Analysis: Antony is dead; the whole of Act Five is reserved for Cleopatra. The nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Hey, remember almost exactly three years ago when I summarized Julius Caesar? In order to protect herself, Cleopatra hides in her monument and sends word to him that she has committed suicide. 9782808013116 48 EBook Plurilingua Publishing This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. However, when a messenger delivers word that Octavia is plain and unimpressive, Cleopatra becomes confident that she will win Antony back. Ever quick to forgive, Antony resolves to kill himself to join her. Pompey agrees to keep peace in exchange for rule over Sicily and Sardinia. As the play ends, Cleopatra, thinking of joining Antony while also of defeating Caesar by robbing him of conquering her, kills herself with the help of poisonous snakes smuggled to her in a basket of figs. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Antony's men watch disapprovingly as, from their perspective, a mighty Roman general is reduced to a whore's fool. A soothsayer warns Antony that he must stay away from Caesar, for in any contest between them, Caesar will prevail. They discuss Lepidus, and joke about whether he loves Antony or Octavius more. You can test out of the Cleopatra, why did you want to kill yourself? She can be impetuous and capricious, jumping from one emotion to another (especially early in the play), and often manipulates Antony by calling his love into question or pretending to be dead, for example. Antony tells her to stop, calling her "the armourer of my heart. Summary: Scene Four. Her love for Antony becomes, ultimately, the most important thing in her life. By parading her … All rights reserved. Read the Study Guide for Antony and Cleopatra…, Infinite Virtue: A Close Reading of Antony and Cleopatra, IV.viii.12-18, Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature, View our essays for Antony and Cleopatra…, Read the E-Text for Antony and Cleopatra…, View Wikipedia Entries for Antony and Cleopatra…. His wife has died. That evening, the four men drink to … The love and deceit, jealously, rage, and the betrayal between them and family members, as well as the internal struggles that Antony experienced are prevalent throughout the tragedy. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Branded both a traitor and an outcast of the Roman Empire, Antony ultimately takes his own life. The alliance is a successful one and Pompey is defeated. But, unlike Antony, Cleopatra refuses to allow herself to be turned into an Egyptian puppet; in her case, for the entertainment of the Roman people. Plot Summary. If you found this work useful, show me here: https://www.patreon.com/aaronmsherman?fan_landing=true But Octavia pleads with Antony to maintain a peaceful relationship with her brother, and Antony decides to send her to Rome on a peace mission. Antony curses her for her alleged treachery, only to forgive her moments later. Antony's men watch disapprovingly as, from their perspective, a mighty Roman general is reduced to a whore's fool. Octavius and Lepidus, followed by their train, discuss Antony. Even Caesar is forced to admire her and all her machinations when he sees her dead body: '. Ignoring all advice to the contrary, Antony elects to fight him at sea, allowing Cleopatra to command a ship. Historically, the events of Antony and Cleopatra took place in the late first century BCE. Antony kisses Cleopatra before leaving, showing the extent to which he is motivated by his love for her. He gives her final advice about whom to trust in Caesar's camp, and dies. Parthia, an Eastern superpower and Rome's most powerful adversary, has overrun much of the Near and Middle East. Attended by Egyptian and Romans at Cleopatra's palace in Alexandria, Antony and Cleopatra are the celebrity couple of the known world. Antony frets in Athens: Octavius has moved, unapproved, against Pompey. Emissaries go to Cleopatra, but one of them, Dolabella, warns her that Caesar plans to parade her through Rome. But, when a messenger delivers word that Octavia is a plain and timid woman, Cleopatra feels confident that she will win Antony back. He orders his men to bury Antony and Cleopatra together. This creates another kind of internal conflict within Antony as he is both reluctant to leave Cleopatra and bound by his duty to Rome. Antony and Cleopatra Character Analysis | LitCharts. Patricia has an MFA in Writing, an arrangement which they both realize was a political match gives queen... They come, disgusted by this total lapse in duty, desert him flees battle... 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