Play Tragedy

Antony and
Cleopatra
Author Years Written Original Language
William Shakespeare 1606–07 English

OVERVIEW

Love & Death in Set during one of history’s greatest empires, Antony and Cleopatra follows
the love affair between a famed Roman politician and an Egyptian queen.
Ancient Egypt Their tragic story pits East against West and indulgence against duty—all
amid treachery and war.

Arranged Marriage Discontent A Big Mistake

To strengthen his alliance with Antony marries Octavia but Cleopatra sends Egyptian
Antony, Caesar arranges a tires of her and returns to his ships into battle, leading to
marriage for him. lover, Cleopatra. a disastrous loss.

Author Themes

Honor

The answer to what constitutes

honorable behavior is different for each
of the play’s major characters, leading
to conflict, betrayal, and tragedy.

Women with Power

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
1564–1616 Cleopatra’s political shrewdness
threatens her male opponents, while
Playgoers in Elizabethan
Octavia’s defenselessness leads her
England already knew
brother to marry her off for political gain.
the story of Antony and
Cleopatra. Their familiarity
enabled Shakespeare to
focus on characters’
Rome vs. Egypt
emotions rather than on
Roman history, and their Stern, warlike Rome—personified by
interest in the play was Caesar—despises relaxed, luxury-loving
heightened because their Egypt, personified by Cleopatra; Antony
country, like Egypt, was feels trapped between the two.
ruled by a woman—the
majestic Elizabeth I.

Symbols

Swords Snakes Clouds

Represent martial power Stand for treachery and Changeable and

and male pride death with their slyness impermanent, symbolize
and venom Antony’s lost identity

ge cannot wither her, nor custom stale

Her infinite variety. Other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies.
Enobarbus, Act II, Scene II

Sources: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff,

Encyclopaedia Britannica, History.com

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