The Tragedy of Anthony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Antony and Cleopatra is definitely one of #Shakespeares lesser known works, but it was the play that fit best in my schedule. Being in the famous #Globe was pretty cool, but next time I‘m gonna splurge for a seat. Someone actually fainted next to me when they carried out the dying Antony. I guess they couldn‘t deal with the fake blood 🫣.

#london #holiday #travel

LiteraryinPA Yikes! I was there once and I also didn‘t have a seat. It was so hot and when I sat on the ground (even though I couldn‘t see well that way), the usher came and yelled at me. So yes, if I go again I will get a seat too! 3mo

Cuilin Oh, I did standing inonce there too, and had the worst backache. I will definitely splurge for a seat next time too. 3mo

Kitta I stood through Hamlet there once, it was 4 hours! I will definitely also spurge for a seat next time. 3mo

julesG Had Groundling tickets for The Tempest once. It was tough. Had been touring the city since early morning and three hours plus just standing around gave me terrible backache, and it was drizzling the whole time. But, it's an experience. 3mo

thewallflower0707 @julesG oh god, I was really happy with the warm weather and that the play is one of the shorter ones. That sounds very tough. 3mo

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LindaLappin

The Tragedy of Anthony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

“Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch / Of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space. / Kingdoms are clay; our dungy earth alike / Feeds beast as man. “

a more romantic declaration has never been uttered. #SavvySettings Day 10. #River, @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverof books

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 💙 3y

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 3y

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Graywacke

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

so-so

When I read Shakespeare‘s most famous tragedies I usually feel there an aspect of reflection, even as the action carries on. I had trouble finding that in all craziness going on here. I tell myself it will be better next time I read it, that then I‘ll be able to spend more time wondering about the doomed pair. Maybe. (But of course, then I won‘t have the #shakespearereadalong with me. )

GingerAntics

GingerAntics The action in this one seemed quite disjointed. It was certainly hard to do much reflecting with this one. I‘m sure we‘ll reread this play at some point. 4y

Graywacke @GingerAntics I think if I reread, I would be have most of the twists already in mind, so I could focus on the expression. I think it would help. 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke exactly! This one most definitely needs more than one read. The first one is almost like being on a roller coaster with no safety bar. You‘re just holding on for dear life, hoping to keep up. 4y

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batsy

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

When we were going to start this for #ShakespeareReadAlong the bookshops were closed & I couldn't wait for a copy to be delivered in time from Book Depository, so I used a digital copy. I struggle a lot with reading Shakespeare digitally because I need those annotations & paper copies are best. Now that we've finished the play & shops are open again, this is of course the first thing I see in the exact edition I wanted 😂 @erzascarletbookgasm

GingerAntics 🤣😂🤣 that sucks. It‘s like it could see you put the window of the store and just couldn‘t get to you, and you were on the outside and it could see you, but you couldn‘t get to it. 🤣😂🤣 4y

batsy @GingerAntics Yes exactly 😂😂😭 4y

GingerAntics You poor star crossed book lover. I‘m so sorry. 4y

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batsy @GingerAntics 🤣 Think my tragic story is fit for a 5-act play? 4y

GingerAntics Absolutely!!! I think we would all read that!!! 4y

BrieHive I love that cover art! 4y

batsy @BrieHive It's very striking 👍🏽 4y

erzascarletbookgasm 🙄😆 Where is this? Do they have LLL? I didn‘t order from BD knowing it will reach me months later. I‘ll probably read it digitally again. 4y

batsy @erzascarletbookgasm MPH in Mid Valley. I didn't get one but they had about 2-3 copies I think. Sadly no LLL 😭 My copy shipped from BD on May 1 and it's still not here 🙃 4y

Graywacke Book stores ... swoon. You‘ve convinced to go all Signet with Shakespeare. That‘s my go to edition (at least until libraries reopen) 4y

batsy @Graywacke Swoon indeed 💕 I owe my abiding loyalty to the Signet editions to my intro to Shakespeare professor 😁 4y

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erzascarletbookgasm

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

I caught up on the book but missed the National Theatre performance. Quite a lot happened here and there..that led to the fall of a Kingdom, the rise of an Empire; complicated love affair; betrayal; war and politics..some fairly long scenes too. The ambitious and enchanting Cleopatra throws tantrums (those scenes were 🙄) and Antony‘s actions are conflicting. Interesting play, thanks to the insightful discussions. #Shakespearereadalong

batsy Yup! So much going on. I call it my "what?! what??! WHAT????!" play ? 4y

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

This is between a pick and a so-so for me.

The underlying story of Caesar pulling the strings and his power play is far more interesting than the supposed love story. Both Antony and Cleopatra act like teenagers toward each other. I‘m not entirely convinced they‘re actually in love. She‘s constantly throwing tantrums and he‘s so wishy washy. I couldn‘t really stand either. I was, quite frankly, glad they both died at the end. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics This play frequently gets compared to Romeo & Juliet, but I honestly feel that play is more interesting. I just wanted Cleopatra to stop screaming at everyone and having people beaten for no good reason, and I wanted Antony to grow a bloody pair. This Antony and Cleopatra are far less intriguing than the real A&C. Sorry Shakes. #Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong 4y

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Not as impressed with this ending as I usually am with endings to the tragedies. One last tantrum from Cleo before she attempts to kill herself and accidentally kills one of her ladies, then kills herself with some snakes. I suppose you gotta do what you gotta do. I see the parallels with R&J, but still not impressed with either.
Thoughts? Reflections?
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong
@merelybookish @graywacke

GingerAntics @readinginthedark @batsy @Lcsmcat @TheBookHippie @Sunraven @Trashcanman @IamIamIam @ladyneverwhere @erzascarletbookgasm @MoonWitch94 @catebutler @CoffeeNBooks @jewright @saresmoore @rabbitprincess @Balibee146 @IndoorDame @kathedron @Mtroiano @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MrsMalaprop @Gezemice @readordierachel 4y

GingerAntics @Melismatic @Sace @teainthelibrary @Susannah @kristenm @slategreyskies @Panic70 @Carolyn11215 @Alliterati @Kristy_K @Liz_M @Daisey @mhillis @Wife @wanderinglynn @Jess_Read_This @Linsy @MellieAntoinette @Yoshi-and-a-book @mollyrotondo @greenreads 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It was interesting, even more interesting after I listened to the author of Cleopatra‘s biography the other day....so much of it was wrapped up in politics and storytelling and myth building, which might be it reads weird or over dramatic/over the top to us now. 4y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Let me add the link here, just in case anyone else is interested in that... https://youtu.be/2kMaK6oqlrU 4y

Graywacke I‘m currently reading North‘s Plutarch at the back of my Signet edition. I think I liked this act best of the all in the play, or maybe I‘ve adapted to the play. Finally reached the famous line “Antony/ Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see/ Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness/ I'th' posture of a whore” (boy being a verb and reference to the boy actors playing women in the bard‘s day). Needs a reread. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa And yes, I could definitely see the parallels now with R&J, a fake or miscommunication of death, leads to a suicide, and then the other dies to join them.....although in this case it might have been more to avoid the being paraded through Rome part. 🤷‍♀️ 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I see it in the immaturity of the relationship as well, but I‘m the minority in that one. I just don‘t see A&C‘s behaviour very mature. If someone acted that way now, I‘d get as far away from them as possible. That is some high school love affair drama right there. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Read straight, it‘s annoying and makes her look silly...now through the history eyes I read it as great propaganda...weak silly woman lead mighty Anthony astray and to his death, that will play better in Rome, puts the blame on Cleo instead of Octavius ....and she dies by the symbol of Egypt. And hey, they are both gone, so no one will side with them and either Caesar‘s son or Anthony‘s children leaving the way clear for Octavius. (edited) 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics I think the whole immaturity spin was to make them both diminish and increase Octavius claims. Again, the legend was the propaganda after they were gone. History written by the victors and all that Jazz. 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I get the propaganda angle, and I certainly see that. Shakes has written strong women before, rejecting history and his own modern ideas of women and womanhood. I can‘t go as far as looking at this as history, as it‘s nowhere near the truth, I would imagine. It‘s complete propaganda, I would imagine. I look forward to reading about the real Cleopatra in June. 4y

Lcsmcat Moving away from the relationship of A & C, did it strike anyone else that, the character left to sum it up at the end was Caesar? In other tragedies a minor character takes that role. Was this a comment on Caesar? Or just that he is the one that was left? 4y

Melismatic Agree 100% about the propaganda angle — this last act made me actually appreciate her more as this felt calculated to protect her legacy (and meet Antony in the afterlife) as opposed to earlier when she “faked” her death to gauge Antony‘s reaction). 4y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat that‘s a very good point. Maybe because he was the one left and the one who knew the most “sides” as it were to give a fuller picture? I‘m going to have to think about that now. 4y

CoffeeNBooks This wasn't one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. The relationship between Antony and Cleopatra really annoyed me with all of their drama. 4y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat Was it kind of his game all along - pulling the strings? Is he taking his bow? (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks exactly!!! 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke oh, that‘s an angle on it. That very well could be. He was behind all of it from the beginning. That sounds very plausible. 4y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke That is a fair point. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke I think that is it, I‘m looking forward to reading Cleopatra‘s biography next month, but the author of it (in the interview I posted above) even hinted that her death MAY have been orchestrated/encouraged by Octavius, she may have been too sympathetic a figure to parade through Rome, and as the mother of Julius Caesar‘s son the tide may not have gone his way. So yes, this whole tale was his, the victor writes the tale, and took his bow

Cleopatra: A Life

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it‘s all about gaining and maintaining power...in that sense, this play perfectly followed Julius Caesar then. I can‘t wait to read that book now. 4y

mollyrotondo @Graywacke yes! I believe that Octavius was pulling the strings the entire time, but I didn‘t pick up on that until halfway through the play so I definitely think I would have to reread this one. But yes, @Lcsmcat I think he speaks at the end to show that he was the master this entire time. 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Lcsmcat @GingerAntics @mollyrotondo North‘s Plutarch has this line early on: “he yielded himself to go with Cleopatra into Alexandria, where he spent and lost in childish sports (as a man might say) and idle pastimes the most precious thing a man can spend, as Antiphon saith, and that is, time.” 👇👇 (edited) 4y

Graywacke The implication is that Antony lost it all early on in Alexandria. He lost the time he needed and the rest was up to Octavius. In other words, it‘s over in the first lines of the play. (I should add “maybe” a few times in there) 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke @mollyrotondo that changes the whole play. If Octavius was behind the scenes the whole time, and Antony isn‘t in control of the situation from the beginning, that completely changes the tone of the entire play. I think that‘s probably the case, too. Now I want to reread this play. Crap. 4y

