Anthony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

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A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Nonetheless, the lovers find such sensual and emotional satisfaction that Caesar’s world conquest seems smaller than what they find in each other. Antony decides to return to Rome after learning that his wife and brother have unsuccessfully raised a rebellion against Caesar, resulting in his wife’s death. The play does not sugarcoat Antony and Cleopatra’s famous love affair, including her calculated attempts to seduce Antony from his duties and his rage when he thinks she has betrayed him to Caesar. Antony and Cleopatra discuss Antony’s responsibilities in Rome, which Antony no longer cares about because of his love for Cleopatra. The play’s emphasis, however, is on those whom Caesar defeats: Antony and his wealthy Egyptian ally, Queen Cleopatra. He brings charges against Lepidus, denies Antony his spoils from Pompey’s defeat, and seizes cities in the eastern Roman colonies that Antony rules. Once Caesar defeats Pompey, however, he needs no allies. Caesar needs Antony to fend off other Roman strongmen like Pompey he even offers his sister Octavia to him as a bride, despite Antony’s reputation as a libertine and his past rivalry with Caesar. The future first emperor, Octavius Caesar (later called Augustus Caesar), cold-bloodedly manipulates other characters and exercises iron control over himself.Īt first, he shares power with Mark Antony, Rome’s preeminent military leader, and the weaker Lepidus. The authoritative edition of Antony and Cleopatra from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Īntony and Cleopatra dramatizes a major event in world history: the founding of the Roman Empire.

Anthony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare