William Shakespeare – Antony and Cleopatra Lesson Note
Week 2
This SS3 Literature lesson note covers William Shakespeare – Antony and Cleopatra for First Term, Week 2.
Lesson Note
Week 2
Sub-topic: Reading and Summary – Act 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Explain the major events in Act 1 of Antony and Cleopatra.
2. Identify the major characters introduced in Act 1.
3. Give a clear summary of the scenes in Act 1.
4. Explain the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra.
5. Discuss the major issues presented in Act 1.
6. Explain the importance of Rome and Egypt in Act 1.
INTRODUCTION
In the previous lesson, we introduced William Shakespeare and his play, Antony and Cleopatra. In this lesson, we are going to begin the actual reading and study of the play, starting with Act 1.
Act 1 introduces us to the major characters and the major conflict in the play. We meet Mark Antony, a powerful Roman leader, and Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. We also begin to see the tension between Antony's love for Cleopatra and his responsibilities as a Roman leader.
ACT 1, SCENE 1
The play opens in Alexandria, Egypt, at Cleopatra's palace. Two of Antony's followers, Demetrius and Philo, are discussing Antony's behaviour.
They are disappointed because Antony, who is supposed to be a powerful Roman soldier and leader, is behaving more like a lover. They believe that Cleopatra has captured Antony's attention so much that he has forgotten his responsibilities in Rome.
Antony and Cleopatra then enter. Cleopatra asks Antony whether he truly loves her. Antony assures her that his love for her is greater than anything that can be measured.
Their conversation shows that they are deeply in love with each other. However, Antony receives news from Rome that requires his attention.
He learns that important political matters are taking place in Rome, and he must return to deal with them. Antony is therefore faced with a problem: should he remain with Cleopatra or return to Rome to perform his duties?
Importance of Scene 1
This scene introduces the major conflict between:
Love and Duty; Antony loves Cleopatra, but he is also expected to perform his duties as a Roman leader.
The scene also introduces the contrast between Rome and Egypt.
ACT 1, SCENE 2
In this scene, Cleopatra is not present. Antony's followers discuss the situation in Rome and the problems facing Antony.
Antony receives information that Fulvia, his wife, has died. He also learns that there is a political conflict involving Sextus Pompey and that Rome needs his attention.
Antony realises that he cannot continue staying in Egypt without dealing with the problems in Rome. He decides that he must leave Cleopatra and return to Rome.
Importance of Scene 2
This scene reminds us that Antony is not simply Cleopatra's lover.
He is also a Roman leader with political and military responsibilities. It also introduces some of the political problems that will become important later in the play.
ACT 1, SCENE 3
Cleopatra becomes aware that Antony is preparing to leave Egypt. She is not happy about his decision.
Cleopatra uses different methods to make Antony feel guilty about leaving her. She questions his love and tries to convince him that he does not truly care about her.
Antony explains that he must return to Rome because of the political situation. He promises Cleopatra that he will return. Cleopatra continues to express her unhappiness, but Antony eventually leaves.
Importance of Scene 3
This scene shows Cleopatra's emotional and dramatic nature. It also shows how strongly Antony is influenced by Cleopatra.
Most importantly, it continues the conflict between Antony's love and his duty to Rome.
ACT 1, SCENE 4
The scene shifts to Rome. Octavius Caesar is discussing Antony's behaviour.
Caesar is angry that Antony has abandoned his responsibilities and is spending his time in Egypt with Cleopatra.
He describes Antony's behaviour as irresponsible and un-Roman. Caesar is particularly concerned because Rome is facing serious political problems.
Importance of Scene 4
This scene introduces us to Caesar's attitude towards Antony.
It also shows that Antony's relationship with Cleopatra is not simply a private matter. His behaviour is affecting his political reputation and relationship with Rome.
ACT 1, SCENE 5
The scene returns to Egypt. Cleopatra is thinking about Antony and discussing him with her servants.
She misses Antony and wants to know what he is doing. A messenger arrives with news concerning Antony.
Cleopatra continues to show her strong emotional attachment to him. The scene emphasises how important Antony is to Cleopatra.
MAJOR CHARACTERS IN ACT 1
1. MARK ANTONY
Antony is presented as a powerful Roman leader who is deeply in love with Cleopatra. However, he is divided between his personal feelings and his responsibilities.
His characteristics in Act 1; Loving, passionate, powerful, emotional, responsible and easily influenced.
2. CLEOPATRA
Cleopatra is the Queen of Egypt and Antony's lover. She is passionate and emotionally attached to Antony. She also knows how to influence Antony through her words and actions.
Her characteristics in Act 1; Emotional, passionate, intelligent, dramatic, manipulative and affectionate.
3. OCTAVIUS CAESAR
Caesar is Antony's political rival. He is disciplined and serious about Roman affairs. He criticises Antony for neglecting his responsibilities in Rome.
His characteristics in Act 1; Ambitious, disciplined, serious, political and strategic.
