antony and cleopatra

7/21/2019 Antony and Cleopatra

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Who was Cleopatra VII?Who was Cleopatra VII?

Born in Alexandria, then capital of Egypt inBorn in Alexandria, then capital of Egypt in69 BC69 BC

Parents: Father Pharaoh, Ptolemy XII, akaParents: Father Pharaoh, Ptolemy XII, akaAuletes or “Flute Player” and her motherAuletes or “Flute Player” and her motherwas probably Auletes’s sister Cleopatra Vwas probably Auletes’s sister Cleopatra VTryphaena (it was common place forTryphaena (it was common place formembers of the Ptolemaic dynasty tomembers of the Ptolemaic dynasty tomarry their sibilings)marry their sibilings)

Cleopatra had several siblings: elder sister,Cleopatra had several siblings: elder sister,Cleopatra VI; elder sister Berenice; youngerCleopatra VI; elder sister Berenice; younger

sister, Arsinoe and two younger brotherssister, Arsinoe and two younger brothers both called Ptolemy. both called Ptolemy.

Cleopatra’s family was not truly Egyptian,Cleopatra’s family was not truly Egyptian,they were Macedonian which is Greek.they were Macedonian which is Greek.



Cleopatra’s Early LifeCleopatra’s Early Life

Cleopatra’s father dies in 51 BCCleopatra’s father dies in 51 BC

Cleopatra and her brother PtolmeyCleopatra and her brother PtolmeyXIII are left the throne.XIII are left the throne.

Cleopatra was not particularlyCleopatra was not particularly beautiful but was very intelligent. beautiful but was very intelligent.

She spoke 9 languages includingShe spoke 9 languages includingEgyptian. She was the first PtolemyEgyptian. She was the first Ptolemy

Pharoh every to speak Egyptian.Pharoh every to speak Egyptian.

Cleopatra rules for 3 years on herCleopatra rules for 3 years on herown until her brothers advisers exileown until her brothers advisers exileher to Syria .her to Syria .



Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar



Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar

While Cleopatra was in exile Julius Caesar was vying againstWhile Cleopatra was in exile Julius Caesar was vying againstPompey for control of the Roman Empire. Pompey went toPompey for control of the Roman Empire. Pompey went toAlexandria to seek protection from Ptolemy, but his advisers foundAlexandria to seek protection from Ptolemy, but his advisers foundit safer to side with Caesar.it safer to side with Caesar.

Pompey arrived in Alexandria ahead of Caesar he was stabbed toPompey arrived in Alexandria ahead of Caesar he was stabbed todeath while Ptolemy watched.death while Ptolemy watched.

When Caesar arrived, Ptolemy thought it would please him toWhen Caesar arrived, Ptolemy thought it would please him topresent him with Pompey’s head.present him with Pompey’s head.

Caesar was not amused and immediately took control of the Palace.Caesar was not amused and immediately took control of the Palace.

He called for Ptolemy and Cleopatra to come together and he wouldHe called for Ptolemy and Cleopatra to come together and he wouldsettle their dispute and restores Cleopatra to the Egyptian Throne.settle their dispute and restores Cleopatra to the Egyptian Throne.



Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar Immediately upon meeting her Caesar wasImmediately upon meeting her Caesar was bewitched by her and they became lovers bewitched by her and they became loversthat night.that night.

Even though Caesar and Cleopatra wereEven though Caesar and Cleopatra werelovers, she married her brother Ptolemy.lovers, she married her brother Ptolemy.

She was about 17 he was 12.She was about 17 he was 12. She later gave birth to a son Caesarion orShe later gave birth to a son Caesarion or“Little Caesar”“Little Caesar”

In 44 BC Caesar was killed, Rome was inIn 44 BC Caesar was killed, Rome was inturmoil and Cleopatra returned to Egyptturmoil and Cleopatra returned to Egyptwith her son. Her brother/husband diedwith her son. Her brother/husband diedshortly after their arrival, it is believed byshortly after their arrival, it is believed bypoisoned at her hands.poisoned at her hands.



Mark AntonyMark Antony

Born Marcus Antonius in 83 BC inBorn Marcus Antonius in 83 BC inRome.Rome.

Father died at an early age, leavingFather died at an early age, leavinghim and his brothers with his motherhim and his brothers with his mother Julia. He was 2nd cousin of Julius Julia. He was 2nd cousin of Julius

Caesar.Caesar.

With very little guidance, they wereWith very little guidance, they wereconsidered rebels for their time.considered rebels for their time.

By the age of 20 he was heavily inBy the age of 20 he was heavily indebt and fled to Greecedebt and fled to Greece

After a short time studying inAfter a short time studying inAthens he became a member ofAthens he became a member ofCaesar’s army.Caesar’s army.



Mark AntonyMark Antony

Mark Antony ultimately becameMark Antony ultimately becameCaesar’s “Master of the Horse”, hisCaesar’s “Master of the Horse”, hisright hand man.right hand man.

After Caesar’s death Mark AntonyAfter Caesar’s death Mark Antony

set out for Egypt.set out for Egypt.

