Antony and Cleopatra
Assigned by 2 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- c. 1606-1607
- Form
- Tragedy
- Language
- English
- Length
- Medium · 330 pp120 to 300 pages
- Difficulty
- Difficult4 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendAntony and CleopatraFolger Shakespeare Library (Simon and Schuster), 2005The rapid scene changes between Rome and Egypt are easier to follow with the Folger's clear staging notes.
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Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of Rome after Caesar's death, has abandoned his duties for Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Called back to Rome, he marries Octavius Caesar's sister to patch up the alliance, then returns to Cleopatra and provokes open war. He loses the sea battle at Actium when Cleopatra's ships flee, is deserted by his men, and falls on his sword after a false report of her death. Cleopatra, refusing to be led in Octavius's triumph, kills herself with an asp.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Antony and Cleopatra are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
