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Antony and Cleopatra
A romantic tragedy about the relationship between Mark Antony and the Queen of Egypt, including notes and critical commentary.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1606
About the author
William Shakespeare
21.2k books45k followersWilliam Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,252 reviews
March 26, 2020
This play is so good, it is not merely a masterpiece: it is a mystery. The two protagonists are alternately noble and petty, wise and foolish, and yet they never seem inconsistent or self-contradictory because Shakespeare--here is the mystery--consistently maintains a tone that is paradoxically both ironic and heroic. Part of it is the language, which shifts seamlessly from mellifluous monologues adorned with cosmic imagery (comparing Anthony and Cleopatra to continents, stars,etc.) to the most modern-sounding, most casual and wittiest dialogue of Shakespeare's career. Part of it is the larger-than-life characterization which transforms each vicious and pathetic absurdity into a privilege of the lovers' protean magnificence--as undeniable and unquestionable as the sovreign acts of Olympian gods. Whatever the reason, this play makes me laugh and cry and leaves me with a deep spiritual reverence for the possibilities of the human heart.
I wrote the paragraph above two and a half years ago, and it still reflects my opinion of the play. This time through, though, I was particularly struck by how much the voices of the military subordinates and servants--Enobarbus and Charmion, Ventidius and Alexis, and many others, including even unnamed messengers and soldiers--contribute to this double movement of the ironic and heroic, celebrating the leaders' mythic qualities but also commenting on their great flaws. Enobarbus--with his loyal (albeit amused) appreciation, his disillusioned betrayal, and his subsequent death from what can best be described as a broken heart--is central to this aspect of the play.
December 10, 2021
The Tragedie of Antony and Cleopatra = Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare
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.
The major antagonist is Octavius Caesar, one of Antony's fellow triumvirs of the Second Triumvirate and the first emperor of the Roman Empire. The tragedy is mainly set in Rome and Egypt and is characterized by swift shifts in geographical location and linguistic register as it alternates between sensual, imaginative Alexandria and a more pragmatic, austere Rome.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه جولای سال1984میلادی
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: علاالدین پازارگادی؛ نمایشنامه غم انگیز آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ تهران، بنگاه ترجمه، سال1334؛ چاپ دیگر سال1359؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، علمی فرهنگی، سال1379، در245ص؛ شابک9789644452581؛ چاپ هفتم سال1392؛ موضوع نمایشنامه های نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده16م
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: محمدعلی اسلامی ندوشن؛ تهران، یزدان، سال1363؛ در238ص؛
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: هادی عادلپور؛ تهران، سمیر، سال1392؛ در527ص؛ شابک9789642201068؛
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: فرینوش رمضانی؛ تهران، نشر مرکز، شال1393؛ در58ص؛ شابک9789642131655؛
نمایشنامه ای عاشقانه، و تراژیک، «آنتونیوس و کلئوپاترا»؛ اثر «ویلیام شکسپیر» است؛ این نمایشنامه، «آنتونی» سردار بزرگ «رومی» را، همچون عاشقی دلباخته تصویر میکند، که آنچنان در دام عشق «کلئوپاترا»، ملکه ی «مصر»، اسیر گشته، که «سلطنت»، و «لشکرکشی»، و مسئولیتهای دیگر خود را، در مقام سرداری «رمی»، به هیچ میشمارد؛ اگرچه نخست برای سازش با همکار خود «قیصر اکتاویوس»، به «روم» بازمیگردد، و با خواهر او ازدواج میکند، اما عشق «کلئوپاترا»، بار دیگر باعث میشود، که همه چیز را ترک کند، و دوباره به «مصر» بازگردد؛ رقابت سیاسی بین دو سردار «رومی»، منجر به جنگ میشود، و «آنتونی» شکست میخورد، و خودکشی میکند؛ «کلئوپاترا» نیز، پس از مرگ دلداده ی خود، برای اینکه او را، در رکاب «قیصر اکتاویوس»، به اسارت، به «روم» نبرند، دست به خودکشی میزند؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 18/09/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
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.
The major antagonist is Octavius Caesar, one of Antony's fellow triumvirs of the Second Triumvirate and the first emperor of the Roman Empire. The tragedy is mainly set in Rome and Egypt and is characterized by swift shifts in geographical location and linguistic register as it alternates between sensual, imaginative Alexandria and a more pragmatic, austere Rome.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه جولای سال1984میلادی
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: علاالدین پازارگادی؛ نمایشنامه غم انگیز آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ تهران، بنگاه ترجمه، سال1334؛ چاپ دیگر سال1359؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، علمی فرهنگی، سال1379، در245ص؛ شابک9789644452581؛ چاپ هفتم سال1392؛ موضوع نمایشنامه های نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده16م
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: محمدعلی اسلامی ندوشن؛ تهران، یزدان، سال1363؛ در238ص؛
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: هادی عادلپور؛ تهران، سمیر، سال1392؛ در527ص؛ شابک9789642201068؛
عنوان: آنتونی و کلئوپاترا؛ نویسنده: ویلیام شکسپیر؛ مترجم: فرینوش رمضانی؛ تهران، نشر مرکز، شال1393؛ در58ص؛ شابک9789642131655؛
نمایشنامه ای عاشقانه، و تراژیک، «آنتونیوس و کلئوپاترا»؛ اثر «ویلیام شکسپیر» است؛ این نمایشنامه، «آنتونی» سردار بزرگ «رومی» را، همچون عاشقی دلباخته تصویر میکند، که آنچنان در دام عشق «کلئوپاترا»، ملکه ی «مصر»، اسیر گشته، که «سلطنت»، و «لشکرکشی»، و مسئولیتهای دیگر خود را، در مقام سرداری «رمی»، به هیچ میشمارد؛ اگرچه نخست برای سازش با همکار خود «قیصر اکتاویوس»، به «روم» بازمیگردد، و با خواهر او ازدواج میکند، اما عشق «کلئوپاترا»، بار دیگر باعث میشود، که همه چیز را ترک کند، و دوباره به «مصر» بازگردد؛ رقابت سیاسی بین دو سردار «رومی»، منجر به جنگ میشود، و «آنتونی» شکست میخورد، و خودکشی میکند؛ «کلئوپاترا» نیز، پس از مرگ دلداده ی خود، برای اینکه او را، در رکاب «قیصر اکتاویوس»، به اسارت، به «روم» نبرند، دست به خودکشی میزند؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 18/09/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
May 16, 2022
ا"لقد خدعتني هذه المصرية الحمقاء"ا
هكذا هتف انطونيو بعد ان باعته كيلوبترا في عز المعركة
سبع ملكات حملن اسم كيلوبترا في مصر و لكن تظل اخرهن اشهرهن. .بفضل شكسبير
فقد منحها طابع عملي عنيف..تحمل الكثير من قوة الشخصية الذكورية و ايجابيتها
بينما منح انطونيو المسكين. .دور العاشق الرومانسي
ا"امنحيني قبلة..و هذا سيفى بكل شيء"ا
معظم تصرفاته خرجت من هذا المنطلق العاطفي ..الذي ينتهي دائما في داهية ما
و لكن يظل الكبرياء هو مفتاح شخصية كيلوبترا
حاربت..انتصرت..انهزمت ..و رحلت🐍 بشروطها و
كان عرشها دائما فوق قلبها
درست هذه المسرحية بالتفصيل الممل في تانية ثانوى..مما اورثني حقدا دفينا ..و بالتالي صار تقييمي مشكوك فيه و اضطررت لقراءتها مرة اخري في مطلع الالفية
و دائما يعلق يوليوس قيصر في ذهني أكثر من الحبيبين
اللدودين..
