Antony and Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s tragedy of political rivalry and a passionate love affair. Mark Antony, one of Rome’s three rulers, neglects his duty for Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, and the choice destroys them both. This page gives a short summary first and a detailed plot summary after it.

Antony and Cleopatra Short Plot Summary

Mark Antony shares power in Rome with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, yet he spends his days in Egypt with Cleopatra. News of his wife Fulvia’s death and of Pompey’s rebellion pulls him back to Rome. There he marries Caesar’s sister Octavia to seal an alliance, but he soon returns to Cleopatra. Caesar then goes to war against him and defeats his forces at sea. Antony loses his friend Enobarbus, receives a false report of Cleopatra’s death and takes his own life. Cleopatra refuses to be displayed in Rome as Caesar’s captive, so she dies from the bite of a poisonous snake. The two lovers rest side by side.

Antony and Cleopatra Detailed Plot Summary

Antony in Egypt and the Call to Rome

The play opens in Egypt, where Mark Antony spends his time with Cleopatra, the beautiful queen. Word reaches him that his wife Fulvia has died and that Pompey has rebelled against the triumvirate. In Rome, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus worry about Pompey’s growing strength. Caesar also criticises Antony for neglecting his duties and choosing a life of luxury with Cleopatra. The news of Fulvia’s death and the coming battle convinces Antony to return to Rome.

The Alliance and the Marriage to Octavia

When Antony arrives in Rome, quarrels break out between him and Caesar, and Lepidus tries to keep the peace. Both men see that they need each other against Pompey. They strengthen their bond by arranging Antony’s marriage to Caesar’s sister, Octavia. Antony’s close friend Enobarbus predicts that Antony will go back to Cleopatra in spite of the marriage.

In Egypt, Cleopatra hears of the marriage and becomes jealous. She regains her confidence when she learns that Octavia poses no threat to her place in Antony’s heart. Meanwhile, the triumvirs settle with Pompey without a battle and agree to let him rule Sicily and Sardinia. At the feast to celebrate the truce, one of Pompey’s men proposes a plot to assassinate the triumvirs, but Pompey rejects it.

Caesar Breaks the Truce

Antony and Octavia leave for Athens, and Caesar breaks the truce at once. He defeats Pompey, accuses Lepidus of treason and imprisons him. Rumours of Caesar’s public criticism anger Antony. Octavia pleads for peace between her brother and her husband, yet Antony, furious, returns to Egypt to raise an army against Caesar.

Defeat at Sea and Enobarbus’s Desertion

The conflict grows into a naval battle, and Antony’s forces lose. He blames Cleopatra because he believes she betrayed him and never loved him as she claimed. Ashamed, the pair ask Caesar for mercy. Caesar rejects Antony’s plea but promises Cleopatra a fair hearing if she betrays Antony. While Cleopatra considers the offer, Antony accuses her of treachery and condemns her in a fit of anger. Later, he forgives her.

The situation gets worse when Enobarbus, Antony’s loyal supporter, defects to Caesar’s camp. He feels he can no longer serve a man whom love for Cleopatra has made weak.

A Brief Victory and the Death of Enobarbus

Antony meets Caesar’s forces in battle and wins an unexpected victory. When he learns that Enobarbus has deserted, he sadly blames his own misfortune for corrupting an honourable man. In remorse, he sends Enobarbus’s belongings to Caesar’s camp and returns to Cleopatra to celebrate his win. Enobarbus, overwhelmed by shame for his disloyalty, dies of guilt.

Antony’s Death

In the next naval battle, Antony suffers another defeat because the Egyptian fleet abandons the fight. Convinced that Cleopatra betrayed him, he vows to kill her. To protect herself, Cleopatra hides in her monument and sends out a false report that she has killed herself. Grief-stricken, Antony wants to join her in death. He orders his loyal attendant, Eros, to keep his promise of obedience and kill him. Eros chooses loyalty over the order and kills himself instead.

Antony then tries to take his own life but survives, and his men carry him to Cleopatra’s monument. The lovers share a brief reunion before he dies.

Cleopatra’s Death

Caesar captures Cleopatra and plans to display her in Rome. She defeats his plan and kills herself with poisonous snakes. In death, she lies beside Antony.

Continue Reading

• Antony and Cleopatra Characters and Character Analysis
• Antony and Cleopatra Themes
• Antony and Cleopatra Act 1 Summary and Analysis
• Antony and Cleopatra Study Guide and Essay Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Antony and Cleopatra about?

The play follows the love affair between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Their relationship pulls Antony away from his duties in Rome, leads to war with Octavius Caesar and ends with both lovers dead.

How does Antony and Cleopatra end?

Antony takes his own life after he hears a false report of Cleopatra’s death, and he dies in her arms. Cleopatra then kills herself with poisonous snakes rather than become Caesar’s captive. She is laid to rest beside Antony.

Why does Enobarbus leave Antony?

Enobarbus believes Antony has grown weak because of his love for Cleopatra. He can no longer serve him, so he joins Caesar’s camp. Shame over this disloyalty later kills him.

Is Antony and Cleopatra a tragedy?

Yes. Both central characters fall from great power because of their own weaknesses, and both die at the end.