All Acts and Scenes - Scene-by-scene plot summary
Act 1
Scene 1
Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt
Philo and Demetrius discuss Antony’s foolish obsession with Cleopatra, saying he’s abandoned his military mind for love.
Antony and Cleopatra appear; Antony declares his love is beyond measure.
A messenger arrives with news from Rome, warning Antony he must attend to political matters (orders from Caesar and Fulvia).
Antony refuses to leave Cleopatra, saying love is more important than Rome or power.
Cleopatra comments on Antony’s infatuation and his neglect of duty.
Philo and Demetrius reflect on Antony’s behaviour and hope he will act more responsibly tomorrow.
Key points: Antony prioritizes love over duty; his obsession with Cleopatra is central; Rome and politics are in the background.
Scene 2
Cleopatra’s court, fortune-telling
Cleopatra’s attendants (Charmian, Iras, Alexas) meet a soothsayer to predict their fortunes.
Charmian’s playful and ambitious; wants exaggerated good fortune; Iras is more practical.
They mock the soothsayer and each other, showing Cleopatra’s court as light-hearted and indulgent.
Enobarbus comments on Cleopatra’s dramatic passions and Antony’s weakness under her influence.
Antony arrives, still torn between duty and desire; he learns Fulvia (his Roman wife) is dead, giving him reason to leave Egypt.
Antony begins planning to return to Rome, acknowledging he must break free from Cleopatra’s influence to handle Roman affairs.
Key points: Cleopatra’s court is playful and theatrical; Antony is emotionally trapped by love; Fulvia’s death sets up his political return to Rome.
Scene 3
Love, Jealousy, and Duty
Cleopatra anxiously asks where Antony is and sends Alexas to find him without revealing her concern.
Charmian advises Cleopatra on how to behave with Antony, warning her not to push him too far, but Cleopatra dismisses the advice.
Antony arrives; Cleopatra pretends to be ill and emotionally manipulative, expressing jealousy and accusing him of potential betrayal.
Antony explains he must leave Egypt because of political matters in Rome—civil unrest, Sextus Pompeius threatening the empire, and the death of his wife Fulvia.
Cleopatra struggles with her emotions, oscillating between jealousy, grief, and affection, but ultimately wishes him well.
They perform a mutual display of love, wit, and controlled emotion before Antony departs, emphasizing their deep connection despite separation.
Key points:
Cleopatra’s emotional manipulation and charm are on full display.
Antony balances personal love and political duty.
The scene sets up tension between love and responsibility that drives the plot.
Scene 4
In Rome, Octavius Caesar talks with Lepidus about Antony, complaining about his behaviour in Egypt:
He calls Antony as manly as Cleopatra, and Cleopatra as womanly as Antony
Lepidus responds to defend Antony, saying his “evils” do not “darken all his goodness”
Octavius continues to complain, frustrated that they must deal with political and military problems whilst Antony indulges himself in Egypt
A messenger enters and brings news that Pompey has grown strong at sea:
Pompey appears to be gaining support from people who were once afraid of Octavius
A second messenger brings news that pirates are also gaining strength at sea
Octavius and Lepidus agree to meet the next day to discuss what to do about Pompey
Scene 5
The scene takes us back to Egypt, with Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian
Cleopatra asks for Charmian to bring her mandragora to drink, in the hope she can sleep until Antony returns
As Cleopatra talks of Antony and other lovers of her past, Alexas enters with a gift and message from Antony
She talks about how she loves him more than she did Julius Caesar, then chastises Charmian for complimenting Caesar
She calls for ink and paper, planning to write to Antony every day
Act 2
Scene 1
Pompey appears for the first time, discussing the problems in Rome, and how they may come to his advantage:
He says Antony is distracted by Egypt, Octavius takes wealth from his people, and Lepidus has no loyalty to either man
Menas warns that Octavius and Lepidus are in the field and have an army of “mighty strength”
Pompey dismisses this, claiming he knows that they are in Rome waiting for Antony, but hopes that Antony will stay in Egypt under the control of Cleopatra
At that moment, Varrius enters to bring news that Antony is on his way to Rome
Pompey shows surprise that Antony has left, and concern that his army is double that of his allies
Scene 2
In Rome, Lepidus and Enobarbus speak ahead of a meeting between Octavius and Antony
Antony enters with Ventidius, and then Octavius with his friends Agrippa and Maecenas
Octavius is angry about Antony’s time in Egypt, and that Antony’s wife and brother took up war against him in Rome