هكذا هتف انطونيو بعد ان باعته كيلوبترا في عز المعركة
سبع ملكات حملن اسم كيلوبترا في مصر و لكن تظل اخرهن اشهرهن. .بفضل شكسبير
فقد منحها طابع عملي عنيف..تحمل الكثير من قوة الشخصية الذكورية و ايجابيتها
بينما منح انطونيو المسكين. .دور العاشق الرومانسي
ا"امنحيني قبلة..و هذا سيفى بكل شيء"ا
معظم تصرفاته خرجت من هذا المنطلق العاطفي ..الذي ينتهي دائما في داهية ما
و لكن يظل الكبرياء هو مفتاح شخصية كيلوبترا
حاربت..انتصرت..انهزمت ..و رحلت🐍 بشروطها و
كان عرشها دائما فوق قلبها
درست هذه المسرحية بالتفصيل الممل في تانية ثانوى..مما اورثني حقدا دفينا ..و بالتالي صار تقييمي مشكوك فيه و اضطررت لقراءتها مرة اخري في مطلع الالفية
و دائما يعلق يوليوس قيصر في ذهني أكثر من الحبيبين
اللدودين..
August 13, 2024
Mark Antony the Roman general , right- hand man of the great Caesar, a shadow to be sure of the most famous ruler of Rome and his unsurpassed conquests in the history of the Empire , yet he Antony , had ability just not enough to overcome his weaknesses. Excessive drinking and chasing beautiful women and ignoring his duty, a bit coarse in truth. The fatal meeting with Queen Cleopatra v11, Greek in blood little of it Egyptian in what is now modern Turkey, she dazzled him floating down a river, the Cydnus ( now called Berdan) on a large barge , all that sparkling opulence the purple sails, silver oars, golden canopy under which the queen lies, dressed like a Greek goddess, the perfumed vessel's delicious aroma spread by the gentle wind,
crossing the waters to its banks, crowds gather the music plays everyone hears, loves...awed and fascinated at the spectacular sight . Not a beauty no Elizabeth Taylor...what she lacked physically, the temptress made up by her intelligence speaking at least seven languages, today the monarch of the Nile would be called an intellectual. Cleopatra's main interest was preserving the independence of her beloved ancient Egypt, she gave it all. Nevertheless the queen who became his fifth wife her third husband, ( having married her two younger brothers previously) must of realized Mark was no Caesar, his adopted son, biologically grand- nephew Octavian soon to be called Augustus Caesar, was the closest to Julius in ability, if not a good military leader which men would trust and follow into deadly battle. But he choose well his generals and admirals, the massive sea battle of Actium off the coast of Greece, September 2, 31 B.C. over 500 ships and many thousands of crewmen fought and died proved it. The final struggle, the inevitable contest to be the supreme leader of the Roman world came and the winner ...well you can read the results in a history book or see a film. Shakespeare's poetry makes a tragedy come to life, the magic continues in the words, page after page the sentences wonderfully connect the emotions and fears grip the reader, we may know the outcome still the interest never evaporates, the facts are not important the enchantment is... Antony and Cleopatra were buried in the same tomb now lost and unknown near Alexandria, when the desert winds blew the shifted sands flowed into the air and came down again, covering all... the memory of man is short...
crossing the waters to its banks, crowds gather the music plays everyone hears, loves...awed and fascinated at the spectacular sight . Not a beauty no Elizabeth Taylor...what she lacked physically, the temptress made up by her intelligence speaking at least seven languages, today the monarch of the Nile would be called an intellectual. Cleopatra's main interest was preserving the independence of her beloved ancient Egypt, she gave it all. Nevertheless the queen who became his fifth wife her third husband, ( having married her two younger brothers previously) must of realized Mark was no Caesar, his adopted son, biologically grand- nephew Octavian soon to be called Augustus Caesar, was the closest to Julius in ability, if not a good military leader which men would trust and follow into deadly battle. But he choose well his generals and admirals, the massive sea battle of Actium off the coast of Greece, September 2, 31 B.C. over 500 ships and many thousands of crewmen fought and died proved it. The final struggle, the inevitable contest to be the supreme leader of the Roman world came and the winner ...well you can read the results in a history book or see a film. Shakespeare's poetry makes a tragedy come to life, the magic continues in the words, page after page the sentences wonderfully connect the emotions and fears grip the reader, we may know the outcome still the interest never evaporates, the facts are not important the enchantment is... Antony and Cleopatra were buried in the same tomb now lost and unknown near Alexandria, when the desert winds blew the shifted sands flowed into the air and came down again, covering all... the memory of man is short...
July 16, 2016
Shakespeare does it again.
He mingles the historical with the imaginary, the public with the private, the tragedy with the theatrical to infuse life into one the most popular couples in ancient Rome; the star-crossed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra. Love and war were never more indistinguishably fused.
The fact that the Bard brings forth his masterful descriptive skills almost avoiding the use of the soliloquy, his trump car and most employed device to create poignant psychological portraits, makes the characterization of the protagonists all the more an astonishing feat.
Because Anthony, Cleopatra and Octavius are presented as contradictory individuals, whose passions represent public symbols in the realm of political machinations, and the burden of their pressing responsibilities eschews easy stereotyping.
Anthony is a man of action with grand aspirations. He attempts to rationalize his ardent love for Cleopatra and capitulates to his ancestry, acting like a uniting bridge between the Roman and the Egyptian values. His ultimate self-sacrifice in front of Caesar’s hegemony after his boundless desire has overpowered his warrior’s ambition is an act of equal nobleness and desperation, worthy of “A Roman, by a Roman; Valiantly vanquished”, instead of the humiliated hero.
Cleopatra might easily be the most complex and thought-provoking of Shakespeare’s female characters, which is denoted in the unusually poetic, allegoric language she employs. She refers to herself as the “Nile” and her words acquire a particular cadence that could be associated with water. What a better metaphorical antithesis for the classical notion of fixed and stable identity? For Cleopatra embodies such radical “otherness”, such histrionic voluptuousness, capricious and dangerously tantalizing that in her converges the exoticism of the “Eastern” mysteries that both repel and attract the self-restrained Roman leaders, first Julius Caesar, and then Marc Anthony.
“She shall be buried with Anthony-
No grave upon earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them; and their story is
No less in pity than his glory which
Brought them to be lamented.”
Such is the tribute Octavius pays to his rival, displaying a remarkable empathy that bespeaks of the Emperor’s unwavering sense of justice. Anthony and Cleopatra’s surrender anticipates the end of an era, the dissolution of Egypt as a powerful opponent to the Roman Empire and the beginning of unrestful times, precluding the expansion of Christianity and posterior entrance into the obscure Middle Ages.
And so again, the reader is left wondering whether Shakespeare was writing a love-tragedy, a historical play with a rather anti-climatic conclusion or a nostalgic elegy to a splendorous past that saw its end coming.
Whatever the case, I envision joyful times ahead trying to figure out Shakespeare’s teasing riddles and contradicting myself as I change perspectives throughout my life.
Few things are so comforting like such thought.
Few things are this precious.
