched/read this later on in life, I would not have been as upset. Have you seen the film?

Possibly, in anticipation of Booker 2023, I haven’t been reading any fiction. However, I’m in the middle of the nonfiction book, Parallel Lives: Five Victorian Marriages* by Phyllis Rose. The book is Steve Donaghue approved. It was also mentioned in Lives of the Wives and this New Yorker article about a philosopher who divorces her husband after falling in love with a grad student. (She ends up living with both men and their children. A real modern family.)

Anyways, back to Parallel Lives: Phyllis Rose is exploring the idea of the marriage unit as essentially the smallest political unit within a society. She also makes the case that marriages in the Victorian Era have a lot in common with marriages of 1983. All things considered, forty years post-publication, I don’t think a lot has changed.

Parallel Lives looks at the marriages of Charles Dickens, John Ruskin, Thomas Carlyle, John Stuart Mill, and George Eliot. (Peep this cute painting of George Eliot) I’m currently reading about Charles Dickens' marriage to Catherine "Kate" Dickens. He is in the midst of a midlife crisis and just maneuvered a separation from his wife of 22 years and 10 children. I’m feeling very upset by his bad behavior and lack of self-awareness.

Earlier in the year, I read a nonfiction biography which I’m still thinking about. Once again, this book comes highly recommended by Steve Donoaghue. The book in question? Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author brings to life a woman who history (primarily male historians, philosophers, and authors) has painted as a “sex-crazed, power-mad hussy.”** Schiff flips the script by turning to the primary documents and comparing sources.

I found it to be an entirely engrossing read: from Cleopatra’s education, her Macedonian ancestry, her oratory skills, her political maneuverings, and obviously, her love life. This book not only delivers but also reveals key differences between Alexandria and Rome which helped to shape the less-than-stellar reputation Cleopatra gained once the Egyptian empire crumbled and fell into the hands of Mark Antony’s nemesis Octavian.

Despite all that was said about her, it was clear she was an effective ruler. Under her reign, the Egyptians neither rioted nor rebelled. This fact is an outlier as most Egyptian rulers were constantly combatting ruin from within. She helped grow the empire’s coffers. She had political acumen. She was clever and bold. She was also proud. But, if you were told you’re a goddess incarnate wouldn’t you also be a little proud?

While reading the book, Stacy Schiff delves into Cleopatra’s romantic dalliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Both men entered her life when Cleopatra was at completely different stages in her life. When Cleopatra met Caesar she was about 21 years old and battling with her younger brother for the throne. She took a gamble on her interactions with Caesar and they paid off. She not only secured her empire but also gained a partner.

When Cleopatra and Marc Anthony entered into a relationship she was closer to 30. She had proved her mettle. While Caesar was mature and stoic, giving big Cap energy, Marc Antony was a little bit of a class clown. Stacy Schiff shares some great anecdotes about his antics in Alexandria. You read them and you came away with the understanding that Antony was gregarious and spirited. He knew how to lead an army and how to have a good time. Dare I say, man was a Sag?*** Reading about both men, I found myself asking the important question: Who would I rather date? It’s something I’m still thinking about. If you’ve got an answer, hit reply and lmk.

Also, here’s what’s on my wishlist:

• Prada Beauty is back. The brand initially brought cosmetics onto the market in 2000. They later discontinued the line. With this new relaunch, I’m intrigued. The packaging is cute-ish? Would probably try a lipstick first before committing.

• Acne Studios Wrap Trousers: Saw these IRL in Paris, and I think I would wear them non-stop.

• I find it really hard to find a desirable handbag. I’m not even fond of carrying a bag. It’s so cumbersome but I do need one… I do think about this Jil Sander one but I don’t love black.

*If you buy anything from these links, I will make no money b/c I have not figure out how to monetize things lol
**This is a quote from Amazon’s India’s site but idk who wrote it actually
***Turns out Marc is a Cap Sun and Julius is a Cancer sun - LOL