Are you struggling to write your Antony and Cleopatra essays in Matric? Look no further than this comprehensive summary of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. This summary is tailored specifically for IEB matric students, providing a clear and concise overview of the play's plot, characters...
At the play’s opening, Antony, who had abandoned his wife Fulvia and his post in time of
war, is indulging in Alexandria’s lavish lifestyle and is fully infatuated by Cleopatra.
• A messenger from Rome arrives.
• Antony does not want to listen to the messenger, but Cleopatra urges him to.
• The messenger declares that:
o Fulvia ( Antony’s wife) and Lucius ( Antony’s brother) have waged a war
against Octavius Caesar and lost.
• A second messenger now arrives with more bad news:
o Fulvia has been killed.
• Antony declares he long desired Fulvia’s death, but now regrets it.
• Meanwhile, Philo and Demetrius, two Roman soldiers, express despair at Antony’s
ignorance of Rome.
• Elsewhere, a Soothsayer declares that Cleopatra’s maids will live a longer life,
forshadowing Cleopatra’s death.
• Amid a moment of clarity, Antony realizes that his infatuation with Cleopatra has
caused him to neglect his duties to Rome – and that he must leave Egypt for Rome.
• Cleopatra is upset with Antony for:
o The lack of remorse Antony appears to have regarding the death of his wife.
Cleopatra feels Antony would treat her death the same.
• Cleopatra throws a passionate tantrum when hearing of Antony’s plans to return to
Rome, and accuses Antony of not loving her enough.
• But, as the tides turn, Cleopatra asks for forgiveness for her outbreak, and wishes
Antony a swift victory.
• However, as Antony departs for Rome, Cleopatra knows he will return to her.
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