William Shakespeare'S Antony And Cleopatra

About the Book

Antony and Cleopatra is a well-known tragedy by William Shakespeare. Its first known appearance in print came in the First Folio of 1623. The plot is based on Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Lives, and follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, from the time of the Sicilian revolt, to Cleopatra's suicide during the Final War of the Roman Republic. Octavius Caesar is the major antagonist. He was Antony's fellow triumviri of the Second Triumvirate and the first emperor of the Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar. The play is set in Rome and Egypt, and is marked by swift, panoramic shifts in geographical locations.

The book presents a critical analysis of the play providing the story and the genre, and scene-wise analysis in exclusive chapters. The major themes of the play, including the relation between Antony and Cleopatra, betrayal, and power dynamics have been discussed with references from the text. There are apt descriptions about the major characters like Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Cleopatra. Also included is an analysis of minor characters like Domestius Enobarbus, Eros, and Philo, and their respective roles in the play. An exclusive chapter has been devoted to plot structure describing the classical rules of unity of time, action and place, as well as some Elizabethan features peculiar to the play. Imagery, which is an important part of poetry has been liberally used by Shakespeare in his plays. This has also been studied using references from the text. An analysis of Shakespeare's diction and versification has also been provided.

As a critical study, the book is comprehensive and self-sufficient. It combines lucidity and profundity in the treatment of the text. It will be useful for the students and teachers of English literature, particularly Shakespeare and his plays, and researchers in these fields.