Graywacke @GingerAntics 😂 (I sense I need to reread it, and that I‘ll appreciate more once I‘ve digested the wacky story and can instead think more about the performance and the language.) 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke I do feel like I‘ve been entirely distracted by the madness of A&C and the wacky story (perfect way to describe it). Perhaps it would be clearer another time around. 4y

merelybookish Oh dear, I fell behind. 🙈 But I will announce the schedule for Love's Labour Lost soon! 4y

GingerAntics @merelybookish I know how you feel. The only thing I‘m up to date on is this read. It‘s been a crazy few weeks. 4y

Graywacke From A C Bradley‘s 1909 essay at the back of the Signet edition: “The ﬁrst of living soldiers, an able politician, a most persuasive orator, Antony nevertheless was not born to rule the world. He enjoys being a great man, but he has not the love of rule for rule‘s sake. Power for him is chieﬂy a means to pleasure. The pleasure he wants is so huge that he needs a huge power, but half the world, even a third of it, would suffice. 👇👇 4y

Graywacke He will not pocket wrongs, but he shows not the slightest wish to get rid of his fellow triumvirs and reign alone. He never minded being subordinate to Julius Caesar. By women he is not only attracted but governed; from the effect of Cleopatra‘s taunts we can see that he had been govemed by Fulvia. Nor has he either the patience or the steadfastness of a born ruler. 👇👇 (edited) 4y

Graywacke He contends ﬁtfully and is prone to take the step that is easiest at the moment. This is the reason why he consents to marry Octavia. It seems the shortest way out of an awkward situation. He does not intend even to try to be true to her. He will not think of the distant consequences.” 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke I agree with all of that. He can‘t see past the here and now and he has an “enough” where Caesar is never happy, even if he ruled the world. He‘s immature by Roman standards. He‘s but a boy, ruled by his passions and destroyed by them. 4y

mollyrotondo @Graywacke I needed more of an explanation for why he marries Octavia. The “easy way out” makes a lot of sense. 4y

Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke @GingerAntics I have read that book about Cleopatra (will be re-reading with you) and the main point of the book was how Cleopatra‘s legacy was basically written by male historians blaming her for everything, pretty much, because she was the woman and leading the man astray. Nowadays, this would be called politics. She certainly used her female charms to her advantage - you use what you got. 4y

Gezemice @Graywacke @GingerAntics I think that quote by Plutarch sums it up. It was in Antony‘s nature to seek pleasure and not seek power for its own sake. It was his own decision to idle his advantage away. There is no need to blame Cleopatra for Antony‘s decisions and idleness. She was a shrewd politician and it is unlikely she would have counselled him to waste an advantage. 4y

Gezemice I just finished the play and was not impressed with the last act. The previous two were so long and so much happened, and this one was just drawn out. Yes, Cleopatra deserved a last grandstand and dying like a queen. But I did not see the point of the idle talks about her valuables and a bunch of just busy-busy discussion of details. It would have been better with half the act cut. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I am not sure what you mean by immature relationship. My point about maturity was that they both had a long life, multiple spouses, children, and were emperors in their own right, thus making their relationship wholly different from that of young lover‘s first love. Much jealousy was due to political maneuvering, that does not happen in most other middle-aged couples. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice I meant that Octavius might have wanted Anthony portrayed as immature, ie partying in Egypt while wasting time, making him look less competent than Octavius who was younger, but came out looking more mature by comparison. I meant that Octavius might have sown a lot of rumor & propaganda to make himself seem more mature & Anthony look more of the party pretty boy frolicking in Egypt to solidify his eventual takeover of all 3 parts of ⤵️ 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ... of Rome. I don‘t think it‘s an accident that Anthony, after helping Octavius fight Julius Caesar‘s murderers, was sent off to Egypt....or I should say assigned Egypt as his section to rule. It kept him further away from Rome, gave him less chance at those powerful tide-turning orations of the last play, it gave Octavius room to plan... and it wasn‘t just Anthony that he took down in this play, the other third of their triumvirate fell too. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice I can‘t speak for @Riveted_Reader_Melissa but my point all along in calling them both immature and their relationship immature is due to their behaviour. They act like teenagers. They are most certainly not acting like adults. You couldn‘t pay me to date a man who acts the way he does. I wouldn‘t be friends with a woman who acts like she does. Obviously, I‘m talking about the characters, not the actual people. 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa that‘s very true. It seems, in hind sight, that this is a play all about Octavius and his big power grab, under the guise of a lust story (I can‘t even really see it as genuine love). It‘s a power play in 5 acts. 4y

Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Oh I definitely agree that Octavius was the brains of the triumvirate. It is no accident that he ended up being Augustus. Antony (and perhaps Lepidus, I am not sure) were soldiers, great generals. Octavian was a politician, and a great administrator. He had the most time and took it to prepare. You are right, he wanted to send Antony to Egypt. He kept Rome, the heart of the empire. 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice the last two acts really were long. This one was a bit of a let down, but it did seem unnecessary in length. All the posturing with Octavius (“here, have all my stuff” “I don‘t want your stuff”) all just to kill herself and accidentally taking one of her ladies with her. Eh. The redeeming quality of this play for me was the underlying/hidden power play. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics I am not sure what you mean by “how they act”. Getting drunk? Cheating? Marrying another woman for political advantage? Fighting? Jealosy? Yeah, those things they do. I guess we call different things immature. They certainly do not have a healthy relationship, but they keep returning to each other throughout the years. And they respect and clearly love each other, even after many years and many fights. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics This play is definitely about power and playing politics. The love theme is more of a sub-plot. It is all about Ceasar staying level-headed and pulling all the strings in the background while the rest waste their advantage. Then - pounce! Ceasar wins! And the rest make a desperate move to rescue their honor the Roman way. 4y

erzascarletbookgasm How interesting, the possibility that Octavius has been pulling the strings from the beginning! I have been focusing too much on Cleo & Antony‘s characters and love affair! 4y

erzascarletbookgasm I know the story of A&C -the famous love affair, has been written/created many times but why Shakespeare wrote Cleo‘s character as so immature?! Now I‘m interested to read the book recommended by @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @erzascarletbookgasm If you are interested a bunch of us are going to read it as a group read in June, feel free to join us. From what the author said in the interview I posted (way up on this thread I posted the link). Cleopatra was not immature in reality, she was quite strategic and smart, but her “history” was written about 100 years after her death, and Shakespeare borrowed a lot from that history. And that history was written by the... (edited) 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...winning Romans. Her interview, and I‘m hoping the book goes into more detail, says a lot of this femme fatale sexpot personality was part of the myth created for her, it suited their narrative for her to have ruled and almost won by being pretty than by being an educated and strategic woman. I‘ll see when I read it in June. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice I‘m not sure they do genuinely love each other (the characters, not the people). It seems to be of convenience. He loves her when he feels it‘s good for him. She throws tantrums when she doesn‘t get her way. That‘s not how mature adults behave. I‘m sorry. It‘s just not. 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Everything outside of Shakespeare I‘ve read about Cleo has portrayed her as a strong, independent woman. That is definitely NOT the feeling you get from her in this play. (edited) 4y

MoonWitch94 This is the only version of the character of Cleopatra that I cannot deal with. So incredibly annoying & childish. As someone else commented, feels like total propaganda against women in power. I have the book by Stacy as high, but have never read it. I‘m thinking I might start that soon. This was NOT one of my fave works from The Bard, and while I‘m glad to have read it, I‘m glad it‘s done. 🤣😂 Which play is next???

Cleopatra: A Life

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 Love Labour‘s Lost is next. A few of us are actually doing a group read of that book in June. You can join us if you want. I‘m beginning to lose track of who all is joining us now. @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa who‘s all in the group now? lol 4y

MoonWitch94 @GingerAntics yes, that would be great! Would love to join. 😍 And yay to Love Labour‘s Lost!!!!!! 4y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 I‘ve seen a very funny production of LLL. They really embraced the comedy aspect of it. I‘m looking forward to reading it for the first time. 4y

TheBookHippie I can‘t remember 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️ who is all in Cleo group but I‘m ready!!! My initial thoughts are R & J is middle school A & C are high school . Medusa is cool with snakes ..C not so much! It was a lot of diva drama 🤣🤣😫 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie high school how? My high school could barely handle Julius Caesar. God that was painful. I far preferred R&J and MacBeth in junior high. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics haha I meant the characters actions 🤣 I think of cleopatra way more mature and feminist . Not like in this play. I‘m anxious to read the Cleopatra book. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie oh, I was having horrible visions of trying to read this in high school for a minute there. I‘ll agree they act like high schoolers in this play. I feel like R&J do as well, though. I don‘t really see any difference in their behaviour. The real Cleo is far more self possessed and mature. I‘m sorry Shakes chose not to write another strong woman in this play. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I feel the same way -lost opportunity ! 4y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics do you know when and where more performances of Antony and Cleopatra are being streamed soon? 4y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo I have this one from Shakespeare & Company. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CT0sy42RHA8 I know there was at least one other available about now, but I need to go back in our conversations and figure out who is was from. 4y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics thank you! 4y

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mollyrotondo

Antony and Cleopatra;: An Historical Play, | William Shakespeare

pick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the reading experience but
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the viewing experience
I think this is a Shakespeare play much better enjoyed while watching. It made so much more sense to me when I watched the National Theatre performance. The banter really works to watch and hear and the betrayals and strategies are more obvious. I loved it while watching but did not love reading this one. But plays are meant to be performed. #shakespearereadalong

Melismatic Agree! I think I‘ll appreciate it much more seeing it performed. 4y

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Daisey

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

Overall, I enjoyed this play, but I felt it was a little bit too all over the place geographically and emotionally. I was constantly double checking my print copy to make sure I knew where the characters were as the action jumped from Rome to Alexandria and elsewhere. I was also baffled by trying to keep up with the trust (or lack thereof) and manipulation between Antony & Cleopatra.