He mingles the historical with the imaginary, the public with the private, the tragedy with the theatrical to infuse life into one the most popular couples in ancient Rome; the star-crossed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra. Love and war were never more indistinguishably fused.
The fact that the Bard brings forth his masterful descriptive skills almost avoiding the use of the soliloquy, his trump car and most employed device to create poignant psychological portraits, makes the characterization of the protagonists all the more an astonishing feat.
Because Anthony, Cleopatra and Octavius are presented as contradictory individuals, whose passions represent public symbols in the realm of political machinations, and the burden of their pressing responsibilities eschews easy stereotyping.
Anthony is a man of action with grand aspirations. He attempts to rationalize his ardent love for Cleopatra and capitulates to his ancestry, acting like a uniting bridge between the Roman and the Egyptian values. His ultimate self-sacrifice in front of Caesar’s hegemony after his boundless desire has overpowered his warrior’s ambition is an act of equal nobleness and desperation, worthy of “A Roman, by a Roman; Valiantly vanquished”, instead of the humiliated hero.
Cleopatra might easily be the most complex and thought-provoking of Shakespeare’s female characters, which is denoted in the unusually poetic, allegoric language she employs. She refers to herself as the “Nile” and her words acquire a particular cadence that could be associated with water. What a better metaphorical antithesis for the classical notion of fixed and stable identity? For Cleopatra embodies such radical “otherness”, such histrionic voluptuousness, capricious and dangerously tantalizing that in her converges the exoticism of the “Eastern” mysteries that both repel and attract the self-restrained Roman leaders, first Julius Caesar, and then Marc Anthony.
“She shall be buried with Anthony-
No grave upon earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them; and their story is
No less in pity than his glory which
Brought them to be lamented.”
Such is the tribute Octavius pays to his rival, displaying a remarkable empathy that bespeaks of the Emperor’s unwavering sense of justice. Anthony and Cleopatra’s surrender anticipates the end of an era, the dissolution of Egypt as a powerful opponent to the Roman Empire and the beginning of unrestful times, precluding the expansion of Christianity and posterior entrance into the obscure Middle Ages.
And so again, the reader is left wondering whether Shakespeare was writing a love-tragedy, a historical play with a rather anti-climatic conclusion or a nostalgic elegy to a splendorous past that saw its end coming.
Whatever the case, I envision joyful times ahead trying to figure out Shakespeare’s teasing riddles and contradicting myself as I change perspectives throughout my life.
Few things are so comforting like such thought.
Few things are this precious.
February 14, 2023
someone explain to Antony that he can't just blame women every time something goes wrong in his life 🙄
October 31, 2015
Mark Antony is a real pain in the asp.
February 15, 2024
Об этой пьесе идут постоянные дискуссии – о ком или о чем она. Такая многозначность смыслов и толкований возможна у поистине сложного произведения.
Каждый волен придерживаться своей точки зрения. Моя же – что эта пьеса о любви и выборе, который делают герои.
Клеопатра была опытным политиком и царствовала вполне усп��шно, сохраняя бразды правления в своих руках, решая отправлять флот или сдаваться без боя, она не была номинальным властителем или марионеткой. Но в то же время она была женщиной: «Вся она - воплощенье одной любви без примеси.» Такая многогранность и сила личности очень редка, и даже сейчас трудно найти сравнение с ней.
Антоний также политик, также с большим опытом, и также использует все средства для укрепления своего положения, в том числе брак по расчету. Любовь между двумя людьми, искушенными в грязных политических интригах, умеющих ударить почувствительнее, привыкшими побеждать, - это большое испытание.
Антоний после сдачи флота Клеопатры, признается:
«Я воевал ведь только для нее
И думал, что она по крайней мере
Хоть тут со мной, как я всегда был с ней
И шедшие за мною миллионы,
Которые утрачены сейчас.
Так думал я. Она же, милый Эрос,
Держала руку Цезаря. Она
Сбыла к его триумфу за бесценок
Меня с моею славой. Но не плачь.
Мы сами устраним себя из жизни.»
Безвольная мысль о самоубийстве возникла до ложного известия о смерти Клеопатры, эта мысль говорит о его слабости, поскольку в порыве ревности и обиды от предательства, он не мыслит иного выхода из сложной ситуации. Когда же это ложное известие достигает его, он развивает эту мысль.
«Клеопатра!
Я догоню тебя и попрошу
В слезах прощенья.»
Он делает самоубийственный выбор, опять же ему сначала не достает мужества, он просит то Эроса, то стражников зарубить его – но и они не могут поднять меч на своего кумира.
Клеопатра не только должна оставаться жить без возлюбленного,
«Мой драгоценный,
Как, ты умрешь? Тебе не жаль меня?
А мне остаться в этом скучном мире,
Который без тебя, как хлев свиной?»,
но еще она подлежит публичному унижению, она становится трофеем, добычей, поэтому она принимает такой же выбор, веря в то, что встретит его в загробном мире. И надо отметить, мужества у нее побольше, чем у Антония, она даже засокрушалась, что он увидит Иру первой.
И все-таки помимо любви и невозможности жить друг без друга, у этих выдающихся политиков важной составляющей для принятия такого губительного решения, была горечь от поражения, которое они не могли принять. Это не Ромео Джульетта, это зрелые люди, потерявшие не только любовь, но и власть.
Вот только мне остается непонятным, зачем Клеопатра приказала своему флоту сдаться без боя, если она так любила Антония?
August 25, 2020
Book Review
4 out of 5 stars to Antony and Cleopatra, a play published in 1606 by William Shakespeare.This is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays, partially for some of the reality on which it is based. Some know the full story, others know bits and pieces. Cleopatra, famous in her own right, is the Queen of Egypt. Caeser is conquering the world. Antony rules Rome for a while. The love affair between these three, plus a former wife and the sister, Octavia, create such a beautiful and tragic story. Misunderstood messages. Betrayal. Hatred. Anger. Love. It's a reflection on all the human emotions, wondering why we are tested at so many points in our lives. Where does a man's heart lie? How honest is the woman he loves? Can you trust your own staff? Time-tested questions we've faced for nearly 400 years since this was written, but also the thousands of years before it. This one had a bit of everything and was one of the more easily understood plays. It tugs a little at your emotions while pushing you to root for the right people. And if you are a history buff, it makes it all that much more enjoyable.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
4 out of 5 stars to Antony and Cleopatra, a play published in 1606 by William Shakespeare.This is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays, partially for some of the reality on which it is based. Some know the full story, others know bits and pieces. Cleopatra, famous in her own right, is the Queen of Egypt. Caeser is conquering the world. Antony rules Rome for a while. The love affair between these three, plus a former wife and the sister, Octavia, create such a beautiful and tragic story. Misunderstood messages. Betrayal. Hatred. Anger. Love. It's a reflection on all the human emotions, wondering why we are tested at so many points in our lives. Where does a man's heart lie? How honest is the woman he loves? Can you trust your own staff? Time-tested questions we've faced for nearly 400 years since this was written, but also the thousands of years before it. This one had a bit of everything and was one of the more easily understood plays. It tugs a little at your emotions while pushing you to root for the right people. And if you are a history buff, it makes it all that much more enjoyable.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
October 7, 2023
المسرحية فيها ثلاث أبطال انطونيو و كليوبترا و اوكتافيوس
المفضل لي كان بالطبع انطونيو بالرغم من كل شئ.
