This paper relates that one of the cultural ideologies, which were prominent in Shakespeare's day, was that in order for
a woman to be considered a "good" woman, they must embody three certain characteristics: Silence, chastity and obedience. The author points out that Shakespeare's characterization of Cleopatra certainly has
similarities to Elizabeth 1, but it goes even further and makes Cleopatra into an exaggerated version of Elizabeth except Cleopatra uses her
sexuality to increase her power, while Elizabeth had to remain chaste in order to maintain her power. The paper relates that another manner in which Cleopatra's character diverges from the cultural attitude toward women is that she is not silent although in some points in the play Cleopatra seems submissive and even quiet or passive