#ShakespeareReadalong #ArkAngelShakespeare

Lcsmcat I had a similar experience. This was better watched, but still it was so capital D Drama that I felt like I was back teaching adolescents. 4y

Daisey @Lcsmcat Yes, capital D drama is the perfect way to phrase it. I also eally enjoyed the National Theatre production. 4y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

This was very interesting: Stacy Schiff discussing her book Cleopatra. And a lot about her and Julius Ceaser and Marc Anthony for our current plays with #ShakespeareReadAlong

YouTube: https://youtu.be/2kMaK6oqlrU

NeedsMoreBooks I enjoyed this! 4y

BennettBookworm TIM GUNN ❤️ 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BennettBookworm He was an excellent interviewer. 4y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @NeedsMoreBooks Me too 4y

Daisey I missed this. Thanks for sharing! 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey You‘re welcome! 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I think you‘d find this interesting @Graywacke 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks! I‘ll find time tomorrow to listen. 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa that was terrific. I wasn‘t interested in the book before, but she makes in interesting, a lost intellectual center of the world. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke I thought you‘d find it interesting. We‘ve talked a lot in the play‘s discussion about the history, the sources Shakespeare pulled from, and all of that she touched on in some way in this brief book discussion. It definitely made me want to read the nonfiction account more too. The lost intellectual center of the world and the scruffy backwater of Rome.😂. I found the discussion here just fascinating. 4y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

The story is one well known and yet this play surprised me in many ways. Another great read with the #ShakespeareBuddyRead, and I‘m really looking forward to my group read of Cleopatra: A Life next month now #CleopatraGroupRead

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Cleopatra: A Life

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Another act that‘s all over the place. Antony is dead. I feel this is fitting for his behaviour in this play.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish @graywacke

Melismatic Same honestly. I had whiplash from how quickly things shifted in this Act. 4y

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Graywacke @Melismatic 😂 4y

Graywacke All in bits and pieces. Some great lines, but hard to follow the rapidly changing scenes. It does, iirc, follow Plutarch. 4y

Graywacke I thought this was interesting, the plays leading up to A&C:

Othello (1604)
Measure for Measure (1604)
All's Well That Ends Well (1603-06)
Timon of Athens (1604-06)
King Lear (1605-06)
Macbeth (1606)
Antony and Cleopatra (1606-07) (edited) 4y

jewright This act does remind me of Romeo and Juliet a little. Cleopatra hides in a tomb and Antony stabs himself. 4y

Graywacke We have given this one a hard time, but it seems the bard was on a consistent roll. I can‘t help wondering why I‘m struggling with this one, and what I‘m missing. 4y

Graywacke @jewright i haven‘t read R&J since high school. I would like to compare these two - opposite ends of his career, in a sense. 4y

mollyrotondo I thought it was interesting that we kept getting teased about Antony‘s death and were made to think he was going to lose and be defeated by Caesar. But he was actually winning. It was Cleopatra‘s betrayal that led to his death and defeat. And I have a question: Did Cleopatra really betray Antony? 4y

Lcsmcat @jewright Me too! They‘re all acting like teenagers. 4y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke Have you watched the National Theatre production? Watching it is easier than reading. All the quick scene changes are kind of like watching an action movie. There‘s not a lot of dialogue going on, but people are running around everywhere. 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke I wouldn‘t have thought of looking at this plan that way, but that certainly gives a perspective and sort of explains things a bit. 4y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo I‘m wondering that too. Seemingly, her alliances change constantly. That alone could give a person whiplash. The reason she gave of why she told Antony she was dead don‘t really make sense. Is she hoping to be the “victor” in that she took down Antony? 4y

Gezemice I am still on act 3... way too much going on, I thought I was catching up! 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice it‘s okay. It‘s a crazy time right now. I think I just lucked out in getting some time to read this act. These are absolutely epically long acts that have so much going on. 4y

mollyrotondo @Lcsmcat yes I agree! I watched the whole play and it made so much more sense visually. The banter worked so much better because I did not understand those scenes while reading. This is definitely a play that was meant to be watched. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jewright Yes, I can see why someone said last week that they had seen them taught together....was that you? 4y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics I was thinking that her wanting Antony to think she was dead was just her playing those juvenile games to see if he loves her not. Even at a crucial time of war she‘s still playing love games. But the ships leaving Antony‘s fight was confusing because I wasn‘t sure if her men were betraying her and Antony or Cleopatra gave that order 4y

mhillis Everything started to come together in this act. It was more like what I was expecting! For me, it was easier to understand who was talking in each scene by watching the play. 4y

jewright @Riveted_Reader_Melissa No, but I read that comment last week, and this week I can really see why. @Graywacke I love R&J. It‘s my favorite play, and it‘s, in my opinion, much, much better than this one. It might be part nostalgia on my part, but R&J was what made me fall in love with Shakespeare, and it‘s always remained my favorite. 4y

Graywacke @jewright R&J is you‘re favorite! Taking note of that. I have every intention of reading it as an adult so that I actually remember it. (Can‘t recall if I missed this group‘s read of R&J. I joined about a year in.) 4y

Gezemice Ok, I have now read Act IV. I liked it a lot more than III - while a lot happened here, too, they were all in the same two days and the main characters had lots of interactions. Antony is so changeable - when luck is with him, he loves Cleopatra, when it is not, he blames her. He wants to kill her but when he hears she is dead, he kills himself. What comes through is that they truly love each other. 4y

Gezemice @mollyrotondo @GingerAntics The play is unclear on whether she betrayed Anthony, probably on purpose, because I think Shakespeare‘s main point here is Antony‘s reaction: he just assumes she did, because he blames her for all his bad decisions and bad luck. I don‘t think she did, however, from her reaction, also because Antony was winning the day before. 4y

Gezemice @Graywacke @jewright I did not pick up on that, but what a great observation! Indeed, he evokes Romeo when he kills himself, thinking that Cleopatra is dead. On the orher hand, Romeo never wanted to kill Juliet... so I would say this is on Antony. 4y

Gezemice @Lcsmcat I actually thought they acted like a mature couple that went through a lot. A lot of fighting and making up, blaming, threats, but after all they still love each other and can‘t live without the other. 4y

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I feel the same way. I‘ve reread more passages in this one than usual ... I am now just reading it slower. Cleo is some game player I need to read more about her to understand this all I think . I too think maybe rereading R & J without having to teach small sections of it would help me here. This reminds me of high schoolers or middle school drama! I plan to sit with it tomorrow and catch up! 4y

Graywacke @Gezemice @jewright at best, they are a jaded mockery of innocent love in R&J. 🙂 And @mollyrotondo @GingerAntics I don‘t think she betrayed MA, I think she was completely dependent in his success. When he tells her to surrender to Octavius and “seek your honour, with your safety,” she responds, “they do not go together.” (edited) 4y

Gezemice @Graywacke Yes, she was delendent on Mark Antony. She knew that Octavius wanted to annex Egypt. Mark Antony left her to be queen. She did not want to be Rome‘s servant. 4y

Gezemice @Graywacke I don‘t think it is jaded mockery. Rather, complicated love of adults who had complicated lives. Plus, we have a power struggle between a queen and an emperor. Kind of hard to have innocent love when both have a long spousal and political history. Romeo and Juliet could be also taken as a foolish romance of hormon crazed teenagers who can‘t wait. Antony and Cleo waited a LOT. 4y

Graywacke @Gezemice 🙂 R&J definitely a little hormonal...but they were sincere. I never felt A&C were straight with each other. There was always a strong aspect of manipulation in their relationship, and always an uncertainty about their true feelings, that the expedient path was more important. 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice the notion of “teenagers” didn‘t exist back then. You were a child until you could procreate, then you were an adult and could be married. They were possibly hormonal, most new relationships are. @Graywacke as far as R&J being sincere, I don‘t know about that. Romeo can‘t get Rosaline out of his head, then suddenly it‘s all about Juliet. I agree A&C have never been honest with each other. I think both couples believe they are sincere. 4y

Gezemice @Graywacke @GingerAntics I mostly meant that we can also look at R&J in a jaded way if we want to. The more I think about it, I see a development of relationship parallel to where Shakespeare was in his life. R&J is about young and crazy love; Antony and Cleopatra is about a mature love that has many complications. R&J know nothing of life; A&C know too much. R&J is tragic because they have not lived yet; A&C because the life they lived. (edited) 4y

Graywacke @Gezemice i love that. Something to take home and think about, so to speak. 4y

MoonWitch94 @Gezemice I love that⬆️ and totally agree. I‘m the one that brought up teaching the plays together. I have a friend who frequently does that in her HS Honors English course she teaches. I‘ve seen articles from RSC discussing these comparisons, too. 4y

MoonWitch94 I haven‘t caught up yet...it‘s been a busy week. But I will do so soon. Can‘t wait to hop on here & discus with you all ☺️ 4y

MoonWitch94 https://www.bookdepository.com/Romeo-Juliet-vs-Antony-Cleopatra-Concepts-Love-Ro... Someone wrote a whole book about the comparisons! 4y

Gezemice @MoonWitch94 @Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you! Sounds like a great course. I think it is pretty clear why R&J is taught in a regular high school class and not A&C: R&J is pretty much all about the young lovers, there are no historical backgrounds, the play is much more linear and more relatable to young readers. In A&C love is just one of many themes; R&J focuses on it. 4y

15 likes38 comments

Daisey

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Sunday morning books and breakfast!

I read the description of the Valar & Maiar in the Valaquenta. This really is a book that gets better with multiple readings. #FellowshipofTolkien #BreakfastwithTolkien

Now to listen to Act IV (all 15 scenes) of Antony & Cleopatra for #ShakespeareReadalong #ArkAngelShakespeare#BookAndBreakfast

JazzFeathers Can't wait for the Valar tonight! 4y

59 likes1 comment

batsy

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

When I read this for a uni class I hated it. This time it was a better experience; edgy, enchanting, strange, histrionic, & excessive. It was a lot! It felt like maybe it was one of the rare plays where you could see Shakespeare sort of struggling with the amount of stuff he threw in there. It also felt quite cynical; the politics of it must have got to him. Cleopatra remains frustrating & beguiling & Antony remains an ass. #shakespearereadalong

batsy I read ahead to finish the play & catch the National Theatre's production on YouTube before it ended. I liked certain aspects : Fiennes' performance captured Antony's absurdity, Sophie Okenodo was a brilliant Cleopatra, getting the tone of the character just right; & the scenery, music & setting were all pretty fab. Though I worried that the actors might fall into the water feature in the middle 😂 I just found Tunji Kasim's Caesar underwhelming. 4y

batsy @GingerAntics 4y

GingerAntics There are actually going to be two other productions online right as we‘re scheduled to finish, as well. 4y

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batsy @GingerAntics Yes, I remember you mentioning it. I'm going to scroll through the posts to find it; should have taken a screenshot 🙈 4y

GingerAntics I know. I‘m trying to remember who found It originally. 4y

OwenBanner This looks amazing 4y

Cathythoughts ❤️ 4y

batsy @OwenBanner It was quite a feast for the eyes! 4y

batsy @Cathythoughts 😘 4y

Graywacke Maybe when I read this again sometime I‘ll be more open to all the craziness. Great review. Glad you enjoyed the performance (i gave up an hour in 😁) 4y

batsy @Graywacke Thank you! That performance, like the play, was *a lot* 😆 I broke it up over two days. The play as a whole is pretty hard to get a grasp on. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great review! 4y