Antony defends himself, saying that his brother did not consult him, and that his wife was causing drama to blight his stay in Egypt
Agrippa comes up with a solution to the disharmony of the alliance: Antony could marry Octavia, Octavius’ sister, bringing them together as brothers:
Antony and Octavius agree
It is also agreed they must take up arms against Pompey before he comes for them
Scene 3
Antony tells Octavia that his business will sometimes lead him away from her, to which Octavia tells him she will pray for him whilst he is away
Octavius and Octavia leave, and a soothsayer enters:
He tells Antony to return to Egypt and, after questioning, tells him that Octavius’ fortunes will fare better than his
He warns Antony that he should not compete with Octavius, saying, “If thou dost play with him at any game/Thou art sure to lose”
Antony decides to return to Egypt
Scene 4
Lepidus, Agrippa and Maecenas prepare to fight Pompey
Scene 5
In Egypt, Cleopatra spends idle time with her servants, joking that she may go fishing and pretend that each fish she catches is Antony
A messenger comes from Italy, and reveals that Antony has married Octavia:
Cleopatra is furious, and reacts violently
Scene 6
Octavius, Lepidus and Antony meet with Pompey in an attempt to find a truce
They discuss the offer of compromise that has been sent in letters prior to this meeting:
Pompey may retain Sardinia and Sicily, if he rids the sea of pirates and sends wheat in tribute to Rome
Pompey agrees to their terms, preventing war and dividing up Rome’s territories under their power
Pompey proposes a celebration on his boat
Scene 7
On Pompey’s boat, the men are enjoying a grand feast
Menas tells Pompey he could kill Lepidus, Octavius and Antony now and take power for himself
Pompey dismisses the idea:
He refuses the plan as it is dishonourable, and tells Menas to forget about it
Act 3
Scene 1
The scene begins with Ventidius, fresh off a military victory in Parthia, talking with a soldier named Silius, the dead body of Pacorus before them
Silius suggests they should continue, and pursue the remaining Parthians through to Mesopotamia:
Ventidius declines, saying he has done enough for a man of his rank and does not want to catch unwelcome attention
Scene 2
Agrippa and Enobarbus are in Rome, at the home of Octavius, discussing Octavia:
She does not want to leave Rome
Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia enter, with Octavius claiming he is sad to see his sister leave with Antony
He asks that Antony ensures that his marriage to Octavia brings them closer together
Scene 3
In Egypt, a messenger speaks to Cleopatra and Charmian
He reports back that Octavia is shorter than Cleopatra, older, is widowed, has a low voice, lacks elegance, and has a round face
Cleopatra is pleased, rewarding the messenger with gold
Scene 4
Antony and Octavia are together at Antony’s house in Athens
Antony complains about Octavius, annoyed that he has “waged / New wars ‘gainst Pompey”
He is also upset that Octavius has not spoken of him when addressing the public
Octavia is torn between her brother and her husband, so Antony sends her back to Rome to make peace
Antony decides to raise an army in the meantime
Scene 5
In a different area of Antony’s home, Eros tells Enobarnus that Octavius and Lepidus have fought and defeated Pompey, but Octavius took all of the credit, pushing Lepidus out
Enobarbus suggests that now, in the wake of this, there is a chasm of power that both Antony and Octavius could fight for
Scene 6
Octavius complains that Antony has established a kingdom in Egypt, showcasing himself and Cleopatra on golden chairs in public view, and declared Cleopatra queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Lydia and Syria:
He is also furious that Antony has declared his sons “the kings of kings” and given them territories
Antony has publicly accused Octavius of not giving him his share of territories and land after the conquering of Pompey, and is unhappy at the treatment of Lepidus
Octavius says he will not give Antony his share until he, Octavius, receives part of conquered territories in Armenia
Octavia arrives and enters:
She comes to ask for pardon for Antony
Octavius responds, telling her that Antony has gone back to Cleopatra
Octavius claims he has not yet fought with Antony out of respect for her, but is now readying for war in response to his treatment of her
Scene 7
Enobarbus and Cleopatra argue about her being with them in battle:
Enobarbus believes there is no place for her
Cleopatra dismisses this idea and says she will be there
Antony and his commander Canidius enter
Antony is adamant he will meet Octavius at sea, but is warned against it first by Canidius and then Enobarbus:
