Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. It is one of his last plays and is considered one of his greatest works. The play follows the story of Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, and his love affair with the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra. Antony is torn between his love for Cleopatra and his duty to Rome. He is also in competition with Octavius Caesar, the other ruler of Rome, for power and control of the Roman Empire. The play follows Antony and Cleopatra's tumultuous relationship as they battle for power and control. Antony and Cleopatra's love affair is threatened by the political machinations of Octavius Caesar and his allies. In the end, Antony and Cleopatra's love is not enough to save them from the forces of Rome. Antony and Cleopatra both die in the final act of the play, leaving Octavius Caesar as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.
By William Shakespeare · First published 1607 · Genre: Tragedy, Romance, Historical Fiction · 42 chapters · 31,664 words
First lines
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with his army. Caesar reading a letter.
CAESAR. He calls me boy, and chides as he had power To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger He hath whipped with rods; dares me to personal combat, Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.
What this Textopian page supports
Antony and Cleopatra is listed on Textopian as a play by William Shakespeare, dated 1607 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Date: 1607 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 31,664 words
- Structure: 42 chapters, 1,470 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Antony and Cleopatra?
- How does this play by William Shakespeare fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Tragedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Caesar And Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw
- The Tragedy Of Mcbeth by William Shakespeare
- The Duchess Of Malfi by John Webster
- King Lear by William Shakespeare
- Henry Iv Part 1 by William Shakespeare
- The Tragedy Of Othello by William Shakespeare
Genres
- Tragedy — The play follows the downfall of the two protagonists, Antony and Cleopatra, and their eventual deaths, making it a tragedy.
- Romance — The play focuses on the passionate love between Antony and Cleopatra, making it a romance.
- Historical Fiction — The play is based on real historical events, making it a historical fiction.
- Drama — The play is full of dramatic moments and intense dialogue, making it a drama.
Tags
-30 B.C · 332-30 B.C · 43-31 B.C · 83 B.C.?-30 B.C · Antonius · Civil War · Cleopatra · Drama · Egypt · Generals · History · Marcus
Contents
- Caesar's Camp at Alexandria
- Alexandria. a Room in Cleopatra's Palace
- A Plain in Syria
- Caesar's Camp Before Alexandria
- Messina. a Room in Pompey's House
- Alexandria. a Room in the Monument
- Rome. a Room in the House of Lepidus
- Rome. an Ante-chamber in Caesar's House
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Alexandria. Another Room in Cleopatra's Palace
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Alexandria. Before the Palace
- Rome. a Room in Caesar's House
- Alexandria. a Room in Cleopatra's Palace
- Athens. a Room in Antony's House
- Rome. a Street
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Rome. an Apartment in Caesar's House
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Athens. Another Room in Antony's House
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Antony's Camp Near Alexandria
- Rome. a Room in Caesar's House
- Alexandria. Caesar's Camp
- Near Misenum
- On Board Pompey's Galley, Lying Near Misenum
- Field of Battle Between the Camps
- Antony's Camp Near the Promontory of Actium
- Under the Walls of Alexandria
- A Plain Near Actium
- Caesar's Camp
- Another Part of the Plain
- Ground Between the Two Camps
- Another Part of the Plain
- Another Part of the Ground
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Another Part of the Ground
- Caesar's Camp in Egypt
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Alexandria. a Room in the Palace
- Alexandria. Another Room
- Alexandria. a Monument