كرهت افتعال اوكتافيوس للمشاكل و افتعال كليوبترا للمشاكل
كما كرهت المحن المنمق الذي كان يميز اول المسرحية و بعض اجزائها.
كما احببت تعبيرات شكسبير المعقده للغاية.
و عودة لشكسبير مرة اخري قريبًا جدًا
المفضل لي كان بالطبع انطونيو بالرغم من كل شئ.
كرهت افتعال اوكتافيوس للمشاكل و افتعال كليوبترا للمشاكل
كما كرهت المحن المنمق الذي كان يميز اول المسرحية و بعض اجزائها.
كما احببت تعبيرات شكسبير المعقده للغاية.
و عودة لشكسبير مرة اخري قريبًا جدًا
August 10, 2023
"Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper. She replied,
It should be better he become her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne'er the word "no" woman heard speak,
Being barbered ten times o'er, goes to the feast,
And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only."
Invited her to supper. She replied,
It should be better he become her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne'er the word "no" woman heard speak,
Being barbered ten times o'er, goes to the feast,
And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only."
August 15, 2023
“You did know
How much you were my conqueror, and that
My sword, made weak by my affection, would
Obey it on all cause.”
How much you were my conqueror, and that
My sword, made weak by my affection, would
Obey it on all cause.”
March 23, 2017
I wish you all the joys of the worm.
You know, for the longest time, I had placed this of all of Shakespeare's plays among the highest in my estimation, for where else could I have so many references to melting or even have an early punk band write a song about it? (Melt, Siouxsie and the Banshees)
Indeed, Let Rome in Tiber melt! I really enjoyed the triumvirate of powers, the play on politics and the whole chaos of such an equal footing between Ceasar, Antony, and Cleopatra. Can we blame the woman? Should we rather blame the man? Could it just be the ego and pride of Ceasar we should point a finger at? The whole world was at all of their feet, and yet all of their egos were too big for the Earth to hold them.
Honestly, the first portion of the play was easily the worst and I didn't love it nearly as much as my first reading. Rather, I enjoyed the play of words and the references to the classic legends surrounding Cleopatra and the rug more than the actual revolving scenes and action.
This isn't quite true for the unfurling of the real tragedy, however. I did love that as much as I had remembered.
But I can't, in all fairness, keep the last star just for the strength of the end, so I struck it. I let Eros be my scholar.
Still, not dead, not dead.
You know, for the longest time, I had placed this of all of Shakespeare's plays among the highest in my estimation, for where else could I have so many references to melting or even have an early punk band write a song about it? (Melt, Siouxsie and the Banshees)
Indeed, Let Rome in Tiber melt! I really enjoyed the triumvirate of powers, the play on politics and the whole chaos of such an equal footing between Ceasar, Antony, and Cleopatra. Can we blame the woman? Should we rather blame the man? Could it just be the ego and pride of Ceasar we should point a finger at? The whole world was at all of their feet, and yet all of their egos were too big for the Earth to hold them.
Honestly, the first portion of the play was easily the worst and I didn't love it nearly as much as my first reading. Rather, I enjoyed the play of words and the references to the classic legends surrounding Cleopatra and the rug more than the actual revolving scenes and action.
This isn't quite true for the unfurling of the real tragedy, however. I did love that as much as I had remembered.
But I can't, in all fairness, keep the last star just for the strength of the end, so I struck it. I let Eros be my scholar.
Still, not dead, not dead.
March 12, 2022
I had an interesting journey with this play. I read it once and thought it was okay. Then I watched a brilliant adaptation, and then reread it, and now I love it and it’s one of my favourites. I thought that the fighting and war strategy side of things were not the most interesting, but weren’t boring either. The characters kept talking over each other but that was part of the story and felt very realistic. People do that in real life too. And when you have so many leaders in a single area… it makes a lot of sense. Cleopatra was amazing. She was quite funny and dramatic, but she was also fierce and smart. I like that the play has echoes of Romeo and Juliet threaded in there… and a hint of forbidden romance. I loved the Egyptian setting.
October 2, 2023
Antony and Cleopatra is a stormy exploration of power, passion, and the fickle hand of fate. A collision of opposing forces—Rome’s disciplined structure against Egypt’s chaotic seductions—and the ambiguities of love, allegiance, and political ambition underscore the characters’ fickle loyalties and ceaseless quests for power, blurring the lines between hero and villain.
While Antony grapples with the tension between duty and desire, and Cleopatra represents a mix of feminine power that both charms and confuses, the narrative deftly shifts between Roman courts and Egyptian palaces, letting the setting mirror the characters’ conflicting ambitions. Striking lines like Antony’s cry of “Let Rome in Tiber melt” (I,1,38) and Cleopatra’s matching “Melt Egypt into Nile” (II,5,96) demonstrate Shakespeare’s genius for expressing emotions through imagery.
Antony and Cleopatra could be compared to Romeo and Juliet in its passionate and tragic undercurrents. But this play isn’t just a love story and is not just a piece of history either; it’s a geopolitical chess game, a meeting of two distinct cultures with their accompanying stereotypes of Western superiority and Eastern inferiority, that advances to the graver realms of political discord and mature love. It also shares themes with Macbeth, yet employs a different lens and locale.
This play has given rise to countless adaptations and has been critiqued from varying perspectives—some upholding the Roman virtues, while others decry the portrayal of Eastern otherness, adding layers to its interpretative richness. In particular, a deeper examination of the play within the context of Elizabethan imperialism might be illuminating. Furthermore, seeing Antony grapple with the same moral dilemmas that might beset leaders today and watching Cleopatra’s baffling blend of vulnerability and strength unfold on stage adds an arresting relevance to the play.
With that said, “I wish you joy o’ the worm”.
While Antony grapples with the tension between duty and desire, and Cleopatra represents a mix of feminine power that both charms and confuses, the narrative deftly shifts between Roman courts and Egyptian palaces, letting the setting mirror the characters’ conflicting ambitions. Striking lines like Antony’s cry of “Let Rome in Tiber melt” (I,1,38) and Cleopatra’s matching “Melt Egypt into Nile” (II,5,96) demonstrate Shakespeare’s genius for expressing emotions through imagery.
Antony and Cleopatra could be compared to Romeo and Juliet in its passionate and tragic undercurrents. But this play isn’t just a love story and is not just a piece of history either; it’s a geopolitical chess game, a meeting of two distinct cultures with their accompanying stereotypes of Western superiority and Eastern inferiority, that advances to the graver realms of political discord and mature love. It also shares themes with Macbeth, yet employs a different lens and locale.
This play has given rise to countless adaptations and has been critiqued from varying perspectives—some upholding the Roman virtues, while others decry the portrayal of Eastern otherness, adding layers to its interpretative richness. In particular, a deeper examination of the play within the context of Elizabethan imperialism might be illuminating. Furthermore, seeing Antony grapple with the same moral dilemmas that might beset leaders today and watching Cleopatra’s baffling blend of vulnerability and strength unfold on stage adds an arresting relevance to the play.
With that said, “I wish you joy o’ the worm”.
November 26, 2017
“Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me”
― William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra
A great Shakespeare play, but one (for me) that is still overpowered by Shakespeare's earlier tragedies. The story is based on Plutarch's Lives (North's translation). The weight and strength of this play is, obviously, going to center on Cleopatra and Antony. They are fascinating as a couple (literary and political binaries) and Cleopatra is amazingly, spectacularly, flushed-out by Shakespeare. Their "love" story, even before Shakespeare, was destined for myth. But Shaksepeare makes us both root for their survival and their love even as we know the dark worm turns, the golden snake bites, and opportunism and luck eventually both come to an abrubt and tragic end.
