All For Love
(John Dryden)
A Restoration response to Shakespeare?s ?Antony and Cleopatra,? John Dryden?s sentimental tragedy begins with Cleopatra?s retreat after the battle which cost Antony to lose the battle of Actium. Antony is accused by his general Ventidus for throwing away his empire for love and Antony decides to leave Cleopatra. However, after Cleopatra gets Antony back into her site, she convinces him of her love by showing how she refused an offer of peace from Octavius and has remained true to Antony throughout adversity. Antony declares his love for Cleopatra and returns to battle against the Roman Caesar. However, after winning a battle, his wife, Octavia attempts to sway Antony towards his own reconciliation with Octavius but he stays resolute in his resolve.
Octavius meets Cleopatra to convince her to make peace for Antony. He attacks her at her most vulnerable by declaring that she has ruined Antony and destroyed both his life and career through their relationship. Antony discovers their meeting and is jealous of Cleopatra?s relationship with his friend Dollabella and renounces them both. However, he hears that Cleopatra has committed suicide and in a fit of despair falls on his sword. At this moment, Cleopatra comes upon him and with his last breath they declare their everlasting love. Not long after Antony has expired, Cleopatra joins him by being killed by an asp and thus robs Octavius of his victory.
Dryden?s play lacks the passion of Shakespeare and is much more decorous and restrained by the age of enlightenment. Dryden also introduced a few new scenes to the play, including an encounter between the passionate Cleopatra and her rival, Octavia. Dryden, interested in a wider sweep of locations and dialogue with added wit and reason popular among the age of Enlightenment. Written at a time more known for its comedies than its tragedies, All For Love, though extremely popular at the time, remains less engaging a piece of theatre than Congreve?s satirical response to it.
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