Synopsis:
Antony agrees to marry Caesar’s sister Octavia as a way of cementing the newly reestablished bond between the men. Enobarbus predicts that Antony will nonetheless return to Cleopatra.
Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra
Contents
Characters in the Play
Entire Play
Antony and Cleopatra tells the story of a romance between two powerful lovers: Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, and Mark Antony,…
Act 1, scene 1
Antony refuses to hear the messengers from Rome and declares that nothing matters but his love for Cleopatra.
Act 1, scene 2
Antony learns that Fulvia, his wife, has died. That and other news, especially news of Pompey’s threat to Caesar, make…
Act 1, scene 3
Cleopatra, after accusing Antony of hypocrisy and betrayal, gives him leave to depart from Egypt.
Act 1, scene 4
Octavius Caesar condemns Antony’s behavior in Egypt, and, in the face of attacks by Pompey, Menas, and Menecrates, he wishes…
Act 1, scene 5
Cleopatra receives a pearl and a message from Antony and resolves to send him a letter each day that he’s…
Act 2, scene 1
Pompey learns that Antony has left Egypt for Rome, and fears that Antony and Caesar will unite against him.
Act 2, scene 2
Antony agrees to marry Caesar’s sister Octavia as a way of cementing the newly reestablished bond between the men. Enobarbus…
Act 2, scene 3
Antony promises Octavia that he will henceforth live according to the rule. A Soothsayer advises Antony to keep his distance…
Act 2, scene 4
Lepidus sets off to do battle with Pompey, urging Maecenas and Agrippa to hasten the departures of Antony and Caesar.
Act 2, scene 5
Cleopatra learns of Antony’s marriage and, in her fury, beats the messenger who brought the news.
Act 2, scene 6
In a prebattle conference, Pompey is offered terms by Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus. After Antony thanks Pompey for his earlier…
Act 2, scene 7
At the feast on Pompey’s galley, Pompey refuses the suggestion that he kill his guests and thus become “lord of…
Act 3, scene 1
Having won a victory for Antony, Ventidius explains why it would be politically unwise to achieve further success. We learn…
Act 3, scene 2
Caesar and Octavia take a tearful farewell of each other, and Antony and Octavia depart for Athens.
Act 3, scene 3
Cleopatra is reassured by further description of Octavia.
Act 3, scene 4
At the news of Caesar’s hostile actions, Antony begins to prepare for war, but gives Octavia permission to go to…
Act 3, scene 5
With Caesar having imprisoned Lepidus, Caesar and Antony now divide the rulership of their world. Antony’s navy is prepared to…
Act 3, scene 6
Octavia arrives in Rome, to be told that Antony has left Athens for Egypt.
Act 3, scene 7
Over the pleading of his soldiers and officers and encouraged by Cleopatra, Antony decides to fight Caesar by sea.
Act 3, scene 8
Caesar orders his army to provoke no battle by land.
Act 3, scene 9
Antony sets his squadrons.
Act 3, scene 10
Antony turns his ship in mid-battle to follow Cleopatra’s flight. His officers begin to desert.
Act 3, scene 11
Antony, in despair over his action, accuses Cleopatra but then forgives her.
Act 3, scene 12
Caesar refuses to grant Antony’s petition for clemency, but he agrees to hear Cleopatra’s suit if she will banish or…
Act 3, scene 13
Antony has Thidias whipped for kissing Cleopatra’s hand, then makes plans to renew his battle with Caesar. Enobarbus decides to…
Act 4, scene 1
Caesar mocks Antony’s challenge to single combat and prepares for battle.
Act 4, scene 2
Antony asks his servants to tend him for a few more hours.
Act 4, scene 3
Antony’s soldiers standing guard hear music indicating that the god Hercules is leaving Antony.
Act 4, scene 4
Cleopatra and Eros arm Antony for battle.
Act 4, scene 5
Antony learns that Enobarbus has left, and sends Enobarbus’ chest and treasure to him in Caesar’s camp.
Act 4, scene 6
Enobarbus, faced with Caesar’s callousness and Antony’s generosity, realizes the magnitude of his fault in deserting Antony.
Act 4, scene 7
Antony and his soldiers rejoice in a victory.
Act 4, scene 8
Antony orders a march through Alexandria to celebrate their victory.
Act 4, scene 9
Enobarbus dies expressing his remorse for turning his back on Antony.
Act 4, scene 10
Antony places himself so that he can watch his galleys doing battle at sea.
Act 4, scene 11
Caesar orders his land forces to remain quiet unless attacked.