BiblioLitten With me it was the other way round. I really liked it the first time but not quite the second time. 🙂 4y

batsy @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you 🙂 4y

batsy @BiblioLitten That's interesting ! I don't know if I have it in me to read it a third time 😁 but if I do it'll be some years from now and it'll be fun to see if I feel different. 4y

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mhillis

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Finished #shakespearereadalong a little early because I wanted to watch the National Theater production online. I enjoyed it even though it isn‘t my favorite Shakespeare play. I wish we could have seen more of Fulvia and Octavia but Cleopatra is so interesting!
That‘s book 2/6 for #nutsinmay

mhillis @Andrew65 📚😊👍 4y

Andrew65 Well done, two books is great. 👏👏👏 4y

Daisey I haven't read ahead, but I started watching the play yesterday and am finishing it this evening. This is my favorite of the National Theatre productions I've watched so far. 4y

mhillis @Daisey I wanted to watch Frankenstein but didn‘t end up making the time for it. I really liked the stage and costumes in this! 4y

mhillis @Andrew65 Thanks, both were already in progress so it was a running start! 4y

64 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

HAPPY MOTHER‘S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS IN OUR LITTLE GROUP!!!
A long and intense act. There is war. There is the return of a bride, and a return to Egypt. I was, oddly, unsure Cleo was happy to see Tony. Maybe it‘s because I‘m sleep deprived and stressed, but this was a very odd act. Thoughts?
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish @graywacke

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree, definitely a lot going on. He sent Octavia back to explain his position, but then ran off to Cleo as soon as she left, or maybe that was the same gossip and stories continuing, but now Octavia believed them too. Then they go to war, Cleo flees, who knows why, and Mark follows her...then he gets a second wind after and decides to go once more into the breach of war, but hey...let‘s party first?🤷‍♀️ 4y

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mollyrotondo Is anyone else hating Caesar right now too? At first I felt bad for him because he was the only one trying to keep Rome together while Antony is in Egypt partying and Lepidus is just a heel. But now he seems like a real jerk. He pulls the same thing on Lepidus as he did to Antony earlier in the play saying Lepidus refused to send over some of his army to help fight Pompey. And then takes his share and puts him in jail. I don‘t trust him now 4y

Graywacke @mollyrotondo he‘s ruthlessly plotting at every step. In character. 4y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo I don‘t think I ever trusted him, but I think I have a strict “don‘t even trust a Caesar” policy. 4y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics yeah I guess I have to keep reminding myself of that haha 4y

mollyrotondo @Graywacke uhh he seems to have such an agenda now. I wasn‘t picking up on it as much in the beginning. But I see it now 4y

Graywacke So much plot. And 13 scenes. Phew. It‘s tough, in text, to take all these scene changes in. But Enobarbus continues to have great lines. “the loyalty well held to fools does make / Our faith mere folly.” 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa right? That last minute party. It‘s so odd. I feel like I spent half the act going “really? Is this a good time?” 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke yeah, I‘m really looking forward to seeing this play performed. I didn‘t have time the other week to watch that first one. Luckily there are two others toward the end of our read that I can see. I feel like this would make more sense visually. 4y

Daisey I agree that this act seems to be kind of scattered and somehow not as clear about what‘s happening. I had to go back and reread the flight from battle to see if I missed any explanation. Also, like @Graywacke, I think Enobarbus has some really great lines. 4y

MoonWitch94 This is one of the handful of The Bard‘s plays I haven‘t read previously (English Lit major here 🙋🏻‍♀️) and I understand why it‘s often overlooked in a Shakespeare curriculum. This Act alone is probably the reason 🤣😂 It is so busy & almost has a manic feel. I‘m a bit overwhelmed. And I Absolutely HATE Ceasar! I agree with @GingerAntics that I am looking forward to seeing this on stage. 4y

Melismatic Agree @Graywacke - Enobarbus is the most likeable to me too - his asides hold a lot of weight. I can‘t decide who is more pitiful, Tony or Cleo but Tony really let his coward flag fly in this act. 4y

mhillis Glad to hear I‘m not the only one who felt confused by this act! After reading, I watched Acts 1-3 and that was very helpful! 4y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 that‘s a really good way to put it: manic. That is EXACTLY how it felt. 4y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 that‘s a really good way to put it: manic. That is EXACTLY how it felt. I can‘t imagine trying to teach this act. Sheesh. @mhillis confirms it‘s clearer when watched. 4y

MoonWitch94 @GingerAntics Right?!?! This is not a shining example of who Shakespeare is as a playwright and it would be difficult to teach. But that being said, I am enjoying this one tremendously. 4y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 maybe this would be a better play to study in a theatre class...or even a film class. 4y

Graywacke @MoonWitch94 i had no idea it was an overlooked play. Interesting. 4y

MoonWitch94 @Graywacke As far as I‘ve experienced, and peers of mine in theatre/English lit circles. In introductory Shakespeare Lit classes, it‘s usually not too popular. A friend of mine teaches it in a comparative theatre class, where they study Romeo & Juliet at the same time. It‘s an interesting concept, especially since it‘s a High School class. 4y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 @Graywacke that‘s interesting, teaching it in high school and opposite R&J. I‘m going to have to think about how they parallel. I was expecting it to parallel a lot more than it does, from what I‘d read. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics I‘m thinking it was a ‘might as well party and live it up‘ because this is our last night on earth. (edited) 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke It was a lot of scenes, more than usual even for skipping around on a battlefield. Having read some of his other battles in other plays now, I was kind of surprised he put all of it in one act with the before battle setup and after battle consequences. This is one of those times I remember that we aren‘t exactly sure all of Shakespeare‘s plays were written by the same person...and with this play I can where some of that debate might 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...come from. It feels very different from just the previous play. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I highlighted this line, which is also Enobarbus “To be furious, Is to be frighted out of fear” 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 🤣😂🤣 I like that mental image. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Melismatic I pity Cleo more. He got remarried, sent his new wife home to clean up the rumors, and then sucked Cleo into a war with Rome. I‘m not sure how much of it was all warmongering rumors by Octavius, but really he either should have gone with Octavia or kept her with him by his side because she could have vouched for him if he wasn‘t plotting against her brother.🤷‍♀️. He made some bad choices, and pooled Cleo right into it. 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa makes you wonder what was behind the structure of this play vs Julius Caesar with its crisp pace and refined language. Here, it‘s seems like there is room to refine it. But also the hectic structure emphasizes the hectic Cleo. It‘s a male-centric perspective on different types of females - tough Fulvia, loyal obedient Octavia and the wild, untamable, irresistible, powerful, self-destructive force that is Cleo. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke And yet all three have their lives turned upside down and ruined for men that don‘t really care about them too much. Fulvia wages war for Anthony, for him or to force him home, he shrugs over her death; Octavia weds Anthony because her brother asked her to, then goes back to Rome because Anthony asks her to...I doubt either appreciate her loyalty or sacrifice, and Cleopatra loves Caesar, he dies, beguiles and loves Anthony, he leaves 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...and remarries, then returns and needs her navy for a war. It‘s a great male perspective on different types of females...but they are all treated as plot shifters. 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa yes, they‘re pawns in the game, at whims of the more powerful men and their needs, and mistakes. The bard, writing after his own queen has passed, does not seem particularly sympathetic to them. (edited) 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Agreed, considering that he lived and wrote through a powerful Queen‘s reign, and saw other Queens on the world stage, you‘d have thought Cleo would have been written with more depth...even as a history. Maybe the fact that he wrote her as manipulative and attention obsessed had as much to do with his opinion of Queens in general as Cleopatra in particular. 4y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa an interesting thought game. Which is most like Elizabeth? (I would say Fulvia) And what other living queens might he have in mind (if any)? 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Elizabeth was also an unmarried queen, the reputed Virgin Queen, but she also had circling admirers who fell in and out of favor and who she played for her favor...which could be considered Cleo-like as well. 😳 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Fulvia maybe Mary, a warring counterpoint to Elizabeth. Mary (Elizabeth‘s sister/Bloody Mary), not the other Mary. **Had to edit this, to many Mary‘s. (edited) 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa And on that vein, Octavia would have to be Jane Grey I guess.... obedient, loyal, and it got her not much in the end. Nine days as queen I think, about as long as Octavia‘s marriage. 🤪 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Thanks, I was thinking Queens generally and Cleo‘s portrayal, but that was a fun thought experiment...there may be a germ of thought that could be the basis for somebodies thesis in this. If so, run with it, and let us know what you dig up. 🧐 4y

batsy I lost my mind during this Act. I went from "wha-" "wha-" "wha-" "WHAT" at every change of scene. Too many scenes! Dial it down, Shakesy! Lol. @MoonWitch94 Manic sums it up perfectly! It sounds like I'm not enjoying the play, but I am drawn to its weird, unhinged energy. Once again the underlying tensions feel very much like contemporary life. 4y

batsy @Graywacke I've grown very fond of Enobarbus. I loved it when Cleo asks, "What shall we do, Enobarbus?" and he says, "Think, and die." The brevity, wit, and truth in that! 4y

erzascarletbookgasm I wonder if Cleo is really going to betray Antony when Octavius sent his messenger to Cleo. I‘m a bit confused with her in this Act. First she was happy to hear Antony‘s wife is not as attractive as her. Then she insisted to go to battle but she fled in the midst of it. 4y

erzascarletbookgasm @Graywacke Enobarbus really stands out..he seem to make some good observations on situations and is not afraid to speak out. 4y

GingerAntics @erzascarletbookgasm I‘m confused with her, too. It seems she‘s playing both sides at the moment, so her feelings can‘t be too strong for him, now can they? 4y

MoonWitch94 @batsy Absolutely....it‘s manic—but enjoyable in a strange unhinged way. 4y

Graywacke @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm i started watching the NT performance last night (I think it‘s available through Wednesday??). Honestly, I wasn‘t impressed. Ralph Fiennes as Antony is not so great. Some other misses too, IMO. Cleopatra, however is very good and it‘s helpful to see how she performs the role. But Enobarbus is terrific. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @Graywacke sounds like I‘m going to hold out for one of the others a little later. 4y

Gezemice So I thought I was caught ip but it turned out I was only on Act III. It seemed like three acts to me! So much exposition and stuff happening, I was losing track. When finally we return to Cleopatra‘s palace, we have some character development. Mainly, Antony is stark mad, abnd can‘t you just see Cleo shutting up and waiting for him to finish? As fas as the party, it totally made sense to me. Last chance to have fun. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics I was also wondering how a theater deals with all these scene changes. 4y

Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke I have read Cleopatra: A Life a while ago and as far as I recall the last lost battle of Anthony was entirely his fault. He had a large army and full advantage but idled for six months, getting his troops demoralized, letting Ceasar group his troops and choose his battles. And Cleopatra was with him for a while and her presence boosted morale for a while. Of course everyone blamed her after the fact. 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice it does seem that whenever Cleo gets going, she doesn‘t stop for a while. Then again, Antony‘s got quite a few speeches. 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice so as always...blame the woman. 😂 Sad that that is the true tale as old as time. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics Yeah she does that but I meant the scene at the end of Act 3 he just blames her for everything, until he blows over and decides he is going to be the hero again and have a party with Cleo. 4y

Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yeah, that book was mostly about how historians have been giving Cleo a bad rap mainly because she was a powerful woman. From what I gathered, if she was a man and was allowed to lead those troops herself, things might have turned out different. I would have to go re-read it though.

