Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s finest creation which has till date created a lasting impression in the hearts of many readers is Antony and Cleopatra. It is one of the best known tragedies and the legendary play.

Antony and Cleopatra is a novel which depicts the eternal love of two people from Rome. It is believed to be written by William Shakespeare between 1603 -1607 and was based on Thomas North’s translation of Plutarch’s “Life of Marcus Antonius”.

Various plays are enacted on this and the first printer edition was released in 1623. The play enacted would take you back to a Roman era, featuring Cleopatra, as the Egyptian Queen and Antony, as the Roman general.

Main characters in the famous love story of Antony and Cleopatra -

- Mark Antony, Roman general and one of the three men (triumvirs) who rule Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.
- Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt
- Octavian, one of the three men (triumvirs) who rule Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar.
- Marcus Aemilius Lepidus - one of the three men (triumvirs) who rule Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar.
- Sextus Pompey - Son of the late Pompey the Great.
- Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, Follower of Antony
- Octavia the Younger, Octavian's sister.
- Ventidius, Eros, Scarus, Dercetas, Demetrius, Philo: Friends of Antony.
- Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Military commander and advisor of Octavian.
- Publius Cornelius Dolabella, Friend and attendant of Octavian.
- Mecaenas, Thyreus, Gallus, Proculeius, Friends of Octavian.
- Menecrates, Menas, Varrius, Friends of Sextus Pompey.
- Taurus, Lieutenant-general of Caesar.
- Canidius, Lieutenant-general of Antony.
- Silius, Officer in Ventidius's army.
- Euphronius, Ambassador from Antony to Caesar.
- Alexas, Mardian the Eunuch, Seleucus, Diomedes, Cleopatra's attendants.
- Charmian, Iras, Maids of honor attending Cleopatra.
- Soothsayer, Clown
- Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants

Synopsis of novel Antony and Cleopatra

Cleopatra and Antony are the two main characters in the novel. Mark Antony rules the eastern Roman Empire and has romantic affair with the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. After the death of his wife and the war threat by Pompey, Antony moves back to Rome.

Octavian feels that affair between Antony and Cleopatra has left Rome vulnerable. Antony agrees to marry Octavia, sister of Octavius to solve the problem but, it goes in vain.

The story of Antony and Cleopatra takes a twist with the huge war between armies of both the rulers. Octavius is furious with Antony’s injustice to his sister. The battle brings the end of the love affair. Cleopatra sways Antony’s mind to accept a sea war with Caesar (Octavius) which ends his life.

Death of Antony and Cleopatra is very tragic. While Antony looses his life in war, Cleopatra kills herself by eating an asp hidden in a fruit basket. Ultimately, Caesar edicts that Antony and Cleopatra should be buried together as, attribute to their act of kindness and unforgettable love.

Written by William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra is one of the best known tragedies by the author. Hope you enjoy reading the original novel and also watching the play.