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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

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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Mark Antony

Lead

Male

Spoken

Cleopatra

Lead

Female

Spoken

Octavius Caesar

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Enobarbus

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sextus Pompeius

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Octavia

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Charmian

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Dolabella

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Ventidius

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Scarus

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Iras

Featured

Female

Spoken

Soothsayer

Featured

Male

Spoken

Agrippa

Featured

Male

Spoken

Camidius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Proculeius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Diomedes

Featured

Male

Spoken

Eros

Featured

Male

Spoken

Menas

Featured

Male

Spoken

Seleucus

Featured

Male

Spoken

Clown

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

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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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher