Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Nunc Est Bibendum, Cleopatra's Death" by Robert Lowell reflects on the demise of Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, and the subsequent celebration of her defeat by the Romans. The poem’s title, which translates from Latin as "Now is the time for drinking," alludes to the opening lines of Horace's Ode 1.37, a poem celebrating Cleopatra's defeat by Octavian (later Augustus Caesar). Lowell's poem explores themes of power, defeat, and the dignified choice of death over humiliation.

The poem opens with the phrase "Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede liberum," invoking the atmosphere of celebration and revelry. This celebratory tone marks the Roman triumph over Cleopatra, who had been a significant political and romantic figure, allied with Mark Antony. The lines suggest that it was previously considered shameful to indulge in festivities while Cleopatra plotted her ambitions: "Before this it was infamous to banquet, while / Cleopatra plotted to enthrone her depravity naked in the Capitol." Here, Lowell echoes Roman propaganda, portraying Cleopatra as a figure of debauchery and ambition, aiming to assert her power even within the heart of the Roman Empire.

The phrase "impotent, yet drunk on fortune's favors!" captures the paradox of Cleopatra's situation. Despite her former power and influence, she finds herself powerless ("impotent") but still caught up in the intoxicating allure of her past successes. The imagery of being "drunk on fortune's favors" suggests a loss of clarity and control, leading to her eventual downfall.

The poem shifts to a more somber and reflective tone as it addresses Cleopatra's final moments. Caesar (Octavian) is depicted as having "tamed" Cleopatra's "soul," implying that her defeat has brought a harsh realization of her vulnerability and the "scowling truth of terror." The reference to Cleopatra "scarcely escaping with a single ship" contrasts her diminished state with the grandeur of her past. The metaphor of "the sparrowhawk falls on the soft-textured dove" evokes the inevitable predation of the powerful over the weak, symbolizing Cleopatra's helplessness before the might of Rome.

Lowell emphasizes Cleopatra's choice in the face of defeat: "You found a more magnanimous way to die." This refers to Cleopatra's decision to end her life rather than be paraded in Octavian's triumph, where she would have been humiliated as a captive. The line "not walking on foot in triumphant Caesar's triumph" underscores her refusal to be displayed as a trophy in the Roman victory procession. By choosing death, she retains a sense of agency and dignity, avoiding the fate of being "no queen now, but a private woman much humbled."

In this portrayal, Lowell contrasts the public spectacle of Roman victory with the private, dignified end chosen by Cleopatra. The poem reflects on the themes of power, dignity, and the personal choice of death over public humiliation. Cleopatra's decision to die on her own terms is framed as a final assertion of control, a refusal to submit entirely to the victor's narrative.

"Nunc Est Bibendum, Cleopatra's Death" is a meditation on the fall from power and the human desire for dignity in the face of inevitable defeat. Through historical reference and vivid imagery, Robert Lowell captures the complex emotions surrounding Cleopatra's last moments, highlighting her strength in choosing a noble death over a life of degradation. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of power and the enduring human quest for self-respect.

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