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Antony and Cleopatra (Pelican Shakespeare Edition)
by William Shakespeare
Antony and Cleopatra is a romance at its core. A tale of star-crossed lovers by William Shakespeare, this play actually does have a historic basis. Mainly based off of a translation of records kept by Plutarch, this play charts the epic love between Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman general and leader Mark Antony. The action of the play mainly moves between Alexandria and Rome. Though it would have been performed on a rather simple stage, what is interesting is how grand of a scale the locations are. In the first act, two soldiers speak disdainfully for their leader's love for the "gypsy" Cleopatra. Soon the love between the two is quite evident as they tease each other:
"If it be love indeed, tell me how much."
"There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned."
As they enjoy themselves in the relaxed, beautiful and luxurious Egypt, Mark Antony's fellow triumvirs, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, are dealing with the military problems of the Roman Empire. Rome, as opposed to Egypt, is characterized as a fast-paced, serious and volatile locale. Even when Antony must go to Rome, his heart is in Egypt with his Cleopatra. The second story in this play is a rivalry between Octavius Caesar and Antony that grows into a very personal battle. The rulers of each nation can be very logical and well meaning, yet can also be hypocritical, selfish and too sensitive. While mainly a love story, Shakespeare's play also touches on the politics of power and the very human desire for power. The play also addresses the idea of "young" love between two middle aged adults.
The Pelican edition of this play is very helpful, as most pages provide glossaries with useful definitions and explanations of references within the play. A sweeping epic, the play Antony and Cleopatra is engaging, is steeped in history, and is a story of power, politics, lust and love.
Title: Antony and Cleopatra (Pelican Shakespeare Edition)
Author: William Shakespeare
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140714529
Review written by: Susie Kopecky
Reviewer's Rating:8
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
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