Preview of “antony and Cleopatra”

Preview of “Antony and Cleopatra”

Principal Characters:

Antony: Leader of Rome.

Fulvia: Antony’s first wife.

Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt.

Charmian: Cleopatra’s maid.

Demetrius: Roman General (follower of Antony).

Philo: Roman General (follower of Antony).

Caesar: Leader of Rome.

Pompey: Leader of Rome.

Lepidus: Leader of Rome.

Octavia: Caesar’s sister, later married to Antony.

Enobarbus: Follower of Antony.

Preview of “Antony and Cleopatra”

Mark Antony, a leader of Rome, was a man of great courage. He was considered the finest of all soldiers and had a strong sense of honor and reputation. But, his love affair with Cleopatra was going against his reputation. She was the Queen of Egypt and a lady with exceptional beauty and charm. Sex is the central theme of Cleopatra’s power over Antony, and is also a deep part of her own personality. Antony even mentions that he is very familiar with her lust. Thus, in the play, power is sexy and sex is powerful.

She loved Antony truly. Though the two truly loved each other, their love was not acceptable to most of the people, especially to the Romans.

     Antony and Cleopatra, both die at the end, making this play a tragedy in the true sense. Cleopatra would often ask him how deep his love was for her. Antony would reply that love that was measurable was poor love. He emphasized that his love was not restricted to any boundaries and was beyond heaven and earth.

     A messenger informed Antony about the worsening situation at Rome. His wife Fulvia and his brother had raised troops and had entered the battlefield against Caesar, who was an old time friend of his. Meanwhile, another messenger brought the message that Fulvia had been killed in the battle against Caesar. He was shocked to hear the news. Antony decided to go back to Rome and to his duties which he had so far neglected. Antony was worried for his kingdom. He said that his idleness and devotion to Cleopatra was responsible for all that had happened, he must break away from Cleopatra to return to Rome.

     Though Cleopatra never wished Antony to go back, she pretended to be on the weaker side and also added that Antony was not loyal to her and had betrayed her. She said that there was a time when Antony prayed to her and had all the time for her. He had never thought of leaving her and found eternal joy in her lips and eyes. She bid him farewell with a heavy heart. She wished him victory. Meanwhile, after Antony had left Egypt for Rome, she became weak and lifeless. Antony was always occupied in her thoughts. She thought of her past connection with Caesar and Pompey and said that time had made her more mature and a better person. She had now understood that her previous associations with Caesar and Pompey were mere infatuations and it was only Antony whom she truly loved.

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