Cleopatra: A Life

GingerAntics @Gezemice neither one of them is very loyal. We‘re actually planning to read Cleopatra: A Life in June. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics Oh, really? I have been absent... but I would be up for a re-read! 4y

GingerAntics @Gezemice I don‘t see why you couldn‘t join us. 4y

Gezemice @GingerAntics Great! Can you tag me for the thread? 4y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie it looks like @Gezemice wants to join us for the Cleopatra read. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics yay!! 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics my copy is somewhere in mail land 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Sounds great! 4y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice great to have you join us! 4y

21 likes62 comments

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Very odd moment of the act here...especially since neither seem to have actually done that yet.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

11 likes

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

“The wounded chance of Antony.” I don‘t know why, but I like the way that sounds.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

8 likes

Daisey

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

#ShakespeareReadalong Sunday morning reading
#ArkAngelShakespeare

Lcsmcat I read this week‘s chapter this morning too. And I couldn‘t remember which Act we were on because I watched the National Theater production Thursday. 4y

Daisey @Lcsmcat I actually considered finishing the play this morning because I plan to watch that production this afternoon. 4y

batsy @Lcsmcat @Daisey I'm trying to push forward a bit because I want to catch that production while it's still available. And the Acts in this one are pretty extensive. 4y

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Lcsmcat @batsy Right? I can‘t believe how many scenes are in Acts 2 and 3! 4y

Daisey @batsy @Lcsmcat True! I did flip ahead a few pages and see there are 15 scenes in Act IV! I think I will read some more this afternoon before watching the play, but I doubt I‘ll finish. 4y

batsy @Lcsmcat I know! With each new scene I kept thinking, "Where am I and what's happening" ? 4y

mollyrotondo I really want to finish watching the National Theater production! I started it on Friday and stopped where I thought we had stopped in our reading. But then realized I never saw the part where the triumvirate are drinking with Pompey. I think I‘m just going to finish watching because it was so good! 4y

Lcsmcat @mollyrotondo I went ahead and watched the whole thing. It helps me in my reading to visualize the actors. 4y

57 likes8 comments

EllisBell

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

#ShakespeareReadalong Would you choose the love, passion, and fun of Egypt, or the cool, rational politics of Rome? Give me Egypt every time!

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Almost forgot about this. National Theatre (UK) is broadcasting their production of A&C on Thursday. @Graywacke found this for us. It‘s YouTube, so I imagine it will be available after the broadcast as well. I‘m excited to see a stage interpretation of this. There are 2 more productions that will be available about the time we finish reading, too. This one is available this week, though.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lWc6_aCTqI0&feature=youtu.be

GingerAntics #Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish @graywacke 5y

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TheBookHippie Ooooo!!! 5y

mollyrotondo Thank you @GingerAntics and @Graywacke 5y

mom2bugnbee My understanding is that these are available for a week. Frankenstein is up right now. ☺ 5y

GingerAntics @mom2bugnbee oh thanks! Good to know. I may have to go check out Frankenstein while I can. 5y

MoonWitch94 Ohhhh nice! Can‘t wait! 5y

mhillis I‘m looking forward to this!! 5y

batsy @mom2bugnbee I took note of the dates and still forgot about Frankenstein! Thanks for letting us know it's still up 👍🏽 5y

Lcsmcat Thank for sharing! 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics thanks! And, for everyone, yes, NT is broadcasting one play a week, just for that week. 5y

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Shakes can always write a good insult. If it wasn‘t Cleo acting like a spoiled little princess instead of a queen.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

TheBookHippie 🤣🤣🤣 5y

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Well, Antony can‘t say he wasn‘t warned.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

batsy Yup! I'm just screaming LISTEN TO THE SOOTHSAYERS, FFS at this point 🤣 5y

GingerAntics @batsy isn‘t that how it always is?! Those poor soothsayers can‘t get anyone to listen. I wonder if it‘s the ides of March guy. 5y

8 likes2 comments

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

They never would have said this in Ancient Rome, but okay. The Bard‘s day and age bleeding into things.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

9 likes

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Antony has been married off to yet another women he‘ll probably cheat on. Cleopatra gets crazy about it. (He cheated with you before, why would it be any different now?) Some drunken reveries. Act II was interesting, so say the least.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong
@merelybookish @graywacke

GingerAntics I‘m going to be honest. I don‘t particularly like Antony or Cleopatra. I expected more maturity I guess. They both seem like idiots. At least Romeo and Juliet stood their ground and stood up for themselves (if not in a melodramatic way). These two can‘t even do that. Antony seems to just blow in the wind and Cleo throws tantrums like nobody‘s business. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 5y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Yeah.... this act was a lot. Lots of scheming, Cleo finally thought she had him all to herself, but nope. Anthony definitely thinks he can have his cake and eat it too...marriage alliance, while I run off with Cleo and leave this wife at home just like the last one...but this one‘s less likely to make war on Octavius while I‘m away. He should consider however that she is more likely to scheme with Octavius while he‘s away though. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa And lots of side characters hatching plots and trying to stoke rebellion, while Pompey was great, that would have be great...if you hadn‘t told me first, but you did so now it‘s off. 🤭😑 5y

Lcsmcat @Riveted_Reader_Melissa The bit with Pompey and his “honor” jumped out at me too. Of course my suspicious nature kept saying “Don‘t get on the boat!” 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat right? No idea why he got on the boat. It seemed so obvious that it was probably a bad idea. 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I guess it‘s not Rome if there isn‘t rebellion simmering just under the surface. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa “Yeah.... this act was a lot.” !! It was the never ending act. 5y

Graywacke Things that jumped out at me: (1) scene 1 with Pompey grounds the play. It shows there is real politics with really consequences and that Antony has a dangerous role to play. I think the play needed this (2) Octavius and MA are distinctly different in how they treat their advisors. Octavius depends on them and listens to them and Agrippa‘s suggestion is brilliant and compromises Antony. Enobarus is stuck unlistened to...👇👇 (edited) 5y

Graywacke Enobarus also consistently has the best lines. (“That truth should be silent I had almost forgot”). All the players need their advisors (3) Cleopatra reveals she has a game. Antony is a fish to catch and the bastard is out of reach and she can‘t control him...she‘s frustrated. 5y

Melismatic @GingerAntics you really said it. Both seem to be making really selfish choices and not on a tragic, romantic way. 🙄😂 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics after ActI I didn‘t like A or C. But now I‘m starting to get them. Antony is balancing work and pleasure. Work is ruthless. I found him actually sharp, but too much pleasure allows the more staid and balanced Octavius to outmaneuver him. Cleo is stewing. She also gets what‘s happening. Something will come of that. Not much real romance...however, just games 😐😶🙂 5y

Graywacke Oh, (4) Lepdius is a cipher. “To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen/to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be” 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke the more I think about it, I didn‘t much like them after the first act either. I think I was trying to reserve judgement since it was the beginning of the play. I hoped they would become more liable in the 2nd act, but they didn‘t. I don‘t really feel like I understand them now, though. I‘m with @Melismatic they‘re being really selfish in a ridiculous/tragic/stupid sort of way. 5y

merelybookish @Graywacke Neverending indeed! I still find Cleopatra the most interesting character. I perk up when she's in a scene or even when someone is describing her. I'm a bit dazzled, I guess. I prefer her over-the-top rants to politicking and drunken scheming. 5y

TheBookHippie That picture though!!!!!!!! Cleopatra boggles my mind. Control and games is her hobby for FUN she gets aroused by it all drama drama ...I think I thought she was more mature and intelligent ...Antony cake and eat it too but cake must be a bit bland ?! Idiots amuck ... what‘s going on around you whilst you play this foolish game ?! I am loving the commentary as it‘s much preferred to the actual goings on here in 2020. 😫 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics I agree that I really don‘t like Antony or Cleopatra. Cleopatra is so annoying when she keeps interrupting the messenger about Antony‘s marriage. Uhh I wanted to scream at her to just be quiet and let the man speak! And Antony is a real cad. He thinks he can just abandon Octavia for Cleopatra and he‘s new pal Caesar won‘t find out. I mean what a jerk. I‘m not rooting for these two but I‘m not sure we are really supposed to 5y

mollyrotondo @Graywacke yes never ending! I am not usually interested in the war plot lines in these plays but that is the most interesting part for me in this one. And Lepidus is such a waste of a leader. They should dump him and let Pompey take his third 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie 🤣😂🤣 you have a valid point, it‘s still better than 2020. I like your assessment of Cleo. 5y

jewright I felt so sorry for that poor messenger. It‘s not his fault you don‘t like his news. 5y

GingerAntics @jewright right?! I was so afraid she was going to have him executed. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics Gives my mind a break for sure and the ridiculous of it is soothing compared to real life 🤣😳 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie ridiculousness is always helpful in times like these. 5y

Graywacke @jewright i wonder about these ancient messengers. Tough job... 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke @jewright I‘m guessing this is where the whole “don‘t kill the messenger” plea started. Seems a very dangerous job. Cleo wanted to whip him with wire at one point. Crazy ancient leaders were slightly evil. 5y

CoffeeNBooks @mollyrotondo @jewright That conversation between Cleopatra and the messenger was so frustrating to read! It really seemed to highlight Cleopatra's personality, though. 5y

mollyrotondo @CoffeeNBooks uhhh I couldn‘t wait for it to end. It was torturous to read. She is so juvenile 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo totally agree. She‘s like a spoiled teenage princess. Ugh. That entire conversation was cringeworthy. @CoffeeNBooks @jewright (edited) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm There seems to be lots of messengers in this play. Actually the phrase ‘don‘t kill the messenger‘ did come to my mind when Cleo wanted to kill the messenger. 😄 I find Cleo very interesting too..still not sure what to make of her. She‘s so unpredictable and controlling. 5y

erzascarletbookgasm As for Anthony, I thought I get him..sort of, until he belittled Enobarbus. Does he really love Cleo? All I know is, he is completely under her spell. Or ‘witchcraft‘. 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Back to Cleo, I wonder if her feelings for Anthony is real..maybe keeping Anthony by her side is just a political move. Just like she seduced J Caesar? 5y

