antony and cleopatra: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Literary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “antony and cleopatra” mean?
A famous tragedy by William Shakespeare, first performed c. 1607, dramatizing the historical love affair and political alliance between Roman general Mark Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A famous tragedy by William Shakespeare, first performed c. 1607, dramatizing the historical love affair and political alliance between Roman general Mark Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII.
Used to refer to the historical figures themselves, their relationship, or any passionate and dramatic love affair with high political stakes. Can symbolize a grand, intense, and ultimately tragic romance. Also refers to productions, adaptations, and studies of the play.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'Mark Antony' is standard in British English, while 'Mark Anthony' is a less common but accepted variant in American English. Pronunciation of 'Cleopatra' differs (see IPA).
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties, though the play is a more central part of the literary canon in UK education.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency as a specific reference. The metaphorical usage is rare in everyday speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “antony and cleopatra” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] as a subject (e.g., 'Antony and Cleopatra is playing at the Globe.')[Metaphor] preceded by 'like' (e.g., 'Their affair was like Antony and Cleopatra.')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antony and cleopatra” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Their Antony-and-Cleopatra-level drama was exhausting for the court.
American English
- It was a truly Antony-and-Cleopatra kind of romance, all passion and peril.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical for a high-stakes merger or partnership that becomes distractingly personal.
Academic
Common in literature, drama, history, and classical studies departments.
Everyday
Rare. Used mainly by those familiar with Shakespeare or as a cultural reference.
Technical
Used in theatre (staging, dramaturgy) and philology (textual analysis).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antony and cleopatra”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antony and cleopatra”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antony and cleopatra”
- Misspelling as 'Anthony and Cleopatra' (though 'Mark Anthony' is a variant).
- Incorrectly referring to it as a comedy.
- Using 'Cleopatra and Antony' reverses the standard titular order.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it dramatizes the relationship between the Roman triumvir Mark Antony (83–30 BCE) and Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt (69–30 BCE).
The conflict between personal passion and public duty, and the devastating consequences when the former overwhelms the latter.
Yes, but it is a literary and metaphorical usage, implying a grand, intense, and potentially disastrous romance with significant consequences, often in a public or professional sphere.
In British English, it's typically /ˌkliːəˈpætrə/. In American English, both /ˌkliːəˈpætrə/ and /ˌkliːəˈpɑːtrə/ are common, with the latter perhaps more frequent.
A famous tragedy by William Shakespeare, first performed c. 1607, dramatizing the historical love affair and political alliance between Roman general Mark Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII.
Antony and cleopatra is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An Antony and Cleopatra situation (a grand but doomed romance with political consequences).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTONY (ANcient) AND CLEOPATRA (Queen) = An Ancient Queen's love story. Or: A&C = Asp & Crown (the asp that killed her, the crown he lost).
Conceptual Metaphor
A GREAT LOVE IS A POLITICAL TRAGEDY; PASSION IS A FORCE THAT OVERTHROWNS REASON.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the phrase 'Antony and Cleopatra'?