ASynopsisofWilliamShakespeares

AntonyandCleopatra

Mark Antony
,
Octavius Caesar
, and
Marcus
Lepidus are all members of a well-regarded
triumvirate
rulingtheRomanEmpire. However,
Antony prefers spending time in Egypt engaged
in an affair with
Queen Cleopatra (a woman
described as one who makes menhungrywhere
most [satisfy])toactuallyattendingtohisduties,
leading some members of his own army to
dismisshimasastrumpetsfool.

At the beginning of the play, he learns that his

wife has rebelled againstOctaviusanddied,and
that a revolt spearheaded by
Pompey
is imminent. Only then does he return toRome. Whilehere,
the triumvirate meets regarding how its three members can retain an alliance during the turbulent
times. In an attempt to prove his allegiance, Antony agrees to marry
Octavia
, widowed wife of
Julius Caesar and aunt/adopted stepmother of Octavius Caesar. When Cleopatra receives news of
themarriage,sheishighlyenraged.

Unfortunately, the marriagedoesnotdoenoughtostrengthenthebondsbetweenthemembersofthe

triumvirate because AntonycontinuestocavortwithCleopatra. WhenAntonyreturnstoEgyptnot
long after his marriage to Octavia, Octavius becomes angry. About the same time, Lepidus is
arrested for conspiracy, eliminating the mediating factor that had prevented outright war up until
that point. A soothsayer warns Antony that he is sure to lose if he ever tries to fight Octavius.
Nevertheless, Antony crowns himself Ruler ofEgyptandathirdoftheRomanEmpire,adeclaration
of war. Antony receives another warning: this time,thatasamatterofstrategy,heoughtnotfight
Octaviusonthesea. Againignoringallwarning,AntonyssoldiersandtheEgyptianfleetgotowar
with Octavius soldiers. Atwar,AntonyandCleopatramakeaseriesofstrategicblunders,whichdo
notshakethepairastheyshould,soblindedaretheybytheirmutualinfatuation.

While Antony finds some successfightingonland,theEgyptiansoldierstwice,ledbyCleopatra,are

defeated at sea. A frustrated Antony accuses Cleopatra ofbetrayalviamessenger. Inresponse,and
in an attempt to make him regret his accusations and return from war to mourn her dead body,
Cleopatra sends him word that she has died. Antony does not, however, react as Cleopatra had
hoped. He tries to kill himself when he hears the false news, but only succeeds in imparting severe
self-injury. He, not long thereafter, hearsthatCleopatraisstillalive. HeisbroughttoCleopatraand
diesinherarms.

When OctaviuslearnsofAntonysdeath,hesendssomeonetobringCleopatratoRomeasaglorified
prisoner--something he feels he has nochoicebuttodo. Cleopatraistooproudtoresignherselftothis
fate. During a meeting with Octavius, she pretends to submit, but before she can be transported to
Rome, commits suicide by poisoning herself with the bite of asnake(asp). Octaviusweepsoverthe
loss of his friend Antony, and orders the two be buried together, despite his disapproval of their
union.