What is the through line of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra?

I saw this, Jake, but I’m not that familiar with Antony and Cleopatra. Sorry!

I’m sorry, Jake. My knowledge of Shakespeare is neither broad nor deep. It consists mainly of a lot of Hamlets and Macbeths and less than half of the rest. Antony and Cleopatra is one of the ones I haven’t seen or read. (I’ve seen Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra, though.)

There must be a great deal of critical and theatrical commentary to draw upon, however. I hope you can find what you need.

I would review the history of Mark Antony before he arrived in Egypt; he was a complicated and devious guy.

“Augustus; a Novel,” by John Williams, covers the saga of all the top Roman guys, including Mark Antony until his death. It is a useful and interesting read and will give you a foundation for Shakespeare’s story.

I too haven’t read it in years. And cannot help but think of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, which is not very helpful.

Jake, sweetie… I would have to put in some proper work with this one because it isn’t one I regularly seek out to watch or have read more than once. If you want some inspiration, I suggest you go see Josh Whedon’s ‘Much Ado’ at a cinema near you, if you can find it. I love Josh and he is a true lover of the Bard’s language and he does what he can to cast actors who share the love. Watch for how the nuances of the language are brought out and used by the actors. What might seem a flat expose line to one actor, can be delivered with poignant irony and self-deprecation that brings out a subtle humour in the character the audience will identify with. Every phase is alive with meaning and there are gems that will sparkle when delivered with the right brilliance. OMG… I am such a nerd/geek, but to me… a well executed Shakespearian act is as satisfying as a 5 course meal.

Thank you, all. I’m gorging myself on the play and all the information I can find right now. I am enjoying myself at it as well.

I am going to rely heavily on the text itself, for I am a firm believer the Bard tells us exactly what he wishes to see in the play through the words. I love his verbs. They reveal so much about the characterizations and the plot.

I have read Harold Bloom’s criticism of the play in his book Shakespeare: The Making of the Human. I will also probably dabble in some other older critics such as Dr. Johnson and maybe Hazlitt and Coleridge.

Still, my main source for inspiration will be the first folio text, previous versions of other Shakespearean plays I’ve seen, and my own imagination and desires. I want the language to soar at the center of the spectacle.

I’m imagining an ensemble cast with lots of double casting, a minimalist set and costumes and sound, and also lighting to direct the scene changes. I have seen entire Shakespearean plays done with no cuts by a cast of just 5 actors before (I will probably be cutting some of this play, however). I have directed actors in other authors’ plays doing multiple roles, and I relish it. Getting an actor to seamlessly switch from one believable role to another in a breath takes my breath away.

It’s a play which, at it’s heart, depicts the fragility of men at the seductive, intoxicating behest of the female. Despite what’s at stake, the power they wield, the empire they command, women hold the ultimate weapon when it comes to affairs of the heart.
Eve seduced Adam, Delilah took Samson’s strength away & was it not beauty who slayed the beast in the tale of King Kong?
Yup, when all’s said & done it’s women who hold all the aces & us blokes are simply butter in their hands…which is nice.