Deep Dive: Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra, a relatively late play by Shakespeare, is a powerful work that stands out for its complexity and scope as well as for the challenge it presents to norms of tragedy. In this class we will engage in a close reading of the text, supplemented by passages from Plutarch, including the life of Antony and the passages from the life of Julius Caesar describing Cleopatra (via handout) and with historical background. We will focus on the play's use of history, it's presentation of the politics of middle-aged love and intertwined political ambition, and the ways in which it subverts the audience's expectations. We will use the Norton Critical Edition of the play. Please read the Plutarch passages (on Canvas) and Acts 1 and 2 for the first class.

Course Outline

Course Syllabus

Notes

Online registration closes August 29 at 5 pm CT.

All Graham School courses use Canvas to distribute files and announcements. You will receive an invitation to join Canvas about a week before your course begins. Remote courses require you to login to Canvas to access the Zoom Classroom. Please visit the Liberal Arts Remote Learning Resources page to find step by step instructions for Canvas and Zoom.