Antony and Cleopatra book club questions
by William Shakespeare · a kit for five meetings · 15 questions · printable
Fifteen discussion questions for Antony and Cleopatra, grouped by the play's five acts, with a reading plan, themes to talk about and a sheet you can print. Two good openers: when Antony puts love before Roman duty, what should matter most in judging his choice? And what might Cleopatra hope to gain by turning Antony's departure into a test of love and loyalty?
The reading plan
Meeting 1
Act 1, scenes 1 to 5
About 20 min to read
Meeting 2
Act 2, scenes 1 to 7
About 29 min to read
Meeting 3
Act 3, scenes 1 to 13
About 30 min to read
Meeting 4
Act 4, scenes 1 to 15
About 25 min to read
Meeting 5
Act 5, scenes 1 to 2
About 18 min to read
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Meeting 1: Act 1
- When Antony puts love before Roman duty, what should matter most in judging his choice?
- What might Cleopatra hope to gain by turning Antony's departure into a test of love and loyalty?
- How fair is Caesar's criticism of Antony's absence?
Meeting 2: Act 2
- What can a political marriage achieve if, as Enobarbus insists, Antony's heart remains with Cleopatra?
- How should we judge Antony's willingness to change course after a warning about unequal fortunes?
- What does Cleopatra's violence toward the messenger reveal about her response to news she cannot control?
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Meeting 3: Act 3
- Is Ventidius wise or too cautious to limit his success because he fears outshining Antony?
- What chance does Octavia have as a peacemaker when Antony prepares for war and Caesar receives her as an injured wife?
- How should a leader weigh personal preference against military advice when choosing where to fight?
Meeting 4: Act 4
- What makes Antony's supper invitation feel like a farewell rather than simple generosity?
- Does Antony's gift to Enobarbus make desertion harder to judge, or make its cost clearer?
- How does Enobarbus's death in remorse affect your judgment of his decision to leave?
Meeting 5: Act 5
- How do Caesar's mourning and efforts to secure victory affect your reading of his feelings about Antony?
- What would count as fair treatment for Cleopatra after Antony's death?
- What does Caesar's plan to parade Cleopatra in Rome suggest about what victory means to him?
Themes to talk about
Tips for the host
- Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
- Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Antonio y Cleopatra, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months freeMore book club kits: Wuthering Heights · The Odyssey · Hamlet · All kits
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