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Overview
Synopsis
One of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, Antony and Cleopatra, tells the tale of Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, and Cleopatra, the infamous Queen of Egypt. After living the life of luxury in Egypt, Antony is compelled to return to Rome when the empire is threatened by the rebellion of Sextus Pompey. However, he soon butts heads with Octavius Caesar, who objects to his ally’s selfish, imperious attitude. Antony marries Caesar’s sister, Octavia, in an effort to heal the rift between them and the men make peace with Pompey.
When Cleopatra hears about Antony’s marriage to Octavia, she flies into a jealous rage even though she knows that Antony does not love Octavia. Antony goes to Athens but he is angered when war breaks out between Caesar and Pompey and sends his new wife back to her brother in Rome while Antony goes to Egypt. Incensed with Caesar’s behavior, Caesar declares war on both Antony and Cleopatra. The two leaders go into battle, with their lives and their honor at stake. Despite his reputation as world’s greatest soldier, Antony chooses to fight on sea--a decision that proves to be his undoing. Cleopatra’s navy turns and flees in battle and Antony is defeated.
Wrong-footed and fearful of Antony’s reaction, Cleopatra hides in her her monument and sends a message to Antony that she is dead. Antony decides to commit suicide but he botches his attempt and faces a slow death. His followers take him to Cleopatra’s tomb, where he dies in her arms. Cleopatra realizes that, despite Caesar’s assurances, she is destined to become a celebrated slave of the Roman Empire unless she takes matters into her own hands. Her Clown delivers deadly asps to the Queen and she incites them to bite her. Caesar finds her body and orders that Antony and Cleopatra be buried together.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1606
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Egypt, Rome, 1st Century BC
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
The exact premier date of Antony and Cleopatra is unknown but it took place before the play was entered into the Stationers' Register on 20 May 1608. The text of Antony and Cleopatra was not printed until the Folio edition of Shakespeare's plays was published in 1623. Shakespeare took inspiration from Plutarch's newly translated Life of Mark Antony and gave it form and focus in his play by concentrating on Antony's relationship with Cleopatra from the time of the Sicilian revolt to
to read the context for Antony and Cleopatra and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act I
In the Egyptian palace at Alexandria, two Roman soldiers, Demetrius and Philo, discuss Mark Antony’s besotted infatuation for Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of the couple and their entourage. Cleopatra and Antony are in the throes of their passionate love affair and Cleopatra implores her lover to remind her how much he loves her. However, they are then interrupted by a message from Rome. Cleopatra taunts Antony that maybe his
to read the plot for Antony and Cleopatra and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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Quizzes
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher