Antony and Cleopatra Companion
(William Shakespeare’s)

Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra revolves around the declining fortunes of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and Mark Antony, originally one of the more powerful of the three rulers who formed the Second Triumvirate, which lasted roughly from the end of the Roman Republic in 43 B.C. to a few years before the founding of the Roman Empire by Octavius Caesar in 27 B.C. Antony, who was known for his dignity, magnanimity, honor, strength, and military skill, has come under the spell of the manipulative and unpredictable but also passionate and bewitching Cleopatra VII, last of the Ptolemaic line of Egyptian royalty. Both Antony and Cleopatra are large, magnetic personalities, and the extravagance of their lifestyle is juxtaposed against Caesar’s discipline and rationality. In the end, despite their immense vitality (or perhaps because of it), Antony and Cleopatra’s passion becomes their undoing, and the cooler, more controlled powers of reason and disciplined ambition prevail.

The Story

The story takes place in various ancient Mediterranean countries, with most of the action concentrated in Rome and Alexandria. It begins in Alexandria at Cleopatra’s palace, where Antony, who has been leading an extravagant, irresponsible lifestyle with his lover, Cleopatra, discovers via messenger that his brother and his wife Fulvia tried to wage war against Octavius Caesar. Moreover, his enemy, Labienus, is triumphing in the Middle East, and to make matters worse, Fulvia has died. Furthermore, Pompey’s naval forces have grown strong and are threatening the coast of Italy, and Pompey is capitalizing on the Roman people’s discontent with the current government. The news awakens Antony, who feels ashamed of his behavior and resolves to go to Rome at once. As his close friend, supporter, and soldier Enobarbus informs the officers of their upcoming voyage, Antony, after much resistance, manages to obtain Cleopatra’s blessing for their departure.

Back in Rome, we meet Caesar and Lepidus, the other two triumvirs , who are discussing the problematic nature of Antony’s recent behavior, his past greatness, and the increasing danger of Pompey’s powerful fleet. Meanwhile, in Sicily, Pompey and his pirate allies, Menas and Menecrates, are discussing the same issues from their own angle. In Alexandria, Cleopatra is busying herself with writing daily letters to Antony.

Antony finally arrives in Rome, where he meets with Lepidus and Caesar to discuss his differences with the latter. In an attempt to reconcile them and seal their alliance, Caesar’s friend, general, and supporter, Agrippa, suggests marrying Antony to Octavia, Caesar’s beloved sister. They agree and, having settled the issue, turn to the matter of Pompey’s increasing threat, though without reaching any conclusions.

In an important minor scene, Antony informs Octavia that he needs to leave for Parthia in the Middle East. As he is preparing to go with his general, Ventidius, he is warned by a soothsayer to stay away from Caesar, who is predicted as triumphing over Antony in every situation. Antony, though he knows the soothsayer is right, chooses not to listen.

Back in Alexandria, Cleopatra is furious over the news of Antony’s marriage to Octavia. Meanwhile, in Italy, the triumvirs have met with Pompey at Misenum, near Naples, where they have signed a truce. In honor of their alliance, Pompey suggests that they feast each other, and Act II ends with a drinking and feasting celebration held on board his ship.

The opening of Act III shows Ventidius on the battlefield in Syria, having just won a significant battle. He is cautious, however, not to do too much in Antony’s absence for fear of offending his superior. The scene ends as he marches his troops to meet Antony in Greece.

Antony, for his part, is preparing to leave for Greece with Octavia. He and Octavia bid Caesar farewell and assure him of Octavia’s well-being. Back in Alexandria, Cleopatra has received word about Octavia’s various physical and personal characteristics from the same messenger who (at his peril) informed her of the marriage.

Next, Antony, now in Athens with Octavia, has heard that Caesar has both spoken ill of him and broken his truce with Pompey. Eager to patch things up, Octavia offers to return to Rome to help reconcile the relationship between Antony and Caesar. Antony is less optimistic: he urges her to determine the cause of the problems and to express her disapproval at it, but he also encourages her to side with whomever is most willing to nurture her love. In the following scene, news has reached Athens that both Lepidus and Caesar have made war against Pompey and killed him and that Caesar afterwards deposed Lepidus, stripped him of his rights, and threw him in jail. Antony, who has already heard the news, is furious at both Lepidus’ foolishness and the murder of Pompey.

With Octavia on her way to Rome, Antony returns to Alexandria, where he and Cleopatra are publicly crowned as Egypt’s rulers. In Rome, news of his exploits has already reached and infuriated Caesar, and Antony has moreover submitted a list of accusations concerning Caesar’s unjust treatment of Lepidus, his spoiling of Pompey, and the fact that he has retained Antony’s ships and neglected to give him his share of Sicily, which Caesar and Lepidus won from Pompey. At this point, Octavia arrives with the intention of encouraging Caesar to make peace with Antony. Caesar informs her that she is misguided—Antony is no longer in Athens but has returned to Egypt to be with Cleopatra.

From Rome, the action moves to Actium in Greece, site of the fateful battle where Caesar defeated Antony and Cleopatra. Antony’s close friend and supporter, the soldier Enobarbus, tries to dissuade Cleopatra from taking part in the battle, since her presence will distract Antony; but his efforts fail. She feels that her material support has given her the right to be there and that she will equal the part of any man. Meanwhile, all of Antony’s officers are attempting to convince him to do battle by land instead of sea, since his land forces and expertise are much stronger. He is adamant, though, his foolish reason being that Caesar has dared him to do it. The fact that Caesar has refused Antony’s dares seems to be irrelevant. The sad outcome of all this was that Cleopatra’s flagship, followed by her sixty ships, fled at the height of the battle when the two sides were close to equal, with their own side possibly having the advantage. To make matters worse, Antony followed, in spite of his military experience and ability. It was at this point that many of his followers began to seriously doubt his sanity and competency, since his actions clearly showed that he was entirely under Cleopatra’s spell. According to his lieutenant, Canidius, six of Antony’s allies, all kings, have deserted him, the troops have fled, and Canidius has implied that he is next.

The events at Actium were both a military and a personal turning point for Antony, who was unable to reconcile the shame of his recent military actions with the man he once was. It is at this time that he begins to have thoughts of death because he feels defeated as a human being and a man of achievement. With Caesar now having the upper hand, Antony and Cleopatra send a messenger to him with their requests, but Antony’s request to live either in Egypt or as a private citizen in Athens is denied, and Cleopatra will be indulged only if she either banishes or kills her lover. Angered by Caesar’s response, Antony decides to challenge him to single combat, which prompts Enobarbus to secretly wonder whether Antony has lost his mind.

As Antony leaves to prepare the letter, an envoy from Caesar named Thidias arrives to try to influence Cleopatra on Caesar’s behalf. When Antony returns, he catches the messenger kissing Cleopatra’s hand, and furious at both him and Cleopatra, he has Thidias whipped and sent back to Caesar. Once Thidias is gone, Antony accuses Cleopatra of unfaithfulness and doubts whether she has ever been trustworthy. She finally convinces him of her fidelity, and satisfied, he turns to the subject of war. He has decided to wage another battle against Caesar. With his courage renewed, he begins to feel better and vows to defy death and seal their place in history. Recognizing in him the valiant lover she knew before, Cleopatra encourages him. They decide to celebrate that night, and Cleopatra mentions that it is her birthday, giving them added incentive to make it a night of extravagant feasting. Enobarbus, who has heard the conversation, has renewed doubts about Antony’s wisdom and sanity; and though he has remained loyal longer than many others, he now begins to plan his desertion.

Predictably, Caesar refuses the challenge to single combat, which leaves the option of full-fledged battle. That night, Antony seems sorrowful, though he intends to fight to win. The servants and Cleopatra are mystified by his mood and speech, and even Enobarbus is almost moved to tears. Antony insists that his mournful speeches were intended to comfort, and he invites them to drink and feast.

The scene switches to the night watch as the sentinels take their posts. When they hear mysterious music coming from below ground, one soldier concludes that Hercules, Antony’s guardian spirit, is leaving him.

The next day, Antony dons his armor to go to battle and sets off in high spirits. On his way, he meets a soldier who informs him that Enobarbus has deserted him for Caesar’s side. Shocked at first, Antony is dismayed that his foolishness has led even good men to desert him, and he gives orders to have Enobarbus’ goods and valuables sent to him with a letter wishing him well and hoping that he should never again have to make such a choice.

Meanwhile, at Caesar’s camp, we discover that Alexas, one of Cleopatra’s attendants, has betrayed Antony by going to Judea to convince Herod to join Caesar, for which Caesar (ironically) had him hanged. Enobarbus, now at Caesar’s camp, is already suffering remorse for his desertion when the news arrives of Antony’s letter and the shipment of valuables and goods. His regret now compounded, Enobarbus realizes with sorrow that he has betrayed a good and great man. Finding himself incapable of facing Antony in battle, he seeks out a ditch to die in.

Later that day on the field, Antony’s side has waged a fiercer battle than expected, leading Caesar’s friend and general, Agrippa, to sound the retreat. Antony’s remaining soldiers have fought with all their might, and the day’s victory has done wonders for their morale. Antony himself is reassured to see signs of his former brave and competent self, and his confidence in himself and the war against Caesar has skyrocketed.

That night, a company of guards witnesses Enobarbus as he mournfully prays to the moon for forgiveness from Antony, though he firmly believes that he should go down in history’s public records as a prime deserter. Following his prayer, he lies down and dies. The sentinels, who are unsure as to whether he is dead or asleep, carry him to the court of guard (the guards’ meeting place).

In a field near Alexandria, Antony and his troops are trying to determine Caesar’s next move, which Antony is convinced will be by sea, despite his soldier Scarus’ assertion that they are preparing for both land and sea. Meanwhile, in another area, Caesar has also been watching and is aware of Antony’s movements, so he has ordered his men to remain positioned on land—the opposite of what Antony expects. The scene shifts back to Antony, who moves to a higher position to get a better look. Hearing an alarm in the distance, he sees his naval fleet celebrating with Caesar’s and concludes that they have surrendered and that Cleopatra has betrayed him to Caesar. When she arrives on the scene, he shouts at her, threatening her in his rage. Confused and not knowing what to do, she leaves, while Antony, convinced of her guilt, vows to kill her.

In dismay, Cleopatra consults her ladies, who counsel her to go to her tomb and send Antony word that she is dead. She agrees enthusiastically, and they set off for the monument. Antony and Eros, Antony’s attendant, return to the palace, where they receive word through the eunuch Mardian that Cleopatra loved Antony that she was faithful, and that she is now dead. For Antony, this signifies the end, and he instructs Eros to draw his sword and kill him as he is sworn to do. Eros, being young and tender, cannot bring himself to do it, so he kills himself instead. Awed by his nobility and bravery, Antony falls on his own sword. However, the wound is not enough to kill him immediately, so he asks his guards who have since entered to finish him off, but they all refuse. Word arrives that Cleopatra is not dead after all, but it has come too late, and Antony’s guards carry him to Cleopatra to die in her arms.

When Cleopatra sees that Antony is dying, she no longer has any desire to live. This is intensified by Caesar’s plan to use her as a trophy in his victory parade, an idea that Cleopatra cannot endure. Caesar sends envoys to Cleopatra to attempt to influence her, but without success. By the final time he and his guards arrive at her tomb, she and her women are dead, killed by poisonous snakes that Cleopatra had ordered to be smuggled into the tomb in a basket of figs. The play ends as Caesar, now sad and philosophical at the news of both their deaths, arranges for the funeral and acknowledges that there will never again be a couple as famous as Antony and Cleopatra.