GingerAntics @erzascarletbookgasm I‘m trying to figure that out, too. Is Cleo just really talented or does he actually have feelings for her? I know the real A&C most likely WERE in love, but I‘m not sure about the fictional A&C. 5y

GingerAntics @erzascarletbookgasm I‘m not sure. She seems like such a teenager to me. I think she believes they are, whatever her motivations may be (just like any teenager in “love”). They may be genuinely real, or it could be a political play. It‘s so hard to tell. What are your thoughts? 5y

erzascarletbookgasm I don‘t know for now. Yeah, she does act like a teenager in love/infatuation, throwing tantrum and displaying jealousy. If she is truly using her beauty and allure to seduce the Roman leaders to be in power, well that‘s quite a sacrifice. 5y

GingerAntics @erzascarletbookgasm sure it. It seems the sacrifice is her appearance of sanity or looking like an adult. It almost seems so outlandish that it would make more sense that it‘s real. 5y

batsy There was a lot going on with this scene. Political maneuvering is a full time job. I'm with @merelybookish I find Cleopatra the most interesting character. Even if she's overbearing and dramatic she's never boring. Antony on the other hand truly inspires my dislike. His willingness to accept Octavius' sister says a lot about his character. Yes it's political, but still. And I think so far it's one of Shakespeare's more cynical plays. 5y

Graywacke @batsy Cloe is definitely never boring. MA was arguably cornered. How could he say no? It would be a declaration of a break, and so of war. Well, perhaps he could have played it off on some excuse... (edited) 5y

GingerAntics @batsy I‘ll definitely agree that Cleo keeps you on your toes. Antony is being a total jerk, but it think saying no would have started a war, too. (edited) 5y

batsy @Graywacke I dunno, he could have paid the soothsayer to come in with talk of portents and doom if he accepted... Dark clouds... Fireballs in the sky... Something like that 😆 But agreed he was put in a spot. Still, he rubs me the wrong way. I might have to return to Plutarch to get a more balanced view! 5y

Graywacke @batsy paying the soothsayer 💡!! 🙂 5y

GingerAntics @batsy @Graywacke 🤣😂🤣 now there is an idea!!! 💡 That would make a very interesting plot twist. 5y

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Melismatic

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Act II complete! Cleo‘s dramatics are quickly dissolving into painting her as pathetic. If she is as beguiling & powerful as they claim, why is Antony (who was already married when she met him) so special? 🙄 Girl. Own your power & get your head right. 😂 As with reading ‘Caesar‘, Antony continues to strike me as an opportunist, genuinely feeling he never has to pay for his actions. Selfish!

#shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics

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Daisey

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

It‘s another Sunday morning breakfast with Shakespeare. Act II was all over the place from Alexandria to Rome and back again, and I found myself checking the location a few times. I had hoped that Cleopatra would be portrayed as stronger rather than so dramatic, but I can‘t say I‘m surprised.

#ShakespeareReadalong #BookAndBreakfast

59 likes

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

There is obvious innuendo happening here. It‘s very dramatic and almost a little infatuated teenager, but the way it‘s written is very intriguing.
Forgot to post this last night. Thanks for reminding me @mollyrotondo
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

TheBookHippie I read that CHARMIN like TP 🤣🤣🤣🤣 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie 🤣😂🤣 how did I miss that before?! I will never read that as anything else, ever again. 🤣😂🤣 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics welll where did all the TP GO?! 5y

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Wow, so a lot up front in this first act. Fulvia is dead (that was a quick “appearance”) and Cleo is really dramatic, but apparently Antony is into that.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish @graywacke

TheBookHippie It reminds me of my grandma who said some women were “too theatrical” 🤣 she uses her “wiles” intelligently ...a lot in the first part. Also a letter a day 😳 is Antony intrigued or enamoured apparently both ? Star crossed lovers comes to mind. So truly in love at all costs or just foolish .. thankful there are many many live versions of this I intended to watch when through reading. This is a new one for me and I did no research going in blind! 5y

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Graywacke I‘m stumbling through. It‘s new to me and, while I know the story, I don‘t know how the bard will take us there. The soothsayer was good fun. Hoping for a strong complex Cleopatra... 5y

Melismatic Same here - I was expecting more of a romance so the dramatics and sex references were a little surprising to me. I‘m getting the feeling Cleo will be the most nuanced & complex character. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie you and me both. From what I‘m seeing in pictures, this is going to be a really good one to watch. 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke same. I feel like Cleopatra has to be complex and strong. It doesn‘t really work as well otherwise. @Melismatic she sure seems that way. I hope it continues. (edited) 5y

Lcsmcat So many serpent/snake references already! I didn‘t expect that so early. 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat they are all up in those snake/sex references. My cover are is an uncoiling snake, so I should have seen it coming. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa There was definitely a lot going on in that first act...and I‘m not really sure about this version of Cleopatra yet, so far she‘s coming off more manipulative and clingy/cloying than cunning, so fingers crossed there, but knowing the ending and Shakespeare‘s treatment of women in most of these...I‘m not holding my breath for strong womanhood to emerge. 🤷‍♀️ 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa she did have this moment where she was yelling at Antony because he wouldn‘t tell her if he was sad his wife had died or happy he could be with her now. That did seem almost cliche female role, even in the 1990s. Shakespeare has written some really strong female characters. It remains to be seen if this is one of them. 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa yeah, you might be right. I know that Plutarch was mostly interested in Antony. Shakespeare Online has an article on the source and notes Shakespeare‘s Cleopatra comes not really from Plutarch but from earlier stage adaptations. 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa if you‘re interested: http://shakespeare-online.com/sources/antonysources.html 5y

mollyrotondo @Riveted_Reader_Melissa yeah I am not liking her at all. She‘s too manipulative and Antony makes a comment about her acting immature. It‘s unattractive. Antony seems much weaker in this play than he did in Julius Caesar. Antony was this amazing orator and manipulative in his own way. Is this showing that old cliche of women tearing men down and being the cause of their weakness? If so, then this is going to be a hard one for me 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo ugh. I really hope not. Are we sure it‘s the same Antony as Julius Caesar? He‘s very different in this one. 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics oh I just assumed since we have Caesar‘s son again as well. But maybe it is a different Antony? I‘m thinking of these Roman plays as all a part of one world 🤔 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo so did I. He just seems so different. It can‘t really be him when he was younger for obvious reasons. How popular was the name Antony? Maybe there are a bunch of them. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo there‘s the Antony that makes the good speeches. There‘s the Antony with Cleo. There‘s the Antony that runs the pub. There‘s the Antony that runs the mill? 🤷🏼‍♀️ 🤣😂🤣 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics Antony‘s everywhere. 🙂 I think it‘s the same Antony, but completely out of his element, and much too far from home. So far it seems like neither Cleopatra nor Antony know how to handle their situation. It‘s a stew: toss in some greed, flavor with power, desire, face and mix in untetheredness. (edited) 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics hahaha I think he just has multiple personalities. It does categorize him in the character list as Mark Antony and he is one of the triumvirs of the Roman Empire which makes sense after the reading the ending of Julius Caesar. I think he is the same. I am going to imagine the same person 😂 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo @Graywacke that‘s it! I‘m going with the same guy, multiple personality, completely out of his element (which is obviously giving really awesome eulogies). (edited) 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics he certainly hasn‘t given his dead wife a good eulogy so far in this play 😏 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo that‘s fair! 😏 Um...he gives good eulogies when their is something in it for him? 🤣 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics Bingo! And Cleo has his brains all scrambled with her sexy self so eulogies will have to be put on hold for now 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo EXACTLY!!! See, I think we have this figured out. Same guy. Totally off his game. 5y

mollyrotondo I also wanted to mention that I loved Cleo being so in love with Antony that when she wonders what Antony is doing right now she expresses some jealousy for a horse because if he is riding a horse at the moment the horse should be so honored to feel the weight of Antony. I thought that was very funny and “theatrical” like ppl said above 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo that turn of phrase stood out to me as well. I forgot about it until you mentioned it just now. 5y

mollyrotondo @GingerAntics it‘s my takeaway from this Act 😂 5y

GingerAntics @mollyrotondo well, that (and the obvious innuendo inherent in that statement) and that Antony really didn‘t give a crap about his wife. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Thank you, I am interested. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @mollyrotondo @GingerAntics @Graywacke If Shakespeare is following the real history, even if this isn‘t considered one of histories but one of his tragedies, then indeed this is the same, one and only, Mark Anthony. Maybe he was a great orator in his younger days, but now is a bit worn down by politics and wars...looking for escape in exotic lands (with exotic ladies) and darn it, always getting called back into the troubles of Rome. If only.. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...they‘d leave him to his 1/3 of the empire and to Cleo he could be happy, but nope. 🤷‍♀️🤪 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @mollyrotondo Right about the phrases...Shakespeare loved to put double meanings in for the spectators to thrill over, laugh over, snicker, whatever.... 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @mollyrotondo Shakespeare was a dirty old man!!! His double entendres and little puns are half the fun. I totally recommend

Filthy Shakespeare: Shakespeare's Most Outrageous Sexual Puns

(edited) 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m wondering how many ancient takes there are on A&C. Plutarch‘s is that Antony compromised himself in his quest for Cleopatra, that the quest ruined him and he got lost in it, neglecting his responsibilities. Cleopatra, meanwhile, was trying to play the power games, trying to figure out how to manipulate Antony, who she apparently found amusing. Her situation was difficult as she was isolated in Alexandria. (edited) 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m reading between the lines a little...a lot. Seems Shakespeare‘s Cleopatra is more concerned with Antony‘s affections than her power play. But his Antony is more Plutarch‘s. (above should not be a spoiler. Sorry ) (edited) 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke That‘s ok, you can‘t really spoil a historical tale. I‘m sure Cleopatra was playing him somewhat, maybe they really fell in love, maybe not...but keeping his attention & affection definitely protected her people and empire from Roman conquest, so for her it was extremely important. And whether Anthony fell in love or was manipulated into ignoring his duties, I‘m sure Roman leadership back home always considered those loyalties ... 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke this is an interesting look at their relationship and downfall...with a slightly modern spin for the sake of the title. https://theconversation.com/amp/the-fake-news-that-sealed-the-fate-of-antony-and... 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...divided. And since history is always written by the conquerors, I‘m not at all surprised that many/most depictions either have her as a lovesick manipulator or a cold hearted one. Anthony could have never, you know, supported Egypt because Rome was changing and it wasn‘t the same republic anymore, he had to have been lovesick or tricked by a temptress, no other reasonable reasons for the shift. The great orator has to be off his rocker,... 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ...never a conscientious objector to Rome‘s republic dying or some other political reason. Maybe all the stories are the same as Julius‘s murder...he had to be shrunk down to size and eliminated (as a man and roman leader) for the next leader to gain prominence....maybe all the stories we know are the scandal campaign against him that remained after he was gone. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sorry, just spinning now. I love history, but I try to remember it is all written and spun by humans. 😂 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics That article says it much better... thank you. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics great article. Thanks! 5y

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa that article really is exactly along the lines you were thinking. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke I know, and she posted it right in the middle of my rambling trying to explain my thoughts. If I would have waited, it would have saved me a lot of typing. 🤣 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 🤣 sometimes you just have to let it all out! 😂 It was just all spin. I think they probably, in real life, really did love each other. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics They must have at least a little, they had a few kids together...so even if they were trying to set up a new royal lineage, they could have stopped after the twins. 😉. Then again, she had a son with Julius Caesar too.... so maybe they just really wanted to burn the whole thing down after his murder. 😱. I really need to read Cleopatra, it‘s been sitting on my to-read shelf awhile now.

