Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra, tragedy written by William Shakespeare c. 1606-1607, which contains some of his most sensuous poetry.

Mark Antony, war hero of the Roman Republic, is lingering at Alexandria, enraptured by the beauty of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Forced to return to Rome by political intrigue and the death of his wife Fulvia, Antony cynically secures a pact with his fellow triumvir Octavius (Octavian, later Augustus) by marrying his sister Octavia; but soon afterwards the allure of Cleopatra and their luxurious life in Egypt draw him back there.

In the ensuing war, Antony's uncharacteristic lack of judgement and Cleopatra's panic give the victory to Octavius. Tricked by Cleopatra, Antony believes she is dead and falls on his sword. Discovering she is still alive, Antony is carried to her and dies in her arms. With Antony gone, and unwilling to be part of an ignominious parade of captives in Rome, Cleopatra dresses herself in her royal finery and presses a poisonous asp to her bared breast.