Antony ignores their advice, committing to fighting at sea even as he is advised that he will be outmatched
A soldier enters and begs that they do not fight at sea
Antony is stubbornly insistent, almost casually so, and leaves with Cleopatra and Enobarbus
Scene 8
By contrast, in nearby Actium, Octavius gives very specific orders to his commander Taurus, making sure that his armies do not fight on land before they have fought at sea
Scene 9
Back with Antony and Enobarbus, Antony commands Enobarbus to send soldiers to a hill to count the ships in Octavius’ navy
Scene 10
The navies battle at sea
Enobarbus cries out in despair as Antony flees the battle
Scarus enters, and describes to Enobarbus the state of the fight, saying it was even until Cleopatra suddenly fled, and Antony chose to follow her:
Both are disgusted by Antony’s act
Canidius enters, saying they have lost, with Antony’s navy following their leader and fleeing:
He is going to surrender himself to Octavius
Enobarbus resolves to continue supporting Antony, even though he thinks it a bad idea
Scene 11
Now at Cleopatra’s palace, Antony is ashamed of his conduct after fleeing the battle
He implores his watching attendants to leave him, to take some of his treasure and go “make your peace with Caesar”
Cleopatra enters and begs that he forgive her for fleeing, claiming she did not expect him to follow:
He tells her that she knows he is bound to her, claiming that his heart is tied to her
Antony decides to offer “humble treaties” and surrender to Octavius:
He now understands that his relationship with Cleopatra has weakened him
Scene 12
An ambassador for Antony arrives at Octavius’ camp:
Antony surrenders and pleas to be left to live out his days in either Egypt or Athens as a “private man”
Cleopatra, too, begs for mercy, submits “to thy might”
Octavius refuses Antony, but will allow Cleopatra to live, so long as she either kills Antony or drives him out of Egypt
After the ambassador leaves, he calls Thidias to him, and tells him to go to Cleopatra and promise her whatever she wants to turn against Antony
Scene 13
Antony enters with his ambassador, discussing Octavius’ reply:
He is angered by it, and sends back his ambassador with a counter: to face off in a duel, just the two of them
Enobarbus does not believe Octavius will be foolish enough to give away his advantages to meet in a duel
Thidias arrives and tells Cleopatra that Octavius believes she never loved Antony, just feared him, and forgives her for this:
She agrees that she did not give her honour, but that it was conquered
Cleopatra surrenders to Thidias
As she kisses Thidias’ hand, Antony re-enters with Enobarbus and is angered:
He orders servants to take Thidias away and whip him
Antony then turns his anger to Cleopatra, shouting at her, claiming she has played with his love
Antony asks Cleopatra if she would betray him for Octavius, and she says she would rather her and her children die
This raises Antony’s spirits, convinced by her love, and he decides to meet Octavius on land for battle
Enobarbus decides to leave Antony’s service
Act 4
Scene 1
Octavius ridicules Antony’s challenge to a duel
Caesar directs his officers to prepare for the final conflict to end Antony
Scene 2
At Cleopatra’s palace, Enobarbus informs Antony that Octavius will not fight him alone, as he has 20 men to every one of Antony’s
Antony says he will fight him “by sea and land” and will live or die with honour:
Enobarbus says he fight alongside him
Scene 3
Elsewhere in the palace, a group of soldiers talk, awaiting the battle
They hear music, which they believe is coming from “under the earth”:
They interpret this as a sign that Hercules, the patron deity of Antony, is abandoning him
Scene 4
The next day, the day of the battle, Eros puts on Antony’s armour
He kisses Cleopatra goodbye before leaving with Eros and soldiers for
Charmian and Cleopatra are alone, and Cleopatra wishes that Octavius had agreed to the duel rather than this battle
Scene 5
At his military camp, Antony is informed by a soldier that Enobarbus has left, and has deserted him for Octavius
Antony orders his “chests and treasures” left behind to be sent on to him, with a letter that shows his sadness that Antony’s bad fortunes have “corrupted honest men!”
Scene 6
At Octavius’ camp, Octavius commands Agrippa to begin battle, claiming “universal peace is near”
He orders that those who deserted Antony be put in the front lines, so that Antony’s men will be forced to face people they know
Enobarbus laments his betrayal of Antony, feeling those who betrayed him have not been treated well by Octavius
Then his treasure arrives, sent by his former leader:
Enobarbus is left regretting his decision even more than he did
He decides not to fight Antony, but instead find some “ditch wherein to die.”
