Short Summary - All for Love

[alert-success] All for Love by John Dryden [/alert-success]

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         John Dryden's All for Love (1677) is an admitted imitation of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. It follows the couple's final hours as war, jealousy, and lies test their love. Dryden wrote All for Love in blank verse to revive serious drama. Dryden (1631-1700) was named England's first Poet Laureate in 1668.

        Antony and Octavius defeated Julius Caesar, making Octavius caesar (the ruler of Rome). Antony is married to Octavia, Octavius' sister. Antony abandoned his family and moved to Egypt with Cleopatra. Caesar besieged Alexandria to avenge Antony.

        Serapion, a priest, is describing omens when Cleopatra's servant Alexas enters. Alexas is more concerned with his wife's relationship with Antony than with omens. Antony is Cleopatra's favourite, but he's depressed and distant because of Octavius Caesar. Alexas worries about Antony leaving Cleopatra.

        Ventidius, an old friend, visits Antony. Alexas announces an extravagant birthday party for Antony out of fear that Ventidius will convince him to return to Rome. Ventidius scolds Antony, saying Cleopatra "unmanned him." Ventidius offers Antony 10,000 soldiers to fight Octavius in exchange for leaving Cleopatra.

        Cleopatra brings gifts for Antony's soldiers when she hears the news. Antony says he would be safe in Rome with his family if he hadn't fallen for her. He reminds her she was Octavius Caesar's mistress, but he took her as his own. Cleopatra says Antony has her heart, not Octavius. He sees Octavius' letter. Octavius offers Cleopatra's life if she betrays Antony. Antony and Cleopatra reconcile when she refuses the offer, to Ventidius' dismay.

        Dolabella, a Roman friend, visits Antony. Dolabella loves Cleopatra, so they're rivals. Ventidius and Dolabella try to persuade Antony to return to Rome, but he refuses. Antony leaves Cleopatra after pressure from family and friends.

        Octavia enters as Alexas tells Cleopatra. Octavia insists Antony belongs by her side even if he loves Cleopatra more. Cleopatra fears losing Antony when Octavia leaves. Dolabella brings Cleopatra Antony's goodbye. Antony feared he'd change his mind if he said goodbye in person. Dolabella and Cleopatra use Alexas to make Antony jealous by pretending to be lovers.

        Ventidius and Octavia tell Antony about Dolabella and Cleopatra to convince him to leave. Antony, however, asks Alexas about it. Alexas's confirmation infuriates Antony. Antony visits Cleopatra and Dolabella, who claim innocence.

       Octavia returns to Octavius with their children after seeing Antony's jealous rage over Cleopatra. Antony climbs a tower to watch the Egyptian and Roman naval fleets battle, but they join forces. Octavius thinks Cleopatra betrayed him.

        Cleopatra stabs herself unsuccessfully. Antony orders Ventidius to kill Alexas when he tells him Cleopatra killed herself over his absence. Ventidius kills himself. Cleopatra finds Antony dying on his sword. They reconcile before Antony's death by proving her innocence. Cleopatra is poisoned on purpose. Serapion finds them dead, joined.

 

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