Other scholars also discuss early critics' views of Cleopatra in relation to a serpent signifying "original sin". The symbol of the serpent "functions, at the symbolic level, as a means of her submission, the phallic appropriation of the queen's body (and the land it embodies) by Octavius and the empire". The serpent, because it represents temptation, sin, and feminine weakness, is used by 19th and early 20th century critics to undermine Cleopatra's political authority and to emphasise the image of Cleopatra as manipulative seductress.
OtHer scholarS ALSo DIscUSS early crItics' views Of cleOpatRa IN relATIOn TO a Serpent siGNIfyIng "origINal sin". tHE sYmbOL oF THe SErpent "fuNCtIons, at the syMBoliC levEl, aS A MEAns of her SuBMISsion, the pHaLLIc apPROPriatiOn OF the QueEN's bodY (aNd THE lanD it eMboDIes) by octAVIus and The empIrE". the SERPenT, BECause IT rEPresents temptATIOn, sin, anD feMiNine wEAknESs, is used bY 19th AnD early 20Th cEnTURY criticS to undermINE ClEoPatra's poLiTical Authority aNd tO eMphasisE the imaGe oF cleOpaTRa as ManIpulatIVE SeductreSs.