Act 4, scene 12
Antony watches as his ships desert him and join Caesar’s. He vows to kill Cleopatra, on whom he blames this…
Act 4, scene 13
Cleopatra, in terror, flees to her monument and sends Antony word that she is dead.
Act 4, scene 14
Antony, receiving the news that Cleopatra has taken her own life, orders Eros to kill him. Eros instead kills himself….
Act 4, scene 15
Antony is pulled up into the monument, where he dies.
Act 5, scene 1
Caesar expresses grief for Antony’s death. Fearing that Cleopatra will kill herself and thus prevent his displaying her in his…
Act 5, scene 2
While Proculeius is delivering Caesar’s message of comfort to Cleopatra, other of Caesar’s soldiers surprise and capture her. Dolabella enters…
⌜Scene 2⌝
Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.LEPIDUS
Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed,
And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
To soft and gentle speech.
ENOBARBUS I shall entreat him
5 To answer like himself. If Caesar move him,
Let Antony look over Caesar’s head
And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Were I the wearer of Antonio’s beard,
I would not shave ’t today.
LEPIDUS
10 ’Tis not a time for private stomaching.
ENOBARBUS Every time serves for the matter that is
then born in ’t.
LEPIDUS
But small to greater matters must give way.
ENOBARBUS Not if the small come first.
LEPIDUS
15 Your speech is passion; but pray you stir
No embers up. Here comes the noble Antony.
57
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
ENOBARBUS And yonder Caesar.
Enter, ⌜at another door,⌝ Caesar,
Maecenas, and Agrippa.
ANTONY, ⌜to Ventidius⌝
If we compose well here, to Parthia.
Hark, Ventidius.⌜They talk aside.⌝
CAESAR, ⌜to Maecenas⌝
20 I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.
LEPIDUS, ⌜to Caesar and Antony⌝ Noble friends,
That which combined us was most great, and let not
A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss,
May it be gently heard. When we debate
25 Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,
The rather for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to th’ matter.
ANTONY 30 ’Tis spoken well.
Were we before our armies, and to fight,
I should do thus.Flourish.
CAESAR Welcome to Rome.
ANTONY Thank you.
CAESAR 35Sit.
ANTONY Sit, sir.
CAESAR Nay, then.⌜They sit.⌝
ANTONY
I learn you take things ill which are not so,
Or, being, concern you not.
CAESAR 40 I must be laughed at
If or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you
Chiefly i’ th’ world; more laughed at, that I should
59
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
45 name
It not concerned me.
ANTONY
My being in Egypt, Caesar, what was ’t to you?
CAESAR
No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt. Yet if you there
50 Did practice on my state, your being in Egypt
Might be my question.
ANTONY How intend you, practiced?
CAESAR
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother
55 Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theme for you; you were the word of war.
ANTONY
You do mistake your business. My brother never
Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,
And have my learning from some true reports
60 That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours,
And make the wars alike against my stomach,
Having alike your cause? Of this my letters
Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel,
65 As matter whole you have to make it with,
It must not be with this.
CAESAR You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patched up your excuses.
ANTONY 70 Not so, not so.
I know you could not lack—I am certain on ’t—
Very necessity of this thought, that I,
Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought,
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
61
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
I would you had her spirit in such another.
The third o’ th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle
You may pace easy, but not such a wife.
ENOBARBUS Would we had all such wives, that the men
80 might go to wars with the women!
ANTONY
So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar,
Made out of her impatience—which not wanted
Shrewdness of policy too—I grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet. For that you must
85 But say I could not help it.
CAESAR I wrote to you
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.
ANTONY 90 Sir,
He fell upon me ere admitted, then;
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i’ th’ morning. But next day
I told him of myself, which was as much
95 As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.
CAESAR You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never
100 Have tongue to charge me with.
LEPIDUS Soft, Caesar!
ANTONY No, Lepidus, let him speak.
The honor is sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lacked it.—But on, Caesar:
105 The article of my oath?
CAESAR
To lend me arms and aid when I required them,
The which you both denied.
63
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
And then when poisoned hours had bound me up
110 From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may
I’ll play the penitent to you. But mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it. Truth is that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here,
115 For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honor
To stoop in such a case.
LEPIDUS ’Tis noble spoken.
MAECENAS
If it might please you to enforce no further
120 The griefs between you, to forget them quite
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you.
LEPIDUS Worthily spoken, Maecenas.
ENOBARBUS Or, if you borrow one another’s love for
125 the instant, you may, when you hear no more words
of Pompey, return it again. You shall have time to
wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.
ANTONY
Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more.
ENOBARBUS That truth should be silent I had almost
130 forgot.
