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758 reviews for:
Antony And Cleopatra: An Extraordinary Tale of fiction Drama By William Shakespeare (Annotated)
William Shakespeare
3.56 AVERAGE
758 reviews for:
Antony And Cleopatra: An Extraordinary Tale of fiction Drama By William Shakespeare (Annotated)
William Shakespeare
3.56 AVERAGE
medium-paced
I'm just so underwhelmed by this play. There is exactly one compelling character in this play and her name is Cleopatra. But even that is difficult, because she's compelling in an ahistorical way. There's so much about the actual Cleopatra that is fascinating, and none of that is really in this play. Shakespeare's Cleo is man obsessed to the point of being politically incompetent. She's still really interesting to watch, but it feels like a loss to not have gotten a better portrayal of her.
Everyone else is boring. I can't believe this same man wrote Antony in Julius Caesar. I do get that the point is that time has changed him and he's less politically astute now, but jeez. He's not even interesting to watch. I just really didn't care about anyone, so I didn't care when people won / lost / died. There's nothing about these characters that really sticks with me.
Also, good god, they really dragged Antony's death out, and then on top of that there's still a whole act left. (And did we need to drag out her death with the worm guy????) It just feels like there's too much going on in this play. It could have used cutting down a bit.
It's funny that Shakespeare likes to make the adversary character cry when the person they were at war with dies. It's a staple and I always find it funny. It felt a little more natural with Antony and Brutus than Octavian and Antony. Also lowkey I feel like Shakespeare hates Augustus. He always makes him the most dull character possible.
The Globe, 2014
Everyone else is boring. I can't believe this same man wrote Antony in Julius Caesar. I do get that the point is that time has changed him and he's less politically astute now, but jeez. He's not even interesting to watch. I just really didn't care about anyone, so I didn't care when people won / lost / died. There's nothing about these characters that really sticks with me.
Also, good god, they really dragged Antony's death out, and then on top of that there's still a whole act left. (And did we need to drag out her death with the worm guy????) It just feels like there's too much going on in this play. It could have used cutting down a bit.
It's funny that Shakespeare likes to make the adversary character cry when the person they were at war with dies. It's a staple and I always find it funny. It felt a little more natural with Antony and Brutus than Octavian and Antony. Also lowkey I feel like Shakespeare hates Augustus. He always makes him the most dull character possible.
The Globe, 2014
This one wasn't bad, but I didn't love it the way I've loved watching others. It's just a really long play, and the Globe can't really change that (without cutting a lot). Eve Best as Cleopatra was great. I also liked Charmian. Everything else was just fine. They did what they could to make the rapid scene changes interesting, at least.
Wow....i did NOT understand most of this. I think i need to see Shakespeare performed instead of reading it. In an opera of this this year so perhaps there i will understand what is going on
Mid @ best. I’m sorry Shakespeare, but this was BORING and I could not make myself care to slow down. I don’t even care to go to Shmoop or something and pick up on what I missed.
Maybe I will add half a star because the innuendos were good. I’ll give you that.
Sorry!
And of course, the only good and loyal and true characters are dead. Classic.
Maybe I will add half a star because the innuendos were good. I’ll give you that.
Sorry!
And of course, the only good and loyal and true characters are dead. Classic.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I really enjoyed Julius Caesar that’s why I picked up Antony and Cleopatra in the first place but it somehow was very hard to get through and it didn’t quite match the genius of JC in my opinion. The play also put me in a reading slump and it took me way longer than usual to finish it. Maybe watching a performance would help me to enjoy it more. I did like the character of Octavia a lot and also Cleopatra’s jealousy was unintentionally (?) funny- her stalking Octavia wanting to know exactly what she looks like and then completely raging and wanting to kill the messenger because he told her Antony had married-she is indeed a queen haha
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2023 Shakespeare Complete works challenge
#37 - [b:Antony and Cleopatra|104837|Antony and Cleopatra|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347795799l/104837._SY75_.jpg|717119]
Read - 10/26/23 - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
——————————————————-
An observation I have after this re-reading: “Is Three Company?”. The triumvirate of Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus seemed to be doomed from the start. Antony seemed to have his focus on everything but the Empire and he and Octavius never really got along. This play is emotional and dramatic with the ending war and Antony’s fall. I do enjoy this play. Cleopatra is a larger than life historical figure and her as a character shines through in the action of this historical drama.
A good way to finish up my reading of [b:The Complete Works of William Shakespeare|764563|The Complete Works of William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371515067l/764563._SY75_.jpg|3000541]
Original review below:
Another Shakespeare play that I really enjoyed. 4 stars.
Antony and Cleopatra is more or less a sequel to Julius Caesar. The Roman Empire is under a triumvirate of Octavius Caesar (Julius’ grand nephew and adopted son), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. Octavius and Antony are rivals that Lepidus has to act as the go between.
As if managing the empire wasn’t hard enough, Antony forgets the “bro code” of “pals before gals” (to put it nicely
#37 - [b:Antony and Cleopatra|104837|Antony and Cleopatra|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347795799l/104837._SY75_.jpg|717119]
Read - 10/26/23 - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
——————————————————-
An observation I have after this re-reading: “Is Three Company?”. The triumvirate of Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus seemed to be doomed from the start. Antony seemed to have his focus on everything but the Empire and he and Octavius never really got along. This play is emotional and dramatic with the ending war and Antony’s fall. I do enjoy this play. Cleopatra is a larger than life historical figure and her as a character shines through in the action of this historical drama.
A good way to finish up my reading of [b:The Complete Works of William Shakespeare|764563|The Complete Works of William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371515067l/764563._SY75_.jpg|3000541]
Original review below:
Another Shakespeare play that I really enjoyed. 4 stars.
Antony and Cleopatra is more or less a sequel to Julius Caesar. The Roman Empire is under a triumvirate of Octavius Caesar (Julius’ grand nephew and adopted son), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. Octavius and Antony are rivals that Lepidus has to act as the go between.
As if managing the empire wasn’t hard enough, Antony forgets the “bro code” of “pals before gals” (to put it nicely
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes