Play description

ACT I

Scene 1. Mark Antony, together with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, is one of the three triumvirs who

rule the Roman Empire. But Antony is slavishly in love with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and shows

no interest in affairs of state.

Scene 2. Members of Cleopatra's entourage amuse themselves consulting a soothsayer. Antony learns

that his wife Fulvia, who has been in rebellion against Caesar, is dead. Forces opposed to the

Triumvirs are having considerable success and he finally realizes that he must leave Egypt.

Scene 3. Antony tells Cleopatra that he intends to return to Rome.

Scene 4. Caesar is angered by Antony's behavior and will not be mollified by Lepidus. News floods

in of their enemies' growing strength.

Scene 5. Cleopatra languishes in Antony's absence.

ACT II

Scene 1. Pompey, the Triumvirs' principal enemy, is disturbed to hear of Antony's return to Rome.

Menas remains optimistic that the insurrection of Antony's brother and wife has soured his relations

with Caesar, but Pompey foresees that divisions will be forgotten in the face of an external enemy.

Scene 2. A tense meeting between Caesar and Antony is smoothed over by Lepidus and Agrippa, who

suggest that Antony marries Caesar's sister Octavia. Enobarbus, Antony's trusted lieutenant,

remembers Antony's first meeting with Cleopatra; he is sure that Antony will never leave her.

Scene 3. A soothsayer tells Antony that he cannot shine when Caesar is near. He decides to return to

Egypt.