Cleopatra

Also known as: Royal Egypt · Family: Egypt · Role: Egypt’s queen · First appears: Antony and Cleopatra · Act I, Scene I

Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, begins in courtship with Mark Antony, whose devotion she measures against his promises: “There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned.” At Alexandria, she employs Alexas, Charmian, and Mardian, calls for her patron Enobarbus, and challenges Mark Antony over his former ties to Fulvia. When he prepares to leave for Rome, she remains bound to him, receiving his pearl and his promise that the East will call her mistress. She also recalls her courtship of Julius Caesar and describes Sextus Pompeius as a former suitor.

At the meeting on the river of Cydnus, Cleopatra overwhelms Mark Antony with her lavish appearance and hospitality. She employs Alexas to investigate Octavia, while her ties to Mark Antony grow into a contest of pursuit and possession. After Mark Antony publicly enthrones her and grants her Egypt, lower Syria, Cyprus, and Lydia, she is named parent of Alexander, Ptolemy, and Caesarion; Alexander and Ptolemy receive kingdoms, while Caesarion remains associated with her royal house. Cleopatra declares enmity toward Herod and Octavius Caesar, and when Mark Antony gives his empire to her, she assembles eastern kings for war. She refuses to stay behind, and at Actium Mark Antony follows her fleeing fleet, later forgiving her and reconciling with her.

When Octavius Caesar demands that Cleopatra abandon or kill Mark Antony, she submits to his power and offers to lay her crown at his feet, though she later rejects his protection. She arms Mark Antony with Eros and sends him into battle, rewards Scarus with golden armor, and orders Mardian to report falsely that she has died. Mark Antony believes her betrayal and threatens her, but Diomedes reveals the truth; after Mark Antony’s death, Cleopatra resolves to bury him and pursue death in the Roman fashion. She remains a rival of Octavia, whom she denounces, while Charmian, Iras, and Eros attend her; she also employs Diomedes, Dolabella, and Seleucus, her treasurer.

Under Octavius Caesar’s guard, Cleopatra learns she and her children will be taken to Rome for his triumph. After Seleucus reveals that she retained wealth, Octavius Caesar permits her to keep it, but she obtains an asp rather than be paraded in Rome: “My resolution’s placed, and I have nothing / Of woman in me.” Iras dies after bidding her farewell, Cleopatra kills herself with the asp, and Charmian dies beside her. Octavius Caesar orders Cleopatra buried beside Mark Antony and commands a solemn funeral before returning to Rome.