He wanted Cleopatra for Egypt’sHe wanted Cleopatra for Egypt’swealth and she wanted him for thewealth and she wanted him for theRoman Armies under his control.Roman Armies under his control.

Mark Antony was married 4 times.Mark Antony was married 4 times.

His last marriage was to Octavia,His last marriage was to Octavia,sister of Octavian who later Ruledsister of Octavian who later RuledRome and was known as AugustusRome and was known as Augustus



Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra

They meet nearly 3 years after Julius Caesar’s death.They meet nearly 3 years after Julius Caesar’s death.

Antony Summons Cleopatra to Tarsus to discuss her possibly funding his enemies.Antony Summons Cleopatra to Tarsus to discuss her possibly funding his enemies.

She arrives on a lavishly gilded barge with Purple sails and dressed as Venus.She arrives on a lavishly gilded barge with Purple sails and dressed as Venus.Antony is so enthralled that he spends the winter in Alexandria and forgets about hisAntony is so enthralled that he spends the winter in Alexandria and forgets about hisresponsibilities.responsibilities.

6 months after Antony returns to Rome, Cleopatra gives birth to twins.6 months after Antony returns to Rome, Cleopatra gives birth to twins.

(http://www.Royalty.nu/Africa/Egypt/Cleopatra.html)



Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra

They do not see each other for 4They do not see each other for 4years, once they reunite they remainyears, once they reunite they remaintogether and marry even thoughtogether and marry even thoughAntony is still married to Octavia..Antony is still married to Octavia..

Cleopatra and Antony live a lavishCleopatra and Antony live a lavishlifestyle and name themselves aslifestyle and name themselves asgods.gods.

The people Rome are outraged byThe people Rome are outraged bytheir behavior and war is called ontheir behavior and war is called on

Egypt.Egypt.

When Octavian arrives the EgyptianWhen Octavian arrives the Egyptianarmy joins forces with him.army joins forces with him.



Mark Antony’s DeathMark Antony’s Death

After being defeated and felt of being betrayed by his consuming love forAfter being defeated and felt of being betrayed by his consuming love forCleopatra, he falls on his sword and eventually dies on her bed.Cleopatra, he falls on his sword and eventually dies on her bed.

After a royal burial for Mark Antony, Cleopatra was determined to die.After a royal burial for Mark Antony, Cleopatra was determined to die.



Cleopatra’s DeathCleopatra’s Death

Because she no longerBecause she no longerwanted to live, Octavian hadwanted to live, Octavian hadguards watching over her.guards watching over her.Being very clever she had anBeing very clever she had anAsp placed into a basket ofAsp placed into a basket offigs that was beingfigs that was beingdelivered.delivered.

She wrote a note to OctavianShe wrote a note to Octavian begging to be buried in begging to be buried inMark Antony’s tomb.Mark Antony’s tomb.

By the time he received theBy the time he received thenote and arrived she wasnote and arrived she wasalready gonealready gone

As she wished, she wasAs she wished, she was buried beside Mark Antony buried beside Mark Antonyand last Pharoh of Egyptand last Pharoh of Egypthad reignedhad reigned



Probably the mostWidely recognizedPortrayal of CleopatraWas by Elizabeth

TaylorIn 1963.



Shakespeare’s take on HistoryShakespeare’s take on History

Antony and Cleopatra was veryAntony and Cleopatra was veryhistorically correct concerninghistorically correct concerningmost of the political battles thatmost of the political battles thatoccurred during the 10 yearoccurred during the 10 yearperiod this was meant to portray.period this was meant to portray.

Shakespeare’s primary source forShakespeare’s primary source forinformation was from Plutarch’sinformation was from Plutarch’sLives of the Noble Grecians andLives of the Noble Grecians andRomansRomans, which was translated by, which was translated bySir Thomas North in 1579.Sir Thomas North in 1579.

Many passages were quotedMany passages were quoteddirectly from this text withoutdirectly from this text withoutchange.change.



Shakespeare’s EmbellishmentsShakespeare’s Embellishments

Cleopatra was portrayed as very strong,Cleopatra was portrayed as very strong,extremely beautiful and irresistible.extremely beautiful and irresistible.

Octavius Caesar views the Pharaoh and QueenOctavius Caesar views the Pharaoh and Queenof Egypt as little more than a dramatic whore.of Egypt as little more than a dramatic whore.

Antony, while a Roman Hero was portrayed asAntony, while a Roman Hero was portrayed as

totally blinded by love .totally blinded by love .

Octavia is portrayed as a healer of sorts betweenOctavia is portrayed as a healer of sorts betweenthe two men, Antony and Octavius Caesar.the two men, Antony and Octavius Caesar.



CharactersCharacters

Mark Antony – Roman general andMark Antony – Roman general and

one of the three joint leaders, orone of the three joint leaders, or

"triumvirs", who rule the Roman"triumvirs", who rule the Roman

Republic after the assassination ofRepublic after the assassination of ulius Caesar in !! #C# ulius Caesar in !! #C#

$ctavius Caesar – another triumvir$ctavius Caesar – another triumvir

%epidus – another triumvir%epidus – another triumvir

Cleopatra – &ueen of 'gyptCleopatra – &ueen of 'gypt

antony and cleopatra

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