The Major Theme of Dryden's All for Love

As she was one of the most powerful women of her time, she was almost immediately assumed as a seductress by the people. Once when Cleopatra was confirmed dead, the romans cheered that it was the only right thing that she had done referring to her suicide. Along with her death, the roman civil wars too came to a halt. As history persists, from a roman point of view Cleopatra had ‘enslaved’ both Caesar and Antony. She made them agree to what she had on mind and achieved success for both her and her empire.

Cleopatra did not agree with Octavian there for another battle was held in 30 BC. Octavian’s army had defeated Mark Antony’s army very fast which lead him to give up hope. It wasn’t long after the battle he found out from a report that Cleopatra had passed away (Grant, 2000, p.223). This led him to killing himself because he could not bear a world without her. He found out shortly after from two of Cleopatra’s servants that it was a false report and he demanded to see Cleopatra at once (Grant, 2000, pg. 223).

She faked her death to get him to come back to her, because she didn’t want to left in the hands of another ruler who couldn’t treat her like she wanted to be treated, the ruler was named Octavian. Mark killed himself with his sword. Cleopatra only way out the situation was death. She committed suicide, her death was planned, she allowed a poison snake to bite her in the chest and she died, nobody really knows exactly what happened, but researchers say she killed herself.

Cleopatra joins forces with Roman leader Marc Antony. (softschools.com). Cleopatra gave birth to Antony’s children Alexander and Cleopatra, and three years later they got married. In 36 B.C. cleopatra gave birth to Antony’s child Ptolemy Philadelphus. Then in 32 B.C. Octavian declared war on Cleopatra. Antony’s army lost against Octavian army and Cleopatra doubts Antony’s abilities to protect her. (softschools.com) Octavian tells Cleopatra that he will make a deal with her to protect her if she kills Antony .Cleopatra didn’t want to kill Antony so she tricks him.(softschools.com) When Antony hears a rumor that Cleopatra died he fell on his sword and later died in 31 B.C., but not before hearing Cleopatra was alive.

Following Caesar's assassination, which Cleopatra's presence in Rome may have provoked, Cleopatra had an affair with another Roman leader. Marc Antony was planning a campaign in Parthia and was in desperate need of money when he called upon Cleopatra to question why she had allied herself with some of Rome’s enemies. Antony’s need for money proved to be a lucky break for her. Plutarch claimed that Cleopatra went to this meeting deliberately scheming to seduce Antony and some even claim that she purposefully broke up the alliance between Antony and Octavian. Cleopatra's belief that Caesarion would be accepted as Caesar's heir if she was successful in eradicating Octavin may support this claim. At this meeting Cleopatra requested for Antony to take control of her troubled territory in Cyprus. She also

While Octavius became popular with the populace, Antony was falling back into destation. Morey (1901), stated that Octavius did not do anything but bided his time waiting for Antony to slip up. Romans have suspected that Antony was making treasonable acts with his army and frequent visits to Egypt meeting Cleopatra. This was deemed true as the Romans saw this as treason and demanded Octavius to war with Antony. Octavius appealed to the Romans that they should war against Cleopatra than Antony. Instead of the foreign war against Egypt, this was a civil war against Antony. Antony knew what this war was directed at, so he separated himself from Octavius and declared himself an enemy of Rome (Morey, 1901).

Historically, the action of Antony and Cleopatra takes place over a ten-year span, whereas in the play the story is compressed to fit the needs of the stage. Antony is clearly much older than he was in Julius Caesar, and his political instincts

I understand that this is a very emotional time for Antony and that he feels very strongly about avenging his

Love throughout history has been considered an enigma with an emphasis on emotions such as compassion and appreciation; nevertheless as with most beneficial substances it is subject to fundamental flaws. Modern society is abundant in gossip, scandal, and misconception, all factors that ruin a legitimate relationship. William Shakespeare’s, Othello is a typical and most perfect tragedy that depicts a prevailing relationship midst blood, violence and revenge. The protagonist, Othello undergoes a transformation from a happy man to a disturbed beast as suspicion of his wife’s faithfulness to lieutenant Cassio intensifies. False rumors intentionally sprouted by good, trusty friend Iago bring about catastrophe as Othello jumps to conclusion and

On September 2, 31 B.C., Octavian’s forces soundly defeated those of Antony and Cleopatra in the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra’s ships abandoned the battle and fled to Egypt, and Antony soon managed to break away and follow her with a few ships. With Alexandria under attack from Octavian’s forces, Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra had committed suicide. He fell on his sword and died just as news arrived that the rumor had been false.

While their original friendship started out at a political meeting, it was later formed into one of the greatest love stories of all times. According to The Ancient World, "the political significance of this meeting was underscored by the establishment of a personal relationship that would capture the imagination of subsequent generations" (Wildin 75). Antony began to pursue Cleopatra, and they quickly fell in love. He left his current wife Octavia for Cleopatra, which caused the Roman citizens to question if he was a good leader and always doing the right thing. According to an article found on Antony, it says that "Antony wanted funds and supplies from Egypt to assist him in his conflict with the Parthians, and Cleopatra longed to restore the original boundaries of the Ptolemaic kingdom", ("Mark Antony" 2). They used each other for benefits and quickly became an unstoppable team. As described in The Ancient World, "there was now no retreating from their personal and political alliance: politics and love became one." (Wildin 75). Antony even had a ceremony where Cleopatra was given the title the "Queen of Kings" and their kids received titles as well (Mark Antony 2).

Cleopatra VII Cleopatra VII, better known as just Cleopatra, was the last Pharaoh to rule Egypt during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which was the last dynasty of Egypt. She is renowned throughout history as being a lover of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, two of the most famous Romans in history. Cleopatra was not just a pretty face; she was cunning, brave and smart, having fought in several wars and using her wiles to gain allies and power, as well as being well educated. A combination of these elements are what makes Cleopatra one of the most renowned and recognised Egyptian Pharaoh in history. Cleopatra was the last of the Ptolemaic Dynasty to rule Egypt; the last Pharaoh ever to rule Egypt before the Romans officially conquered it in 30

Though Cleopatra is guilty of being disloyal, she also falls victim to some acts of betrayal and loyalty throughout the play. Cleopatra in fact, feels as though Marc Antony in the beginning of the play- or at least feels has betrayed her as though Marc Antony will show minimal loyalty to her. Cleopatra expresses these feelings in a conversation with Marc Antony:

The following study is based on the plays Antony and Cleopatra which is written by William Shakespeare and All for Love which is written by John Dryden. Both writers are the most prominent playwrights in the history of English literature. We can see that both writers through their respective works have focused on the relationship between two prominent characters of the ancient world- Marc Antony, who was a Roman ruler and Cleopatra- who was considered the most beautiful woman in the world and who was also the queen of Egypt.

Even though Antony departs this life deeming himself a man of reverence,