"Defect Perfection" In Shakespeare's Play Antony and Cleopatra.

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"defect perfection” Antony and Cleopatra analysis

The phrase "She did make defect perfection" (Act 2, Scene 2, line 242) is spoken by the Roman general Enobarbus in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. This line is a key part of his famous description of Cleopatra on her barge and encapsulates her unique, paradoxical charm and infinite variety.

Context of the Quote

The quote appears during a conversation between Enobarbus and Agrippa, another Roman, in Athens. Agrippa is proposing that Antony marry Octavia, Octavius Caesar's sister, to solidify the alliance between the triumvirs. Enobarbus, who has spent time in Egypt, comments that this marriage will not last because Antony will inevitably return to Cleopatra. To explain her irresistible pull, he recounts her first meeting with Antony on the river Cydnus.

Analysis of the Phrase

Enobarbus's statement means that Cleopatra possessed such a captivating aura that even her imperfections or moments of human frailty became admirable and part of her overall charm.

Paradoxical Nature: The phrase highlights the central paradox of Cleopatra's character. She does not conform to rigid Roman ideals of beauty, duty, or decorum. Her appeal lies precisely in her dynamic, unpredictable nature that combines supposed opposites: maturity and beauty, cunning and folly, majesty and debauchery.

Beyond Roman Perception: Romans value order, discipline, and constancy (embodied by Octavia and Octavius Caesar). Enobarbus, a pragmatic Roman who is generally unbewitched and judges people wisely, uses this phrase to show that Cleopatra operates on a different, almost magical, level that defies conventional Roman logic.

A "Blessed Lottery": Enobarbus describes how she would deliberately create moments of "defect" that were so charming they seemed "fair and admired". He recalls one specific instance: "And, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted, / That she did make defect perfection, / And, breathless, power breathe forth". Even her physical exertion from playful activities made her more alluring.
Authenticity and Power: This ability to turn "defects" into "perfection" suggests an authenticity and natural charisma that is far more powerful than any carefully constructed image. It makes her seem more real and desirable than the controlled and restrained Octavia, ultimately reinforcing why Antony is "her play-game she can control".

Ultimately, the phrase is a testament to Cleopatra's unique and indefinable charm, a perfection that arises from embracing all aspects of her complex humanity, including her flaws.