ANTONY
You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
ENOBARBUS Go to, then. Your considerate stone.
CAESAR
I do not much dislike the matter, but
The manner of his speech; for ’t cannot be
135 We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
So diff’ring in their acts. Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to
edge
O’ th’ world I would pursue it.
65
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
CAESAR Speak, Agrippa.
AGRIPPA
Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side,
Admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.
CAESAR 145 Say not ⌜so,⌝ Agrippa.
If Cleopatra heard you, your ⌜reproof⌝
Were well deserved of rashness.
ANTONY
I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear
Agrippa further speak.
AGRIPPA
150 To hold you in perpetual amity,
To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
With an unslipping knot, take Antony
Octavia to his wife, whose beauty claims
No worse a husband than the best of men;
155 Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
That which none else can utter. By this marriage
All little jealousies, which now seem great,
And all great fears, which now import their dangers,
Would then be nothing. Truths would be tales,
160 Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both
Would each to other and all loves to both
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke,
For ’tis a studied, not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.
ANTONY 165 Will Caesar speak?
CAESAR
Not till he hears how Antony is touched
With what is spoke already.
ANTONY What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say “Agrippa, be it so,”
170 To make this good?
67
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
His power unto Octavia.
ANTONY May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
175 Dream of impediment. Let me have thy hand.
Further this act of grace; and from this hour
The heart of brothers govern in our loves
And sway our great designs.
CAESAR There’s my hand.
⌜They clasp hands.⌝
180 A sister I bequeath you whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly. Let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
Fly off our loves again.
LEPIDUS Happily, amen!
ANTONY
185 I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey,
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
Of late upon me. I must thank him only,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
At heel of that, defy him.
LEPIDUS 190 Time calls upon ’s.
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.
ANTONY Where lies he?
CAESAR About the Mount Misena.
ANTONY 195What is his strength by land?
CAESAR Great and increasing;
But by sea he is an absolute master.
ANTONY So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together. Haste we for it.
200 Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talked of.
CAESAR With most gladness,
69
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
Whither straight I’ll lead you.
ANTONY
205 Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.
LEPIDUS
Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me.
Flourish. All but Enobarbus, Agrippa, and
Maecenas exit.
MAECENAS, ⌜to Enobarbus⌝ Welcome from Egypt, sir.
ENOBARBUS Half the heart of Caesar, worthy
Maecenas!—My honorable friend Agrippa!
AGRIPPA 210Good Enobarbus!
MAECENAS We have cause to be glad that matters are so
well digested. You stayed well by ’t in Egypt.
ENOBARBUS Ay, sir, we did sleep day out of countenance
and made the night light with drinking.
MAECENAS 215Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast,
and but twelve persons there. Is this true?
ENOBARBUS This was but as a fly by an eagle. We had
much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily
deserved noting.
MAECENAS 220She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be
square to her.
ENOBARBUS When she first met Mark Antony, she
pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.
AGRIPPA There she appeared indeed, or my reporter
225 devised well for her.
ENOBARBUS I will tell you.
The barge she sat in like a burnished throne
Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold,
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
230 The winds were lovesick with them. The oars were
silver,
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water which they beat to follow faster,
71
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 2
235 It beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion—cloth-of-gold, of tissue—
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature. On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
240 With divers-colored fans, whose wind did seem
To ⌜glow⌝ the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.
AGRIPPA O, rare for Antony!
ENOBARBUS
Her ⌜gentlewomen,⌝ like the Nereides,
245 So many mermaids, tended her i’ th’ eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands
That yarely frame the office. From the barge
250 A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her; and Antony,
Enthroned i’ th’ market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th’ air, which but for vacancy
255 Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too
And made a gap in nature.
AGRIPPA Rare Egyptian!
ENOBARBUS
Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper. She replied
260 It should be better he became her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne’er the word of “No” woman heard speak,
Being barbered ten times o’er, goes to the feast,
And for his ordinary pays his heart
265 For what his eyes eat only.
AGRIPPA Royal wench!
73
Antony and Cleopatra
ACT 2. SC. 3
He ploughed her, and she cropped.
ENOBARBUS I saw her once
270 Hop forty paces through the public street,
And having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,
That she did make defect perfection,
And breathless pour breath forth.
MAECENAS
Now Antony must leave her utterly.
ENOBARBUS 275Never. He will not.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety. Other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies. For vilest things
280 Become themselves in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.
MAECENAS
If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessèd lottery to him.
AGRIPPA 285 Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.
ENOBARBUS Humbly, sir, I thank you.
They exit.