Cleopatra: A Life

Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I enjoyed your version. I was impressed how spot on it was. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I‘m going with the same guy too but WOE so weird.. he‘s allll these things. 5y

TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa well I need to read Cleopatra now! 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie I‘m going to have to check out this book on Cleo now, too. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Thanks, it‘s rare when my brain ramblings are so spot on and the article shows up simultaneously. LOL 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie @GingerAntics Maybe a side group read! 🤔 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I was thinking that, too. 5y

TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa OOOOO!!! 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie @GingerAntics maybe check and see if your library has it available for online reading and let me know, I know I have it in paperback (I picked it up at a library sale awhile back)... maybe we can read it in May or after we finish the play...depending on book availability of course. Let me know. 5y

TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ll check and we have a good used bookstore delivering I‘ll check there too! 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie sounds good. If all else fails I can mail my copy around after I finish. 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie I‘m moving in mid May, so I‘d rather wait until the end of May. I know I can get the book. I just don‘t know if I can do that with this and potter a day in the middle of the move. (edited) 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Sound good, just let us know. So maybe the end of May after this play or just June in general. And good luck with your move! 5y

GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks! We‘re moving 1,100 miles and it feels like the plans keep changing. We sign our new lease on the 18th. So that week is going to be crazy with getting stuff for the new place, assembling beds and things. I think the Sunday after that is Act V. So that could be totally doable. 5y

batsy I remember now why I hated it when I read it in uni years ago. Antony's masculinity is both pitiful and savage; waiting for his wife to die, mooning over the hot young(er) thing. It's so clichéd. I do find Cleopatra interesting though. I don't know if I like her and I don't think it matters, but I did enjoy her mood swings and twists and turns of phrase and thinking. Part of it is because you suspect she is pushing against norms of femininity. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy pitiful is a good way to describe him if you really think about. 5y

Graywacke @batsy “pushing against the norms of femininity” - this opens up, for me at least, new ways to look at this Cleopatra. 5y

batsy @Graywacke I'm not sure if I'm reading too much into her, but she seems determined not to be forced into any role. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy I‘m not sure what to make of her yet. One minute she‘s clearly in charge. The next minute she‘s pining for him and lamenting not being his horse. 🤷🏼‍♀️ It‘s like she‘s wavering between “I am in charge. I will not be put in a box.” and “oh to be his horse and hold up his weight” that kind of reminds me of a love sick college student. 5y

batsy @GingerAntics I hear you! I feel like she might be more self-aware than Antony at the moment (precisely because of the comments she makes about how quickly he gets over his wife and if the same fate awaits her) so I'm hoping her characterisation doesn't disappoint me as we read on 😅 5y

GingerAntics @batsy that‘s a good point. She‘s clearly the more mature between the two. Fingers crossed she gets to keep that up. 🤞🏻 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics Maybe something to highlight. The National Theatre (UK) will broadcast A&C on YouTube Thursday. https://youtu.be/lWc6_aCTqI0 (edited) 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke this Thursday? Wow. That‘s three companies that will show a production while we‘re reading this play. It seems we read at just the right time. I‘ll definitely share this when I post tomorrow. 5y

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Graywacke

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

I should have ordered from https://bookshop.org which is actively supporting independent bookstores, but I had amazon money and so bought Antony and Cleopatra there. My book should arrive May 13. 😐 So yesterday I read Act I using http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/antony_1_5.html

All this is to say that, instead of book image, I present my 🐈, Nikki, from this morning, pretending she‘s a kitten.
#shakespearereadalong

mollyrotondo Awww what a beautiful cat! 5y

Mtroiano 😻 5y

58 likes2 comments

Melismatic

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Act 1 is ✅

Cleo is so dramatic! 😂🤩 A true diva who thrives on pure emotion. I‘m def more Charmian, myself. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

#Shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics

batsy I loved the salad days quote and didn't realise it came from this play! 5y

Melismatic @batsy me neither! Fun surprise! 5y

merelybookish @Melismatic @batsy I'm rereading Emily Climbs by Montgomery and it has a chapter called Salad Days. Seemed a funny coincidence. 🥗🥗 5y

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Mtroiano

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

First time reading this one! I am thankful for the #shakespearereadalong crew for getting me to read so much Shakespeare!

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Daisey

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

My readathon plans got a bit derailed by other responsibilities yesterday, and I wanted a good night‘s sleep so I didn‘t read or participate here as much as I hoped. Yet, I‘m ending the readathon and starting my Sunday with Antony & Cleopatra.

#readathon #DeweysReadathon #24hourreadathon #DeweyApril #ShakespeareReadalong #ArkAngelShakespeare

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GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Getting a bit of a late start on this, but at least it‘s not too late.
#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong

batsy I'm in the same boat 😆 5y

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merelybookish

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Fulvia, Marc Antony's wife, aka "the old smock" who dies in Act I of Antony & Cleopatra while her husband is in Egypt with his "new petticoat." ? I feel she deserves her own play.
#shakespearereadalong @GingerAntics

GingerAntics Oh, are we going to write our own play again?! I forget which one we were going to rewrite now. lol 5y

merelybookish @GingerAntics Yeah I don't remember which one but we had the two women ending up together. 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish and taking over, as I recall. Some one of the ones where the women warn the men and they still mess it all up...that narrows it down. 5y

merelybookish @GingerAntics Were there twins? 🤔😆 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish I don‘t remember, but statistically speaking I‘d say it‘s likely. 5y

56 likes5 comments

batsy

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Happy birthday, Shakespeare! Came across something on my twitter feed earlier; fortuitous timing for the #ShakespeareReadAlong gang as this production of Antony and Cleopatra will be available while we're making our way through the play 🙂 @GingerAntics

Also, Frankenstein! 🙌🏽

GingerAntics Oh wow, we‘ll have two different productions available while we‘re reading it. The Stratford festival is releasing a production from a previous year the same day we have the final discussion. 5y

Velvetfur Oohh I love Sophie Okonedo! I'll have a look at that when it's on, thank you for telling us about this 😊 5y

merelybookish Wow they both sound so good! 5y

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batsy @GingerAntics Nice! That is so cool 5y

batsy @Velvetfur My pleasure! I'm excited about it :) 5y

batsy @merelybookish Yes! I remember Frankenstein getting a lot of raves 5y

vivastory I will definitely be checking out Frankenstein! I actually had tickets to see this in theaters a couple of years ago & was called into work 😤 5y

batsy @vivastory Nooooo :( 5y

batsy @GingerAntics Found your comment 😁 So the Stratford production is one to look out for. 4y

GingerAntics @batsy is that one of the productions that will be available as we finish? 4y

batsy @GingerAntics I'm not sure, you mentioned it above? 👆🏽😁 4y

GingerAntics Crap 😂 See, I knew this at one time. I should have put it in my calendar. 4y

batsy @GingerAntics 🤣 No worries. We live in weird times, what even is a calendar! 4y

GingerAntics I think it‘s a thing with squares for drawing pictures in randomly. If you draw all the pictures, you get a new picture of a kilted man, I think. That‘s how it works at my house. 4y

batsy @GingerAntics 🤣🤣 4y

77 likes15 comments

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Who‘s ready to quarantine with this lady who clearly knows how to do it right? Pull up the biggest pile of pillows you can find, turn of the daily press briefing/mad house reality show, and enjoy a trip back to ancient Egypt with the #shakespearereadalong. Our first discussion is this coming Sunday.
@merelybookish @NeedsMoreBooks @graywacke

GingerAntics @LitsyHappenings we‘ll be starting this Sunday, so it‘s not too late to join in, if anyone‘s interested. Please and thank you. 5y

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sheshedbooks 🙋 but probably late 5y

MoonWitch94 Can‘t wait 😊 5y

rabbitprincess The Stratford Festival will be streaming a previous production of this play starting on June 24! It will be available on their YouTube channel for 3 weeks after that. 5y

GingerAntics @rabbitprincess that‘s perfect timing!!! I can‘t wait. 5y

TheBookHippie Yes!!!!! Cannot wait. 5y

Melismatic ❤️🙌🏻❤️ lets do this, fam! 5y

Gezemice Will be reading... even if I don‘t stick with the weeks (it is hard for me - I do all or none). Loved Julius Ceasar 5y

28 likes10 comments

GingerAntics

Antony & Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

These folks are tired of staying home, too. They‘ll be very excited to have visitors (at a safe distance, of course). We made a little switch, since not many are super excited about the next instalment of the Hank Chronicles. We‘ll get to it, don‘t worry. We‘re just hoping to spend some more time with Antony.#Shakespeare #AntonyAndCleopatra #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish @NeedsMoreBooks @graywacke

GingerAntics @readinginthedark @batsy @lcsmcat @TheBookHippie @Sunraven @Trashcanman @IamIamIam @ladyneverwhere @erzascarletbookgasm @MoonWitch94 @catebutler @CoffeeNBooks @jewright @saresmoore @rabbitprincess @Balibee146 @IndoorDame @kathedron @Mtroiano @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MrsMalaprop @Gezemice @readordierachel 5y

TheBookHippie Yay!!! ❤️ 5y

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GingerAntics I think I got everyone tagged. If I missed someone or anyone would like to be taken off the list, let me know. 5y

IamIamIam Thank you thank you THANK YOU for inviting me once again, even though I'm seriously dropping the ball!! I'm going to use this as an excuse to have everyone leave me alone for 20 minutes a day! Lol... "No kids, get your own snacks. I need to catch up on my Shakespeare!" ??? 5y

mollyrotondo Wonderful! Can‘t wait! 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics Love the picture! @IamIamIam that‘s a fine excuse. 5y

merelybookish I'm here for some Cleopatra! 5y

GingerAntics @IamIamIam I like that plan. I wonder if it will work with adults? 🤣😂🤣 5y