Even with ALL of that, there isn't enough in this play (for me) to launch it into the highest Shakespearean orbit. I think part of this blame lies with me. I think I need to spend MORE time with the play. I think there are textures and shades that I missed. This play needs more than days, it needs and demands (like Cleopatra and Antony) attention. So, perhaps, I am giving too short of a stick to this play. I can buy that. I should also mention, beyond Antony and Cleopatra (and perhaps Caesar Augustus), the best lines of this play all come from Enobarbus.
Favorite Lines:
“In time we hate that which we often fear.”
- Act I, Scene 3
"WE, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losin gof our prayers."
- Act II, Scene 1
"The Barge she sat in, like a burnished throwne,
Burned on the water."
- Act II, Scene 2
"And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only."
- Act II, Scene 2
"Good madam, keep yourself within yourself"
- Act II, Scene 5
“The breaking of so great a thing should make
A greater crack: the round world
Should have shook lions into civil streets,
And citizens to their dens.”
- Act V, Scene 1
― William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra
A great Shakespeare play, but one (for me) that is still overpowered by Shakespeare's earlier tragedies. The story is based on Plutarch's Lives (North's translation). The weight and strength of this play is, obviously, going to center on Cleopatra and Antony. They are fascinating as a couple (literary and political binaries) and Cleopatra is amazingly, spectacularly, flushed-out by Shakespeare. Their "love" story, even before Shakespeare, was destined for myth. But Shaksepeare makes us both root for their survival and their love even as we know the dark worm turns, the golden snake bites, and opportunism and luck eventually both come to an abrubt and tragic end.
Even with ALL of that, there isn't enough in this play (for me) to launch it into the highest Shakespearean orbit. I think part of this blame lies with me. I think I need to spend MORE time with the play. I think there are textures and shades that I missed. This play needs more than days, it needs and demands (like Cleopatra and Antony) attention. So, perhaps, I am giving too short of a stick to this play. I can buy that. I should also mention, beyond Antony and Cleopatra (and perhaps Caesar Augustus), the best lines of this play all come from Enobarbus.
Favorite Lines:
“In time we hate that which we often fear.”
- Act I, Scene 3
"WE, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losin gof our prayers."
- Act II, Scene 1
"The Barge she sat in, like a burnished throwne,
Burned on the water."
- Act II, Scene 2
"And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only."
- Act II, Scene 2
"Good madam, keep yourself within yourself"
- Act II, Scene 5
“The breaking of so great a thing should make
A greater crack: the round world
Should have shook lions into civil streets,
And citizens to their dens.”
- Act V, Scene 1
September 10, 2018
Shakespeare at his best...😊.
July 3, 2016
كليوباترا الفاتنة، كليوباترا العاشقة، كليوباترا الخائنة، كليوباترا المتكبرة، كليوباترا المخادعة، كليوباترا التي تفعل أي شيء في سبيل التاج، كليوباترا المخلصة... تبًا لكليوباترا التي لم استطع أن أفهمها على مدار المسرحية! شكسبير رسم شخصية معقدة ومتناقضة بشكل كبير.
من يتتبع التاريخ يعلم هذه الفترة الزمنية حيث طُردت كليوباترا من حكم مصر على يد أخيها بطليموس الثالث عشر، وبعدها لجئت هي بحيلها إلى يوليوس قيصر وأوقعته في غرامها لكي تستعيد حكم مصر، وتزوجا وأنجبت منه قيصرون.. ثم بعد موت قيصر عادت إلى مصر مرة أخرى إلى أن استدعاها أنطونيو الذي آل إليه الحكم هو وأكتافيان قيصر بعد موت يوليوس.. ومن هنا تبدأ أحداث المسرحية حيث أفتتن أنطونيو بها وذهبا للعيش معًا في مصر.
ما يجعل هذه المسرحية ليست مجرد سرد تاريخي هو تناولها للعلاقة بين أنطونيو وكليوباترا وما يعتريها من تغيرات باحتذاء مسار التاريخ.
أجاد شكسبير في رسم دواخل شخصياته، وبالذات شخصية كليوباترا المعقدة التي لن تستطيع تحديد مشاعرها على مدار المسرحية، فهي تحب أنطونيو، ومرة تريد أن تتخلى عنه وتخونه لمصلحة قيصر لكي تحافظ على تاجها، وتجدها تتخلى عنه في الحرب، وتجلب له الموت، ثم انتحرت في النهاية لكي تصبح معه!
واحدة من المآسي الرائعة لشكسبير التي يحتذي فيها التاريخ القديم مع الرومانسية.
من يتتبع التاريخ يعلم هذه الفترة الزمنية حيث طُردت كليوباترا من حكم مصر على يد أخيها بطليموس الثالث عشر، وبعدها لجئت هي بحيلها إلى يوليوس قيصر وأوقعته في غرامها لكي تستعيد حكم مصر، وتزوجا وأنجبت منه قيصرون.. ثم بعد موت قيصر عادت إلى مصر مرة أخرى إلى أن استدعاها أنطونيو الذي آل إليه الحكم هو وأكتافيان قيصر بعد موت يوليوس.. ومن هنا تبدأ أحداث المسرحية حيث أفتتن أنطونيو بها وذهبا للعيش معًا في مصر.
ما يجعل هذه المسرحية ليست مجرد سرد تاريخي هو تناولها للعلاقة بين أنطونيو وكليوباترا وما يعتريها من تغيرات باحتذاء مسار التاريخ.
أجاد شكسبير في رسم دواخل شخصياته، وبالذات شخصية كليوباترا المعقدة التي لن تستطيع تحديد مشاعرها على مدار المسرحية، فهي تحب أنطونيو، ومرة تريد أن تتخلى عنه وتخونه لمصلحة قيصر لكي تحافظ على تاجها، وتجدها تتخلى عنه في الحرب، وتجلب له الموت، ثم انتحرت في النهاية لكي تصبح معه!
واحدة من المآسي الرائعة لشكسبير التي يحتذي فيها التاريخ القديم مع الرومانسية.
July 15, 2024
⭐️3.5/قبل از این نمایشنامه دورادور کلئوپترا رو خیلی دوست داشتم-شاید اینکه دوستام از دبیرستان همیشه از لحاظ ظاهری یا اخلاقی من رو بهش شباهت میدادن بیتاثیر نباشه- ولی اینجا فهمیدم که کاملا با تصورم یا شخصیت خود بنده فرق داشت و یک زن منفعتطلب تشنهی قدرت بود که عشق براش یه اسباب بازی نمایشی بود. حقیقتا از بین نمایشنامههای شکسپر این موردعلاقهم نبود و در طول کتاب اتفاقات رو گم میکردم که اگر نمایشنامهی جولیوس سزار رو قبلش میخوندم اینطور نمیشد اما دلیل نمیشه از متن و دیالوگهای فوقالعادهی استاد لذت نبرده باشم و تشابهی که داشت به رومئو و ژولیت پیدا میکرد-یا کرد- برام جالب بود. و صحنهی تراژیک آخرش هم که هیچی، شیفتهش شدم...
