Cleopatra’s Motivation and Power in H. Rider Haggard’s Cleopatra

Jelita Raihanna, Purwanto Siwi, Asriani Asriani


Abstract


This article examines the motivations that drive Cleopatra to fight against her brother, Ptolemy, in H. Rider Haggard’s Cleopatra (1889). The study develops a qualitative literary analysis of the novel through close attention to dialogue, character action, political decisions, and recurring patterns of conflict. The analysis distinguishes between intrinsic motivation and power motivation and then examines how these dimensions intersect rather than operate independently. The findings identify two major intrinsic motives—desire for Egyptian independence and concern for legacy and dynastic continuity—and five major power motives: political ambition, personal rivalry, strategic calculation, manipulation and control, and personal survival. Empirical textual evidence shows that these motives are repeatedly converted into concrete political practices, including mobilizing Egyptians, preparing military forces, seeking alliances, approaching Julius Caesar, challenging Ptolemy’s legitimacy, manipulating factions, and protecting Cleopatra’s political position. The discussion demonstrates that national sovereignty and personal ambition are not mutually exclusive within the novel: Cleopatra presents the consolidation of her authority as a means of securing Egypt’s future, while her pursuit of sovereignty simultaneously strengthens her personal power. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is employed cautiously as an interpretive framework. Recent empirical research challenges the assumption that human needs are universally satisfied in a fixed sequence, supporting a more integrated interpretation of Cleopatra’s simultaneous pursuit of security, belonging, esteem, agency, and self-realization.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30743/jol.v8i2.14426

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