Writers, playwrights and philosophers have alike been fascinated by Shakespeare’s Cleopatra. The contradictions in her character, said the writer Anna Jameson, fuse into one brilliant impersonation of classical elegance, Oriental voluptuousness, and gipsy sorcery. There are two obvious reasons, says Adrian Poole, why the play has enjoyed a great leap in popularity and interest since the early 20th century. One is changing attitudes to gender and sexuality, and the relaxing of some of the taboos impeding the liberation of women from the confinements and distinctions in force at least since the Restoration. The other is changing conceptions of theatre. The advent of cinema encouraged lighter, swifter and more flexible forms of staging. One can scarcely think of a Shakespeare play that benefits more from such a liberation.

“Clear, elegant and authoritative guides – worthy of the great masterpieces they analyse.”

Robert Harris

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. A summary of the plot
3. What is Antony and Cleopatra about?
4. Who is Cleopatra?
5. How does Cleopatra beguile Antony?
6. Why does Cleopatra call Antony “Herculean”?
7. What does Antony mean to Caesar?
8. Why does Caesar sacrifice his sister?
9. What does Caesar feel for his sister?
10. Why does Caesar get so angry with his sister?
11. How is Cleopatra’s theatre different from Caesar’s?
12. Why does Shakespeare make so much of Enobarbus?
13. How do you earn “a place in the story”?
14. What’s special about the play’s language?
15. What happens to Antony after Actium?
16. Is Cleopatra’s death too beautiful?
17. Does it still make sense to think of the play as a tragedy?

Relevant to pupils studying:
- Edexcel A Level, CIE

About The Author

Adrian Poole is Professor of English Literature and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He has written extensively on Shakespeare and tragedy, including Shakespeare and the Victorians (Arden, 2003) and Tragedy: a Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2005). He is co-editor of the series Great Shakespeareans in 18 volumes (Continuum, 2010–13).

About Connell Guides

Connell Guides are a series of 75 study guides to great literature and key historical events. The books are written by top academics from leading universities, and provide in-depth analysis of A Level and GCSE texts, helping students engage deeply with literature by encouraging independent thought and demystifying complex concepts - presenting them in clear, accessible terms.

Brilliant for students looking to widen their contextual and critical understanding of a text, discover niche 'wow-factor' points for essays and coursework, or simply brush up on their knowledge. They’re the perfect level-up for A Level / GCSE revision, and an excellent introduction to university study. Jam-packed with information you won’t find anywhere else.