"خاموش، خاموش! مگر کودک مرا بر سینهام نمیبینی که شیر خود را میمکد و به خواب میرود؟"
اینکه کلئوپترا تصمیمات اشتباه زیادی گرفت و آنتونی خیلی احمق بود و همهی این حرف ها به کنار، من چون پروژهی آخر این ترمم برای درس "ادبیات نمایشی در شرق" الههی ایزیس بود، این نمایشنامه و جوری که کلئوپترا خودش رو به الههی ایزیس شباهت میداد برام شگفتانگیز و خیلی قابل درک بود و اگر زودتر خونده بودمش تو مقالهم حتما تک قسمتهاییش نام میبردم.
کلام آخر اینکه، اگر تا به حال شکسپیر خوانی رو شروع نکردید، آب دستتونه بذارید زمین و این تابستون با ویلیام جون حسابی خوش بگذرونید🥂
"خاموش، خاموش! مگر کودک مرا بر سینهام نمیبینی که شیر خود را میمکد و به خواب میرود؟"
اینکه کلئوپترا تصمیمات اشتباه زیادی گرفت و آنتونی خیلی احمق بود و همهی این حرف ها به کنار، من چون پروژهی آخر این ترمم برای درس "ادبیات نمایشی در شرق" الههی ایزیس بود، این نمایشنامه و جوری که کلئوپترا خودش رو به الههی ایزیس شباهت میداد برام شگفتانگیز و خیلی قابل درک بود و اگر زودتر خونده بودمش تو مقالهم حتما تک قسمتهاییش نام میبردم.
کلام آخر اینکه، اگر تا به حال شکسپیر خوانی رو شروع نکردید، آب دستتونه بذارید زمین و این تابستون با ویلیام جون حسابی خوش بگذرونید🥂
March 28, 2024
— The city cast her people out upon her and Antony, enthroned i’th’market-place, did sit alone, whistling to th’air, which, but for vacancy, had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, and made a gap in nature.
March 4, 2023
”I made these wars for Egypt, and the queen — whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine.” ~Antony
”Let me rail so high
That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel
Provoked by my offense.”
~Cleopatra
”The breaking of so great a thing should
make
A greater crack.”
~Caesar
Sequels rarely match the original work. When they do, it is noteworthy, as when Godfather II won a Best Picture Oscar. Antony and Cleopatra is a Shakespearean sequel of sorts, the story continued from Julius Caesar. While it lacks the fame of its predecessor in Shakespeare’s canon, and is not nearly so often preformed or read, I find it to be just as powerful, if not more so. It is among my favorite of his works.
Antony and Cleopatra is both a History (sourced from Plutarch’s Lives) and a tragedy. While short on famous lines, it is driven by unforgettable characters. Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s greatest female creation, clever, impish, impassioned, and raging. Antony is both noble and foolish, a great warrior sliding into his dotage. Their shared passion drives them, their doom, and the play, and o’r matches all other such in Shakespeare. Their combined foolishness and nobility is irresistible. Octavian Caesar’s cold, calculated efficiency is a brilliant counterpoint to this passion. Enobarbus, Antony’s chief lieutenant, is the play’s Cassandra, a hard nosed, practical soldier who foresees his lord’s doom, warns him against it in vain, and is destroyed by it. In truth, all the minor characters in the play throb with life, each adding to its whole and not one a cipher.
Antony and Cleopatra is full of spectacle — feasts and councils, battles at sea and battles on land, Love and War. It may be the logistics of this that keeps it from being preformed as often as its quality merits. But little effort is required to acquaint yourself with this brilliant play. I recommend doing it soon, and often.
”Let me rail so high
That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel
Provoked by my offense.”
~Cleopatra
”The breaking of so great a thing should
make
A greater crack.”
~Caesar
Sequels rarely match the original work. When they do, it is noteworthy, as when Godfather II won a Best Picture Oscar. Antony and Cleopatra is a Shakespearean sequel of sorts, the story continued from Julius Caesar. While it lacks the fame of its predecessor in Shakespeare’s canon, and is not nearly so often preformed or read, I find it to be just as powerful, if not more so. It is among my favorite of his works.
Antony and Cleopatra is both a History (sourced from Plutarch’s Lives) and a tragedy. While short on famous lines, it is driven by unforgettable characters. Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s greatest female creation, clever, impish, impassioned, and raging. Antony is both noble and foolish, a great warrior sliding into his dotage. Their shared passion drives them, their doom, and the play, and o’r matches all other such in Shakespeare. Their combined foolishness and nobility is irresistible. Octavian Caesar’s cold, calculated efficiency is a brilliant counterpoint to this passion. Enobarbus, Antony’s chief lieutenant, is the play’s Cassandra, a hard nosed, practical soldier who foresees his lord’s doom, warns him against it in vain, and is destroyed by it. In truth, all the minor characters in the play throb with life, each adding to its whole and not one a cipher.
Antony and Cleopatra is full of spectacle — feasts and councils, battles at sea and battles on land, Love and War. It may be the logistics of this that keeps it from being preformed as often as its quality merits. But little effort is required to acquaint yourself with this brilliant play. I recommend doing it soon, and often.
May 2, 2021
What strikes the most about this play is perhaps its volatile nature. We switch from site to site in an instant, from Athens to Rome, then Alexandria, and on to Sicily. We get to follow the different protagonists across the Mediterranean. No surprise since the tragedy takes place in a time when the whole known world was divided among three men, the triumvirs. The conflict in question was one which will decide the fate of a whole civilization, for centuries to come. No matter how much fiction Shakespeare had to add to the historical narrative, only his eloquence can grasp the grandeur of what was at stake for these historical figures.
One of the main focus points of the play is of course the tumultuous relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra. It is hard to understand clearly what does unite them. What is clear is that this relationship pushes both of them to some extreme behaviors, mainly mistreating ambassadors!
Anthony is described as a noble man of arms, with long experience on the battlefield and glorious victories to his name. Yet he will yield to the charms of Egypt, personified by its queen. This passion will be the starting point of his decadence. He made difficult maneuvers to come back on track militarily and politically, as a decent rival to Octavius Caesar, but we feel it was too late. The tragic disgrace was inevitable. The lamentation on past glories and sorrow over past fortunate days is a big part of this character. The epitome of this was his escape in Actium. Shakespeare spares nothing in expressing all the shame and horror Anthony felt about himself after the defeat and the dishonorable act of escaping, which laid his shadow on all his past successes.
As for Cleopatra, We find a cruel, superstitious, manipulative, jealous and often delusional woman. She is quit possessive of Anthony but at the same time ready to manipulate him. She tries to make the best deal for herself at the end, but knowing that there is no way she can get one from Octavius she finally gives up, and follows the path of her lover.
Other very interesting sides of the play are some secondary characters, mainly subordinate to the protagonists. In the changing fortunes of their masters, they had to make some tough choices, and find a justification to their actions. The tides were turning and one had to decide between loyalty or doom with a decadent master. This tragic scene won’t be complete without the moment when the decadent master is deaf to the advice of his loyal friends, which accentuate the drama even more.
One of the main focus points of the play is of course the tumultuous relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra. It is hard to understand clearly what does unite them. What is clear is that this relationship pushes both of them to some extreme behaviors, mainly mistreating ambassadors!