4. PHILO
Philo is one of Antony's followers. He is concerned about Antony's behaviour in Egypt. He believes Antony has allowed his love for Cleopatra to weaken his position as a Roman leader.
5. DEMETRIUS
Demetrius is also one of Antony's followers. He joins Philo in expressing concern about Antony's behaviour.
MAJOR ISSUES IN ACT 1
1. LOVE VERSUS DUTY
This is the most important issue introduced in Act 1. Antony loves Cleopatra, but he also has responsibilities to Rome.
He must leave Egypt to deal with political problems. This conflict between his heart and his responsibilities becomes one of the central issues of the entire play.
2. POLITICAL POWER
Act 1 introduces the political situation in Rome.
Antony, Caesar and other Roman leaders are concerned about maintaining their power and dealing with threats to Rome.
3. CLEOPATRA'S INFLUENCE
Cleopatra has a strong influence over Antony.
She knows how to use her emotions and words to affect his decisions.Her influence is one reason why some Romans believe Antony is becoming less disciplined.
4. ROME VERSUS EGYPT
The two settings represent two different ways of life. Rome represents duty, discipline, politics and responsibility.
Egypt represents love, pleasure, luxury and freedom.Antony is caught between these two worlds.
CONTENT SUMMARY OF ACT 1
Act 1 introduces the major conflict and characters in the play. Antony is in Egypt with Cleopatra, and his Roman followers are concerned about his behaviour.
Antony receives news that problems are developing in Rome and realises that he must return. Cleopatra is unhappy about his decision and tries to make him remain with her.
Meanwhile, Caesar is angry with Antony for neglecting his responsibilities. The act therefore establishes the conflict between Antony's love for Cleopatra and his responsibilities as a Roman leader.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
Students should remember the following points from Act 1:
1. The play begins in Alexandria, Egypt.
2. Antony is deeply in love with Cleopatra.
3. Antony's followers are worried about his behaviour.
4. Antony receives news that he must return to Rome.
5. Fulvia's death is reported.
6. Cleopatra is unhappy that Antony wants to leave.
7. Caesar criticises Antony's behaviour.
8. The contrast between Rome and Egypt is established.
9. The conflict between love and duty is introduced.
10. Act 1 prepares the audience for the political and personal conflicts that follow.
LESSONS FROM ACT 1
Act 1 teaches us that:
1. Personal feelings can sometimes conflict with responsibilities.
2. Leaders must take their responsibilities seriously.
3. Love can strongly influence people's decisions.
4. Political power can affect personal relationships.
5. People should be careful when allowing emotions to influence important decisions.
6. Different people may view the same situation differently.
Evaluation
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
Read the extract below carefully and answer Questions 1–10.
CLEOPATRA: If it be love indeed, tell me how much.
ANTONY: There’s a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it.
What should I say?
CLEOPATRA: If you find him sad, say I am dancing; if in mirth, report that I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.
ANTONY: ’Tis well thou’rt gone, if thou hast done this deed.
What, say you? Hence,
This is the way to leave him.
1. The speaker of the first line is ______.
(a) Octavia
(b) Cleopatra
(c) Charmian
(d) Iras
2. Cleopatra’s question, “tell me how much,” is directed to ______.
(a) Octavius Caesar
(b) Enobarbus
(c) Mark Antony
(d) Lepidus
3. The extract reveals Cleopatra as a woman who is ______.
(a) completely indifferent
(b) playful and demanding
(c) timid and submissive
(d) cold and emotionless
4. Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra in Act I is presented as ______.
(a) purely political
(b) romantic and passionate
(c) hostile and violent
(d) formal and distant
5. Cleopatra’s behaviour towards Antony suggests that she enjoys ______.
(a) testing his affection
(b) fighting Roman soldiers
(c) ruling Rome
(d) avoiding Antony
6. The setting that is strongly associated with Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship in Act I is ______.
(a) Alexandria
(b) Athens
(c) Rome
(d) Philippi
7. One major conflict introduced in Act I is the conflict between Antony’s love for Cleopatra and his ______.
(a) desire for education
(b) responsibilities in Rome
(c) friendship with Pompey
(d) hatred for Egypt
8. Antony is described by the Roman characters as having become ______ because of Cleopatra.
(a) more disciplined
(b) less committed to Roman duties
(c) more powerful
(d) completely independent
9. The dominant theme reflected in the extract is ______.
(a) love and passion
(b) poverty and suffering
(c) education and ambition
(d) justice and revenge
10. The extract is significant to the development of the play because it establishes ______. (a) Antony’s death
(b) the love relationship between Antony and Cleopatra
(c) Caesar’s marriage to Cleopatra
(d) the defeat of Egypt
THEORY QUESTIONS
1. Give a detailed summary of Act 1 of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra.
2. Discuss the conflict between love and duty as presented in Act 1.
3. How does Shakespeare present Cleopatra in Act 1?