Antony, one third of the Roman world, keeps choosing Egypt and Cleopatra over duty and Rome — or failing to choose, which chooses for him. The play sprawls across the Mediterranean in dozens of short scenes, alternating Roman marble with Egyptian excess.
Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s richest female role: vain, brilliant, theatrical, and finally magnificent. The verse is late-period Shakespeare at full stretch — opulent, elastic, occasionally showing off. A tragedy that somehow leaves you exhilarated.
Antony and Cleopatra on screen
1Antony and Cleopatra (1972)
Film · dir. Charlton Heston
Heston directs and stars
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Mark it in your record when you finish — one seat, kept for decades.