Scene 7
Agrippa and the soldiers with him are forced to retreat
After they exit, in come Antony with Scarus, who is wounded
Eros enters and tells them that they are victorious
Scene 8
In Alexandria, Antony celebrates with his soldiers
Cleopatra enters, and Antony tells her of the victory, and of Scarus’ honour in battle:
Cleopatra promises armour made of gold to honour him
Antony goes on to say that they will march through Alexandria to celebrate
Scene 9
Back inside Octavius’ camp, Enobarbus repents for deserting Antony:
He speaks with much woe, begs for Antony’s forgiveness, then faints and dies
Scene 10
Antony speaks proudly and powerfully about fighting Octavius’ army:
He prepares to fight them at sea once more
Scene 11
Octavius too prepares for battle, and looks to meet Antony by sea
Scene 12
With battle due to commence, Antony and Scarus look out at sea from a high vantage point:
Scarus speaks of the swallows that have appeared in Cleopatra’s sails and built nests
He says the “augurs” are saying they do not know what this omen means, and he feels that they are too scared to speak their “grim” knowledge
Antony returns, and is angered that Cleopatra has betrayed him again:
Octavious has defeated Antony’s fleet, and have joined with him
He believes this is Cleopatra’s doing, calling her “this false soul of Egypt”
Cleopatra enters, wondering why Antony is so mad
He says that Octavius will imprison her and have her humiliated on public display in the parade celebrating his victory
She leaves, and Antony says that it would have been better had Cleopatra died, as it would have saved the lives of his men
Scene 13
At the palace, Cleopatra complains that Antony is mad
Charmian suggests she go to her already built monumental tomb and lock herself inside:
They will tell Antony she is dead
She agrees, and asks Mardian to tell Antony that she has committed suicide, and the last word she spoke was his name
Scene 14
Antony continues to blame his defeat on Cleopatra, reasoning he never loved her:
Mardian enters and argues against that, saying Cleopatra does love him
He then tells Antony that Cleopatra has killed herself, and uttered “Antony! Most noble Antony” as her final words
Antony laments alone, and decides he will end his own life too, to be together in the afterlife
He calls Eros back, and asks Eros to stab him so he can be with her:
Eros makes him turn around, so that he does not have to look him in the face and do it, but after saying farewell to him, Eros instead stabs himself
Antony then stabs himself, but fails to kill himself outright
A servant of Cleopatra, Diomedes, then enters and tells Antony that Cleopatra is alive and locked inside her monument
Antony calls for his guards and asks them to carry him to Cleopatra
Scene 15
At the tomb, Cleopatra insists to Charmian that she will never leave
Diomedes enters, and she delivers the news of Antony’s near-death condition
Antony is carried in by guards, and Cleopatra despairs:
Antony is proud that he has done this to himself, rather than being killed by Octavius
Cleopatra says she will die with him, rather than be taken prisoner, but Antony tells her to “seek your honour, with your safety” with Octavius
Cleopatra tells them that this is not possible as “they do not go together”
Antony tells Cleopatra to remember him as “the greatest prince o’ the world”
Antony dies, and Cleopatra faints, but then regains consciousness
She orders that he be buried “after the high Roman fashion”
Act 5
Scene 1
Octavius sends demands for Antony’s surrender:
Dercetas returns, and tells him that Antony is dead, by suicide
Octavius is saddened by the news, and Agrippa and Maecenas agree with him that he was an honourable man, even as an enemy
An Egyptian messenger enters: Cleopatra wants to know Octavius’ intentions with her:
He says he will show her mercy
After sending the Egyptian away, he tells one of his men to go to Cleopatra, and to promise her good treatment, so that she does not kill herself
He wants to show her off in Rome as part of his victory parade
He asks others to come with him to his tent, to see the letters he sent to Antony that show he was forced and “drawn into this war”
Scene 2
At the tomb, Cleopatra resolves to die
Octavius’ messengers arrive, and Cleopatra says she will surrender if Octavius allows her son to take over as ruler of Egypt:
Roman soldiers enter secretly and seize her
Cleopatra draws a dagger to kill herself, but Proculeius disarms her
After Proculeius leaves, Dolabella confirms Octavius’ intentions to use her as a prisoner to show off his victory
Octavius enters:
He tells her that she will benefit if she surrenders, but threatens that suicide will leave her children at risk of harm
Cleopatra tells Iras and Charmian that she feels Octavius is trying to stop her achieving a noble death
Dolabella returns to tell her that the plan is to take her and her children to Syria in three days
She sends Charmian and Iras to get her crown and best clothes, so that she looks her best to meet Antony in death
Determined to defeat Octavius’ plans, Cleopatra welcomes a “rural fellow” who delivers a basket of figs containing asps, poisonous snakes that kill
Dressed in her crown and royal robes, Cleopatra lets a snake bite her:
She dies calling out “O Antony!”
Octavius arrives and acknowledges Cleopatra’s royal determination in choosing death
He concludes the play by ordering her to be buried by Antony, uniting the “pair so famous”