GingerAntics @LitsyHappenings if you could share this, it would be awesome!!! Please and thank you!!! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Yes count me in! Thanks 5y

batsy If I can get a physical copy in time, I'm in! (I miss bookshops being open and the ease of mail delivery... 😢) I struggle so much with reading Shakespeare in a digital format 🙈 5y

GingerAntics @batsy yeah, that‘s a big problem right now. Maybe an audio version from the internet? It‘s not the best option, but at least it‘s something. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y

batsy @GingerAntics Thanks, that's a good suggestion. I'll do some searching :) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @batsy I searched the local stores online, none has stock. Orders from BD will not arrive on time. Looks like I‘ll be reading in digital format too. 😕 5y

batsy @erzascarletbookgasm Oh no! I'm so bummed, Jessie. I'm thinking of trying a free audiobook on YT, something like this https://youtu.be/a6k7-zd_byo and combining it with some online notes and bumbling my way through 😅 5y

Graywacke @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm was also pondering options. I think sometimes digital Shakespeare is done well, but it‘s very unpredictable. I know my delivery options are different, but I might order a paper copy, and then, if necessary, rent a digital copy from amazon or borrow from the library while I wait. 5y

merelybookish @erzascarletbookgasm @batsy Do either of you have audio/ebook apps for your phone or tablet like Overdrive or Hoopla? If not, I'm happy to give you my login information so you can listen/read the play. I know it's not ideal... 5y

batsy @merelybookish Thank you Margot, it's kind of you! But I don't have those apps largely due to us not really having an integrated library system over here. Thanks to both of your suggestions @Graywacke I still have the option of getting a copy on Kindle if i can't find a physical copy 🙂 5y

batsy Will keep you posted Jessie it might have to be Kino that we turn to in the end though I'm confused about their delivery schedule 🥴 @erzascarletbookgasm 5y

merelybookish @batsy I figured not. I was thinking you could download them on to your phone/tablet. Then use my info to get in. 5y

batsy @merelybookish if I'm still unable to find a copy that i like i might take you up on that :) After downloading either Overdrive or Hoopla. And figuring out how they work 😂 5y

merelybookish @batsy Ok! They're pretty user friendly! 5y

batsy @merelybookish Oh good! My brain has turned to sludge during this lockdown. The simplest things seem monumental! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Thank you @merelybookish ! What @batsy said, I don‘t have those apps either but may take up on your offer. Suba, Kino is out of stock. 5y

batsy @erzascarletbookgasm Yes, they don't seem to have most of the editions. Also I just checked their FB page and they seem to have deferred delivery of online orders until after the MCO so that's no good. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy I totally agree with the “simple things seem monumental” idea. The easier things are, the better, at this point. They tell me I‘m a millennial, but I‘m sick of my computer and we‘ve only been doing this madness for 2 weeks so far. Wait, has it really only been 2 weeks? Runs to find calendar. What day is this? 5y

batsy @GingerAntics Yup 😂😂 it took me till the end of Monday to realise it wasn't Sunday! 5y

GingerAntics @batsy 🤣😂🤣 5y

jewright I‘m excited to read this one. I haven‘t read it before. 5y

GingerAntics @jewright neither have I. It looks really good, though. 5y

MoonWitch94 I haven‘t read this one, so it will be fun! 5y

GingerAntics @MoonWitch94 I don‘t think anyone from our group has admitted to reading this one yet, so it should be a real adventure for all of us. Sort of the blind leading the blind in this read along, though. It‘s all good. We got this. 5y

batsy I'm sorry if I missed the post, but do we know what's our next play after this one? Thought I'd get a head start on ordering the book :) @merelybookish @Graywacke 5y

merelybookish @batsy No but we will try to pick the next three plays. Do you have one you'd like to nominate? I think we will do a comedy next. @GingerAntics @Graywacke @NeedsMoreBooks 5y

batsy @merelybookish I was just having a look at what we've covered. We've done quite a few! I'll be sad when we run out of plays 😢 I think either Measure for Measure or Love's Labour's Lost sounds good? 🙂 @GingerAntics @Graywacke @NeedsMoreBooks 5y

GingerAntics @batsy @merelybookish I want to say I‘ve read Measure for Measure, but I don‘t remember anything about it. I‘ve seen LLL and LOVED it. They really did make it funny. I‘d be gave for that. I don‘t think it has any implausible twin situations. 5y

merelybookish @GingerAntics @batsy Eventually we will only have histories left. 😝 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish @batsy I fear that. 😧 5y

24 likes39 comments

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

pick

This is a different reading experience from many of his other plays, the way it spans such a great distance and involves so many locations. Made it a little jarring to jump around so much, w/some “scenes” literally being like 8 lines. But the writing is strong & clear, & I like that all the relationship drama is a bit more believable than in other plays. Cleopatra is terrific. “Fuck you Caesar, I‘m not ur trophy. Let‘s do this, snakey” 🐍 4/5 ⭐️

28 likes

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

O, withered is the garland of the war;
The soldier‘s pole is fall‘n; young boys and girls
Are level now with men. The odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon.

20 likes

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

The loyalty well held to fools does make
Our faith mere folly.

24 likes

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Hence, horrible villain, or I‘ll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me! I‘ll unhair thy head!
Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine,
Smarting in ling‘ring pickle.

[Me to the hoarders at the grocery store. STOP CLEARING THE SHELVES, YOU JERKS, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE EXCEPT FOR WHAT YOU ARE CREATING. We all need water and toilet paper and soup and granola bars, stop being selfish dickheads and leave some for other people 😡😡😡]

ljuliel Agreed on the grocery store comment. Our stores look like they‘re closing down. Some items you can‘t find anyplace. They have signs up saying you can only take 1 , sometimes 2. The shoppers are wearing rubber gloves and face masks. Good grief, the whole world is going crazy. 🤬 5y

alisonrose @ljuliel Yeah the stores here also have the supposed quantity limits but how do they enforce it? Someone could just buy 2, put it in their car, go back in to a different checkout line and buy 2 more, etc. it‘s pissing me off 5y

ljuliel That‘s what I wondered. What happens when someone comes up to check out with a cart filled with one item ? Do the cashiers have to tell them to put it back ? You‘re right, they could just keep coming in , or bring the whole family and have each one buy 2. SOMEONE is hoarding this crap, or else the trucks aren‘t delivering. I‘ve never seen our stores so empty. I‘m ticked too. 🤬 (edited) 5y

Megabooks And don‘t go to senior hour unless you‘re a senior or immuno-compromised!! 5y

alisonrose @Megabooks Yeah I hope the stores actually start enforcing that too! 5y

26 likes5 comments

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Why should I think you can be mine, and true—
Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods—
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows
Which break themselves in swearing!

24 likes

alisonrose

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Never read this one, but I do love Cleopatra as a historical figure. Interested to see the Bard‘s take on her! #nowreading

33 likes

jenniferw88

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

This unassuming box will be sent Friday or Saturday for @JaneyWaneyB 's #staycationintimeswap! @Chrissyreadit

Chrissyreadit 🎉💗🥰👏🙌 5y

JaneyWaneyB 😲😮😲😮😲😁😁😁 💗💖💝 so exciting yours will be posted early next week 📦✉ 5y

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merelybookish

Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare

Nothing says summer like a tragic romance! 😀 Here are three options for our next #shakespearereadalong. Do we want to read:
💔Romeo & Juliet (the play we all know)
💔Anthony and Cleopatra (the play we kinda know)
💔Troilus & Cressida (the play we probably don't know at all)
Vote below! Once we have a winner, I'll make a schedule.
@readinginthedark @gingerantics

GingerAntics Anthony & Cleopatra or Troilus and Cressida 5y

merelybookish @batsy @Lcsmcat @Graywacke @DGRachel @CoffeeNBooks @Rachbb3 @erzascarletbookgasm @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Faibka @readordierachel @RestlessFickleBookHoarder @TheBookHippie @wife @jewright @teainthelibrary @IndoorDame @saresmoore @InLibrisVeritas @Susannah @Gezemice @BiblioLitten @wife 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I‘m with her. No Romeo and Juliet I do it every fall with students 🤣😩 5y

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Graywacke Since I‘m about to read the source in Plutarch, i‘ll give a nod to Anthony and Cleopatra. 5y

merelybookish @Mtroiano @wanderinglynn @kathedron @wordzie @rabbitprincess @CSeydel @Bookishgal71 @KatieanneF @zsuzsanna_reads @Balibee146 5y

Lcsmcat I vote for Troilus & Cressida - it‘s the only one I can‘t quote from. Second choice would be Anthony & Cleopatra. (What was the criterion for nomination - titles with two names? 😀) (edited) 5y

DGRachel First choice is definitely Troilus & Cressida because I don‘t know that one at all. 😊 5y

jewright Troilus and Cressida or Anthony and Cleopatra. 5y

wanderinglynn Troilus & Cressida would be my vote because I‘ve never read it. 5y

Susannah Troilus and Cressida. I‘ve gotten it into my head that I want to read it, and this is perfect timing! 5y

merelybookish @Lcsmcat Pretty much! 😆 5y

batsy Troilus and Cressida because, yes, I've never read it 🙂 (though I was almost going to vote for R&J because of the parallels to the play put on by the Mechanicals in Midsummer! Though I've never quite liked R&J 😆) 5y

readordierachel T + C gets my vote too. I'm completely unfamiliar with it. 5y

erzascarletbookgasm A&C and T&C sound good but I was hoping for R&J, just because I have the book and the mention in Midsummer. 5y

Rachbb3 Antony and Cleopatra 😊 5y

CoffeeNBooks Antony &Cleopatra or Troilus & Cressida 5y

merelybookish @coffeenbooks @Rachbb3 @DGRachel @Susannah @batsy @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @gingerantics @TheBookHippie @jewright @wanderinglynn @readordierachel T&C has 6 votes, A&C has 2; Either has 5. (Not much love for R&J. Sorry @erzascarletbookgasm). So unless someone in the either camp wants to change their mind, Troilus and Cressida is our next read. I'll post a schedule soon. 5y

Lcsmcat Thanks for organizing this! 5y

Susannah Sounds great. Thank you, @merelybookish! 5y

Graywacke Thanks! Sounds good (even though I‘ve just been reading about the connection between R&J and Midsummer Night‘s Dream... no, I‘m not changing my vote) 5y

TheBookHippie Sounds good!!!! Thank you sooo much! 5y

jewright I‘m so excited! Thanks for organizing it. I love reading Shakespeare with this group. 5y

GingerAntics YAY!!! Got the new play. Are you taking the week off between and starting right away? Hopefully the power comes back on sooner than later so it won't matter. 5y

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