Antony and Cleopatra Summary | Play by William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12

Neb English Support Class 12

Antony and Cleopatra Summary | Play by William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare 

SHORT STORYLINE

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare 

Mark Antony is in love with Cleopatra but marries Caesar's sister so that they can be friends, but later leaves and goes back to Cleopatra again. Caesar gets furious, and everyone dies at last.

SHORT SUMMARY

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare 

Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of Rome, is in love with the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. Antony is summoned back to Rome, where he clashes with Octavius, another ruler, before returning to Cleopatra in Egypt. Now in battle with Octavius, Antony and Cleopatra suffer losses and miscommunication, and both commit suicide at last.

DETAILED SUMMARY

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare 

Act I

After Julius Caesar's death, the Roman Empire was ruled by three men: Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus.

Mark Antony commands the eastern Mediterranean and is based in Egypt. He has even been infatuated with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. After the death of his wife, Fulvia, and Pompey's rebellion against his fellow ruler, Octavius, Antony is forced to move to Rome. He travels along with his friend Enobarbus.

Act II

In Rome, Antony and Octavius Caesar debate the former's exodus to Egypt. They eventually decide that their friendship should be cemented by a political marriage between Antony and Caesar's sister, Octavia. Annobarbus refuses to believe that Antony will give up Cleopatra and tells his Roman friends related to the Egyptian court. The rulers, including Lepidus, are on the way to making peace with the rebel Pompey, who entertains them on his ship in port. During the feast, Pompey refuses to allow his men to assassinate the triumphant (Lepidus).

Act III

Cleopatra gets the news of Antony's marriage. After a fit of rage and jealousy, he learns that Octavia presents no real romantic challenge. When Antony and Octavia both reach Athens, they come to know that Caesar has revoked his peace treaty and attacked Pompey. He also betrays the triumvirate agreement by imprisoning Lepidus. Antony sends Octavia back to Rome to try to reestablish peace.

Antony himself goes to Egypt to raise an army with Cleopatra. Disgusted by Antony's abandonment of Octavia, Caesar declares war on Antony and Cleopatra.  Despite the advice of Enobarbus, Antony decides to fight at sea at Actium. In the battle, Cleopatra's ships run afoul of the Roman fleet, and Antony is defeated.

Act IV

Humiliated by his love for Cleopatra, Antony ultimately chooses to fight Caesar on land.  After several degrees of Antony's supposed inevitable defeat, his army starts to lose faith in their leader. Ennobarbus releases Antony and defects to Caesar's army, leaving Antony saddened, not angry. Enobarbus is overcome with guilt for Antony's betrayal and dies lonely in his grief.

In the fighting, Cleopatra's men flee, abandoning Antony. Afraid of Antony's aggression, Cleopatra takes refuge in her monument. When Antony fears that Cleopatra has cheated him with Caesar, she sends a false message that she is dead, in the hope of winning his affection once more. Antony is devastated after hearing the news and resolves to die himself. He falls on his sword and is mortally wounded. At this point, messengers from Cleopatra visit to inform him that the queen is still alive and find him dying alone. Anthony is carried to the monument by Cleopatra and the ladies waiting for him, and he dies in Cleopatra's arms.

Act V

Cleopatra cannot tolerate the thought of being a prisoner of the Romans. When Caesar becomes convinced that she is now his prisoner, he asks a countryman to bring her venomous snakes in a basket. Her waiting ladies dress her in robes of state before she impales an asp to her breast with her ladies and dies. Upon discovering the bodies, Caesar orders Antony and Cleopatra to be buried together. Now unhindered in his pursuit of Egypt and lacking political enemies at ease, Caesar returns to Rome and becomes the emperor.

CLICK HERE 👇 TO READ 

CORIOLANUS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SUMMARY

Thanks for Visiting my Website: Suraj Bhatt