Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra dramatizes a major event in world history: the founding of the Roman Empire.

The future first emperor, Octavius Caesar (later called Augustus Caesar), cold-bloodedly manipulates other characters and exercises iron control over himself.

At first, he shares power with Mark Antony, Rome's preeminent military leader, and the weaker Lepidus.

Caesar needs Antony to fend off other Roman strongmen like Pompey; he even offers his sister Octavia to him as a bride, despite Antony's reputation as a libertine and his past rivalry with Caesar.

Once Caesar defeats Pompey, however, he needs no allies.

He brings charges against Lepidus, denies Antony his spoils from Pompeys defeat, and seizes cities in the eastern Roman colonies that Antony rules.

The play's emphasis, however, is on those whom Caesar defeats: Antony and his wealthy Egyptian ally, Queen Cleopatra.

The play does not sugarcoat Antony and Cleopatra's famous love affair, including her calculated attempts to seduce Antony from his duties and his rage when he thinks she has betrayed him to Caesar.

Nonetheless, the lovers find such sensual and emotional satisfaction that Caesars world conquest seems smaller than what they find in each other.

The authoritative edition of Anthony and Cleopatra from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, is now available as an eBook.

Features include: The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Scene-by-scene plot summaries A key to famous lines and phrases An introduction to reading Shakespeares language Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Librarys vast holdings of rare books An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play