Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra is an historical play by William Shakespeare, first performed in 1607 or 1608 and first printed in 1623. The probable source for the story is Plutarch's "Life of Marcus Antonius".

The five acts follow Cleopatra's and Mark Antony's domestic affairs in Egypt and political maneuverings against Rome. Cleopatra commits suicide in the final act by clasping an asp to her breast so she cannot be exhibited in Rome as a chained captive.

Movie Versions

• Antony & Cleopatra 1974, performed by London's Royal Shakespeare Company. It stars Janet Suzman (Cleopatra), Richard Johnson (Antony), and Patrick Stewart (Enobarbus).

External Links

• Antony and Cleopatra (http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/Antony_and_Cleopatra/index.html) - searchable, indexed e-text
• Full text of play (http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/cleopatra/full.html)