Antony and Cleopatra

Egypt and Rome are set up as opposite societies in the play. How is each one depicted, and what is the significance of each? Does Shakespeare seem to portray one society as better or worthier of victory, or is there ambiguity in the portrayal of both?

When Antony and Cleopatra was originally performed, all roles would have been played by male actors, with the character of Cleopatra being portrayed by a younger boy. How might that context change your view of the treatment of gender transgression throughout the play? How does the play explore notions of masculinity and femininity more generally?

Antony often feels torn between his private passion for Cleopatra and his public duties as a Roman general. How does the play explore the tensions between private desires and public roles and expectations?

Discuss how race and ethnicity is portrayed in Antony and Cleopatra. When do characters use language about race and how do they describe racial differences? How does racialized language illuminate conceptions of “East” and “West” in the play?

Analyze the motif of fortune throughout the play. What is the relationship between agency and destiny? Does one play a greater role than the other in determining the play’s events? Why or why not?

Explore the role of death in the play. How does death appear, both literally and figuratively? How does it shape the play in terms of narrative, characterization, and/or its key themes?

Compare Cleopatra to Octavia. What does each female character reveal about the role and status of women in their respective societies? How does each one respond to, and attempt to influence, the masculine-driven events of the play?

Both Antony and Octavius Caesar are generals and leaders, but they have different leadership styles. How does each man conceive of leadership and power? In what ways are they different or similar to one another in terms of their leadership?