Anthony is described as a noble man of arms, with long experience on the battlefield and glorious victories to his name. Yet he will yield to the charms of Egypt, personified by its queen. This passion will be the starting point of his decadence. He made difficult maneuvers to come back on track militarily and politically, as a decent rival to Octavius Caesar, but we feel it was too late. The tragic disgrace was inevitable. The lamentation on past glories and sorrow over past fortunate days is a big part of this character. The epitome of this was his escape in Actium. Shakespeare spares nothing in expressing all the shame and horror Anthony felt about himself after the defeat and the dishonorable act of escaping, which laid his shadow on all his past successes.
As for Cleopatra, We find a cruel, superstitious, manipulative, jealous and often delusional woman. She is quit possessive of Anthony but at the same time ready to manipulate him. She tries to make the best deal for herself at the end, but knowing that there is no way she can get one from Octavius she finally gives up, and follows the path of her lover.
Other very interesting sides of the play are some secondary characters, mainly subordinate to the protagonists. In the changing fortunes of their masters, they had to make some tough choices, and find a justification to their actions. The tides were turning and one had to decide between loyalty or doom with a decadent master. This tragic scene won’t be complete without the moment when the decadent master is deaf to the advice of his loyal friends, which accentuate the drama even more.
May 26, 2020
I don’t think I’m gonna write a very articulate review for this one. I enjoyed it and it’s a good play but it lacks a little something. I just couldn’t connect with the characters as much and the whole plot line just wasn’t my fav (which is super disappointing since this was the play that I was most excited to read cz...hellooooo we have arabs in here yay!). The writing is of course amazing but for some reason this just fell flat for me *shrugs*.
Next up: The Winter’s Tale🤞🏼
Next up: The Winter’s Tale🤞🏼
December 7, 2022
✩ 3.5 stars
~
“In time we hate that which we often fear.”
•
“The April’s in her eyes; it is love’s spring, and these the showers to bring it on.”
•
“when valour preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with.”
•
“Thou art the armourer of my heart.”
~
if everyone had gone to therapy, everything could have been avoided.
~
this was entertaining but it felt shallow not deep enough.
~
i can’t think of anything to take away from this…
except, don’t do anything they did!
~
well it did make for some real good reality tv!
~
antony was an ass,
cleopatra was something else,
& caesar was a dick.
~
overall a fun shakespearean time just no substance with actually pretty good quotes
~
“In time we hate that which we often fear.”
•
“The April’s in her eyes; it is love’s spring, and these the showers to bring it on.”
•
“when valour preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with.”
•
“Thou art the armourer of my heart.”
~
if everyone had gone to therapy, everything could have been avoided.
~
this was entertaining but it felt shallow not deep enough.
~
i can’t think of anything to take away from this…
except, don’t do anything they did!
~
well it did make for some real good reality tv!
~
antony was an ass,
cleopatra was something else,
& caesar was a dick.
~
overall a fun shakespearean time just no substance with actually pretty good quotes
December 23, 2024
"Sonsuzluk dudaklarımızda, gözlerimizde / Mutluluk kaşımız, kirpiğimizdeydi o zaman / Varlığımızın tek kılında bile / Tanrısal bir şeyler vardı."
2024'te başladığım Shakespeare külliyatını tamamen okuma yolculuğum yavaş adımlarla da olsa sürüyor, 2025'te bunu biraz hızlandıralım Eylülcüm, kendime not.
Shakespeare'in en iyi eserleri arasında gösterilmiyor Antonius ve Kleopatra malum. Ama işte yine iyi, elbette çok iyi. Ne tuhaf, hikayenin başını sonunu bilmeme ve normalde tiyatro metni okumayı hiç sevmememe rağmen, müthiş bir merak ve hazla okudum bu kitabı - o da işte Shakespeare'i Shakespeare yapan şeylerden ötürü tabii, en çok da şiirli dilinden.
Belki en iyi metinlerinden biri değil ama şiirsel olarak en güçlülerinden biri bence, üstelik de içinde yazdığı en muhteşem kadın karakterlerden biri var; Kleopatra elbette. Coşkusu, öfkesi, tutkusu, saplantıları, güzelliği, çocuksuluğu - her şeyiyle muazzam yazılmış bir karakter sahiden. Hayatta "Shakespeare'in Kleopatra'sı" diye ayrı bir ifade olması şaşırtıcı değil. ("Yaş yıpratamaz o kadını / Alışkanlık tüketemez sonsuz değişmelerini / Başka her kadın uyandırdığı isteği doyurup giderir / O en çok doyurduğu zaman acıktırır insanı.") Gerek o, gerek Markus Antonius enfes karakterler. Beni metindeki aşk hikayesi kadar, Caesar ile Antonius'un ilişkisi de etkiledi, zira dostluğa içkin bir sürü şeyi katman katman yedirmiş bu öyküye Shakespeare. Öfke, rekabet, hırs, kıskançlık - ama tüm bunlara rağmen orada bir biçimde durabilen sevgi.
Ezcümle, seneyi ihtişamlı şekilde kapatıyorum Shakespeare ile. Bu yolculuk ne zaman biter bilmem ama kendisinin kelimelerinin peşinde hazdan hazza daha çok zaman savrulacağımı bilmek çok güzel.
“Sen ne kadar kalsan da geliyorsun benimle / Ben ne kadar gitsem de kalıyorum seninle...”
2024'te başladığım Shakespeare külliyatını tamamen okuma yolculuğum yavaş adımlarla da olsa sürüyor, 2025'te bunu biraz hızlandıralım Eylülcüm, kendime not.
Shakespeare'in en iyi eserleri arasında gösterilmiyor Antonius ve Kleopatra malum. Ama işte yine iyi, elbette çok iyi. Ne tuhaf, hikayenin başını sonunu bilmeme ve normalde tiyatro metni okumayı hiç sevmememe rağmen, müthiş bir merak ve hazla okudum bu kitabı - o da işte Shakespeare'i Shakespeare yapan şeylerden ötürü tabii, en çok da şiirli dilinden.
Belki en iyi metinlerinden biri değil ama şiirsel olarak en güçlülerinden biri bence, üstelik de içinde yazdığı en muhteşem kadın karakterlerden biri var; Kleopatra elbette. Coşkusu, öfkesi, tutkusu, saplantıları, güzelliği, çocuksuluğu - her şeyiyle muazzam yazılmış bir karakter sahiden. Hayatta "Shakespeare'in Kleopatra'sı" diye ayrı bir ifade olması şaşırtıcı değil. ("Yaş yıpratamaz o kadını / Alışkanlık tüketemez sonsuz değişmelerini / Başka her kadın uyandırdığı isteği doyurup giderir / O en çok doyurduğu zaman acıktırır insanı.") Gerek o, gerek Markus Antonius enfes karakterler. Beni metindeki aşk hikayesi kadar, Caesar ile Antonius'un ilişkisi de etkiledi, zira dostluğa içkin bir sürü şeyi katman katman yedirmiş bu öyküye Shakespeare. Öfke, rekabet, hırs, kıskançlık - ama tüm bunlara rağmen orada bir biçimde durabilen sevgi.
Ezcümle, seneyi ihtişamlı şekilde kapatıyorum Shakespeare ile. Bu yolculuk ne zaman biter bilmem ama kendisinin kelimelerinin peşinde hazdan hazza daha çok zaman savrulacağımı bilmek çok güzel.
“Sen ne kadar kalsan da geliyorsun benimle / Ben ne kadar gitsem de kalıyorum seninle...”
