•Shakespeare's chief source for Antony and Cleopatra was Plutarch's 'Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans' translated by Thomas North
•Plutarch mainly presented mark Antony as vain and a desolate character, juxtaposed against the heroism and virtues of his compatriots; Shakespeare plays down these attributes for a more dramatic effect, choosing to make Antony more complex, three-dimensional and flawed character
•Shakespeare adapted the character of Enobarbus, who, according to Plutarch’s account, was a traitor to Antony who died in battle, to create a focal point for the theme of loyalty and to build to the tragic climax of the play
•Like Shakespeare, Plutarch portrays Octavius as being guided by fate; predestined to govern the world. Shakespeare, however, offers a darker side to Caesear’s Machiavellian tendencies, ignoring playful aspects of his character observed by Plutarch, such as that he enjoyed sports and fishing
•Though in Plutarch, Enobarbus is a minor character who is simply a traitor to Antony, Shakespeare significantly changes the role so that Enobarbus becomes a foil to Antony’s own tragedy
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