Context:

The episode opens with a famous speech from Shakespeare's play describing Cleopatra's arrival at Tarsus to meet Mark Antony. The hosts discuss how Shakespeare's passage is based on Plutarch's account.

Context:

Referenced as the historical source that Shakespeare drew from for his depiction of Cleopatra's arrival at Tarsus. The hosts note that Shakespeare's version is 'almost word for word' from Plutarch, and later reference reading 'the Plutarch and the other accounts' for descriptions of banquets and events.