March 13, 2021
"Onde as almas repousam sobre flores, mão com mão nós iremos, e os espectros deixaremos atónitos com nossa postura apaixonada. "
August 24, 2019
"CLEOPATRA: ... Pero si existió o pudo existir alguno semejante, rebasará la dimensión del sueño. A la Naturaleza le faltan materiales para competir con las extrañas formas de la imaginación; con todo, imaginar un Antonio era una obra maestra, en que la Naturaleza vencía a la imaginación reduciendo los sueños a la nada."
Un 3.5 quizás, creo que esperé mucho de esta obra de teatro desde luego por el título. Y al saber que la historia es de una pareja pensé que me gustaría más que "Julio César" sin embargo no fue así.
La historia desde luego cuenta lo que pasó con Marco Antonio, general romano muy allegado al difunto Julio César y Cleopatra, la faraona de Egipto quien llega a cobrar gran amor por él. Desde hace mucho y eso se ve reflejado en la obra existe una tensión muy especial entre dos de los triunviros de Roma: Antonio y Octavio (que en la traducción que leí es designado como CÉSAR, por haberse cambiado el nombre en algún momento, aunque creo que eso genera confusión).
Personalmente me disgustó un poco cómo es retratado tanto Antonio como Cleopatra, si bien tienen grandes momentos, pero su actuación por momentos parece un poco infantil, sobre todo Cleopatra y tendría que revisar bien los pasajes de esa parte de la historia para ver si realmente fue tanto así como lo pinta Shakespeare. Desde luego a algunos les fascina esa volubilidad y hasta histrionismo de Cleopatra pero yo no lo veo como algo muy positivo o sobre todo descollante. Antonio es vapuleado en parte por las acciones y aunque se menciona que ha sido muy exitoso en campañas anteriores resulta por momentos poco creíble. Ambos tienen sus momentos como digo pero fueron muy escasos como para resaltar en la obra. No veo una gran intención de Shakespeare en demostrar o clarificar algún tema importante en esta obra como sí lo he visto en "Julio César" o "Macbeth", parece una historia contada simplemente.
Me gustó el desarrollo de Enobarbo, genera de Marco Antonio y su desenlace, es uno de los puntos buenos de la obra. Espero poder darle una relectura en algún momento y con material histórico revisado. Sí me gustó y la recomiendo.
Un 3.5 quizás, creo que esperé mucho de esta obra de teatro desde luego por el título. Y al saber que la historia es de una pareja pensé que me gustaría más que "Julio César" sin embargo no fue así.
La historia desde luego cuenta lo que pasó con Marco Antonio, general romano muy allegado al difunto Julio César y Cleopatra, la faraona de Egipto quien llega a cobrar gran amor por él. Desde hace mucho y eso se ve reflejado en la obra existe una tensión muy especial entre dos de los triunviros de Roma: Antonio y Octavio (que en la traducción que leí es designado como CÉSAR, por haberse cambiado el nombre en algún momento, aunque creo que eso genera confusión).
Personalmente me disgustó un poco cómo es retratado tanto Antonio como Cleopatra, si bien tienen grandes momentos, pero su actuación por momentos parece un poco infantil, sobre todo Cleopatra y tendría que revisar bien los pasajes de esa parte de la historia para ver si realmente fue tanto así como lo pinta Shakespeare. Desde luego a algunos les fascina esa volubilidad y hasta histrionismo de Cleopatra pero yo no lo veo como algo muy positivo o sobre todo descollante. Antonio es vapuleado en parte por las acciones y aunque se menciona que ha sido muy exitoso en campañas anteriores resulta por momentos poco creíble. Ambos tienen sus momentos como digo pero fueron muy escasos como para resaltar en la obra. No veo una gran intención de Shakespeare en demostrar o clarificar algún tema importante en esta obra como sí lo he visto en "Julio César" o "Macbeth", parece una historia contada simplemente.
Me gustó el desarrollo de Enobarbo, genera de Marco Antonio y su desenlace, es uno de los puntos buenos de la obra. Espero poder darle una relectura en algún momento y con material histórico revisado. Sí me gustó y la recomiendo.
July 23, 2018
Antony and Cleopatra were interesting characters. It was a fun read.
January 12, 2019
Sevdiklerinizle vedalaşırken ne söylersiniz? "Güle güle, uğurlar olsun, yolun açık olsun..."
Lepidus, yola çıkacak olan Antonius ve Octavia ile vedalaşırken "Göklerin bütün yıldızları ışık saçsın yoluna" diyor. Daha iyisini ancak başka bir Shakespeare eserinde görürüm muhtemelen. Müthiş şiirsel bir anlatımı var.
Lepidus, yola çıkacak olan Antonius ve Octavia ile vedalaşırken "Göklerin bütün yıldızları ışık saçsın yoluna" diyor. Daha iyisini ancak başka bir Shakespeare eserinde görürüm muhtemelen. Müthiş şiirsel bir anlatımı var.
March 3, 2020
کلاس چهارم-پنجم بودم, بین کتابای بابام داشتم می گشتم که این کتابو پیدا کردم. حقیقتا به خاطر جلد و کاغذ های قدیمیش به سمتش جذب شدم و به سرم زد بخونمش.
ولی بعد از یکی دو صفحه دیدم تقریبا هیچی ازش نمیفهمم و به این فکر کردم که چقد کتابای آدم بزرگا کسل کننده هستن.
چند ماه پیش دوباره همین کتاب و پیدا کردم و چند شب پیش هم شروع کردم به خوندنش. هنوز هم باورم نمیشه انقد به این کتاب علاقه پیدا کردم و جذبش شدم!
شکسپیر تو شخصیت پردازی و نشون دادن احساسات و تمایلات متفاوت انسان و کشمکش های درونی و بیرونی شون بی نظیر عمل کرده!
و شخصیت کلوپاترا یکی از قدرتمند ترین زن هاییه که تا به حال راجع بهشون خوندم. کسی که دوتا از بزرگترین مرد های زمانه خودشو به زانو در آورد و در نهایت هم خودکشیش نه به خاطر مرگ آنتونی بلکه به خاطر خودش و اسیر نشدنش به دست سزار بود!
در نهایت چیزی که کتاب و برام خیلی خاص تر کرد نوشته های بابام بینابین جملات بود که باعث شد حس نزدیکی فوق العاده ای بهش بکنم!
ولی بعد از یکی دو صفحه دیدم تقریبا هیچی ازش نمیفهمم و به این فکر کردم که چقد کتابای آدم بزرگا کسل کننده هستن.
چند ماه پیش دوباره همین کتاب و پیدا کردم و چند شب پیش هم شروع کردم به خوندنش. هنوز هم باورم نمیشه انقد به این کتاب علاقه پیدا کردم و جذبش شدم!
شکسپیر تو شخصیت پردازی و نشون دادن احساسات و تمایلات متفاوت انسان و کشمکش های درونی و بیرونی شون بی نظیر عمل کرده!
و شخصیت کلوپاترا یکی از قدرتمند ترین زن هاییه که تا به حال راجع بهشون خوندم. کسی که دوتا از بزرگترین مرد های زمانه خودشو به زانو در آورد و در نهایت هم خودکشیش نه به خاطر مرگ آنتونی بلکه به خاطر خودش و اسیر نشدنش به دست سزار بود!
در نهایت چیزی که کتاب و برام خیلی خاص تر کرد نوشته های بابام بینابین جملات بود که باعث شد حس نزدیکی فوق العاده ای بهش بکنم!
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