Antony and Cleopatra

Messengers from Rome arrive to brief Antony on Rome's political affairs. Cleopatra persuades him to listen, despite his initial indifference, highlighting the political stakes behind their personal romance.

Proculeius informs Antony that Fulvia has died after a rebellion with his brother Lucius Antonius against Octavius. The loss deepens Antony's sense of duty and complicates his bond with Cleopatra as Rome's civil strife intensifies.

In Rome, Octavius tells Lepidus that Antony has abandoned his responsibilities. Lepidus defends Antony's weaknesses, and the two agree to raise an army against Sextus Pompey to restore balance.

Antony travels back to Rome to mend relations with Octavius. Agrippa suggests that Antony marry Octavia, Octavius's sister, to seal the alliance and stabilize their shaky partnership.

The triumvirs meet Sextus Pompey and offer him control of Sicily and Sardinia on the condition he drives out pirates and pays tribute. After brief hesitation, Pompey accepts. The leaders toast aboard Pompey's galley in a drunken celebration.

Back in Egypt, Cleopatra is enraged to learn of Antony's marriage to Octavia and strikes the messenger. She then sends a messenger to witness the union in Rome and report back on Octavia's appearance.

While in Rome, Antony asks a soothsayer whether his fortunes will rise or fall. The soothsayer predicts Octavius's rise and counsels Antony to keep his distance.

Antony returns to Egypt and reunites with Cleopatra. The couple crowns Cleopatra and himself as coregents of Egypt, reinforcing their personal bond and political partnership.

Octavius moves against Antony and dictates that Lepidus be disposed. He declares war on Antony, tightening the wedge between the former allies and setting the stage for open conflict.

The Battle of Actium begins with a sea clash between fleets. Enobarbus urges Antony to fight on land, but Antony bets on sea power with Cleopatra's fleet. Cleopatra's ships fight with Antony, but her fleet withdraws and Antony's forces are left vulnerable, leading to a defeat.

On the eve of battle, Antony seeks a truce via a soothsayer, but Octavius refuses. Thidias is sent to Cleopatra to urge her to switch sides. Cleopatra flirts with the messenger, provoking Antony's anger, but he ultimately forgives her.

As Antony's forces falter, Enobarbus abandons the army and dies by falling from a cliff. Antony denounces Cleopatra for betrayal, and Cleopatra retreats to a monument, foreshadowing her own doom.

Antony pleads for death as his wounds bleed, but Eros declines to kill him and impales himself instead. Antony then kills himself with his sword, dying in despair as he returns to Cleopatra's side.

Octavius arrives in Alexandria and demands Cleopatra's surrender. Cleopatra attempts suicide but is prevented; when at last she yields, she dies by an asp as her handmaidens Charmian and Iras die with her. Octavius decrees that Cleopatra will be buried next to Antony.