Antony and cleopatra notes
Compiled by: Michael Buhr
Act 1:
Scene 1:
-Set in Alexandra
-Philo expresses his shock at Antony’s behaviour
-Antony expresses love for Cleopatra but Cleopatra doesn’t
-Philo is used by Shakespeare to comment on Antony
-The conflict between love and power { [Antony is the triumvir][Cleopatra is the queen of Egypt]
-Antony is reluctant to return to the business of the day because he loves Cleopatra and wants to
spend time with her.
-Antony was in love with Cleopatra but married to Fulvia, which in roman times was not a marriage
of love but a political alignment to gain power for your family, as such it was not frowned upon to be
free (have intimate relationships) outside of your marriage but you had to be discreet about it, also
the roman culture was centred around the fact that work came before pleasure.
-Antony was not discreet about his love affair with Cleopatra
-Cleopatra was viewed as a whore by the Romans, and because of this view, Antony is not blamed by
the Romans for his behaviour because they believe that the only way a man, whom they view as the
greatest military general and a sophisticated roman could ever do what he is doing would be
because Cleopatra is tricking him and be-witching him. This represents the double standard still in
use to this day. (if a man sleeps around he is experienced if a woman does she is viewed as a slut)
-Antony is however blamed for shirking his duties and neglecting his role as a triumvir, this is
interesting because Cleopatra does not do this because by staying as a priority for Antony she allows
Egypt to retain its independence.
-In this scene, Cleopatra teases and mocks Antony about how, although Octavius Caesar is the
youngest of the Triumvirs he is the most powerful, this is also because Octavius controls Rome and
the European side of the world, therefore controlling the treasury, which still does this day
represents and is power
-Cleopatra teases Antony to engage the inner feeling he probably has of how he doesn’t like
Octavius telling him what to do, allowing her to gain more control over Antony and to make him feel
less appeal to the roman side in the constant power struggle between Rome and Egypt.
-Philo comments how Antony’s eyes(his centre of focus) which once focused on war, Rome and his
responsibilities now focus on a “tawny front” referring to Cleopatra’s skin colour and her breasts
-Philo proceeds to insult Cleopatra, again showing the generalised view of the Romans that
Cleopatra is in the wrong, speaking of her love, which is generally a good thing, as a “gipsy’s lust”
which refers to a treasonous nature, and a sense of a thief, which also can refer to how Rome sees
Cleopatra as someone who has ‘stolen’ Antony from them.
-Philo proceeds to say “you shall see him the triple pillar of the world transformed into a strumpet’s
fool” referencing how in the Romans’ eyes he is a fool for focusing only on Cleopatra, a ‘whore’, and
shirking/neglecting his responsibilities and obligations to Rome and its rule.
-Demetrius, similar in use to Philo, speaks of Cleopatra as a “common liar” again showing that it is
not only the powerful who dislike Cleopatra because of her interactions with Antony, but also the
common people, this “common liar” may be about how Cleopatra had relations with Julius Caesar
and how she seems to align with whoever might enhance her position, interesting because this is
something that the Romans did, but because she is a woman and Antony is married, it is frowned
upon.
-Cleopatra’s tone shows how she is not comfortable with the situation between Antony and Fulvia,
showing how the Roman propaganda Machine works, a technique that is used to this day.
-Cleopatra’s language, diction and tone, all indicate insecurity about whether Antony cares for her,
which is something you would usually see within a young relationship, however, it is there, this could
be because while Cleopatra keeps Antony in love with her, she can feel secure that Egypt will stay
independent, which makes sense, as Antony represents one-third of the roman power and a great,
influential military general.
-You will notice that although Antony often expresses his love in a highly profound form, Cleopatra
does not even declare her love or any feelings towards him.
-The conflict of love and power, is centred around and within Antony
Scene 2:
(complicated and unimportant according to Mr Kaplan)
-Cleopatra has bipolar nature, one-minute she’s happy and the next she is not, this may be due to
her ‘experienced’ belief that if you stay interesting and never feel or act the same as your partner
then he will be forever interested.
-Domitius Enobarbus is Antony’s right-hand man, this is a big responsibility because he plays a vital
role in helping influence Antony’s actions
-if Antony was not focused\distracted with Cleopatra the attack on Octavius Caesar by his wife Fulvia
and her death
-this scene is when we see the first embers of conflict which are the nature of Fulvia’s death \, which
is a threat to Antony’s power due to how she died, and Sextus Pompeius who is disrupting grain
transport from Egypt to Rome.
-Antony finds himself pulled in opposite directions, towards Rome because of his responsibilities and
obligations as a triumvir and towards Egypt because of his love and affair with Cleopatra.
-we realise with shock that Antony seems less than mournful of Fulvia’s death and instead seems
cold, hinting at his famous nature as a Roman general.
-We never see this ‘great general Antony’ that everyone is constantly talking about because this play
is mainly about his downfall from greatness.
-In this scene, we quickly realise that Cleopatra is one of the most carefully crafted of Shakespeare’s
characters. She is fully well rounded and is written to show all natures and states, like a whiteboard
which you constantly change, and she is written to be unpredictable.
-Rome presents itself in a false light as a coldly logical and conquering nation whereas we now know
that Rome was a place of indulgence in the dark and that most people were lazy. This is in contrast
to how Egypt portrays itself, as the truth, it is a nation of indulgence.
- Enobarbus speaks of Cleopatra as beautiful and powerful.
Scene 3:
-Cleopatra speaks of how if a person can cheat on someone else, they can then cheat on you.
-Cleopatra asks if she can believe the love of Antony who breaks his marriage vows with Fulvia.
-Cleopatra can be depicted and shown as unpredictable and insecure in how she attacks Antony.
-Cleopatra plays with Antony to stay unpredictable because when someone stays interesting love
works better. (Because men are attracted to the unknown)
-Cleopatra has extravagant theatrics.
-Cleopatra is a good representation of Egypt.
-Antony is a good representation of Rome (when Romans depict him as he was before Cleopatra).
-Antony and Cleopatra were products of their culture.
-Cleopatra worked off the belief that if she didn’t keep Antony on his toes she would lose him. (She
is right, this is how men get attracted).
-In this scene, Antony cuts through theatrics. (This refers to her insecure statements and how she is
extravagant in getting to her point)
-Antony expresses his loyalty towards Cleopatra and speaks of himself as her soldier.
Scene 4:
-The atmosphere of the scene feels completely different from scenes 1-3 because it is in Rome.
-Due to being in Rome the formality and register are completely different, this is done to create a
contrast between Egypt and Rome.
-The change in the atmosphere is also partly due to how Cleopatra rules compared to Octavius
Ceasar.
-Imbalance in triumvirs
-Lepidus placed himself between Antony and Octavius Ceasar { this means that he took both sides
and protected the other from the other] { this shows the weakness of character because he doesn’t
pick a side] { Lepidus makes weak arguments about defending Antony to Octavius and Octavious to
Antony]
-One of Lepidus’s main defences against Antony is that he had a bad past {this refers to how Antony
was common born and as such gained a reputation for drinking and whoring, Lepidus blames
everything that Antony does on that fact.
-Octavius Ceasar blames all the bad things that are happening to the roman empire on the absence
of Antony.
-It becomes official that Rome is going to war with Sextus Pompeius.
Rome
Antony
Egypt
pulled
pulled
pressed
Antony
pressed
Lepidus
pressed
Octavious Ceasar
pressed
-It becomes apparent that it is simply unwise for Antony to be doing what he is doing with Cleopatra
(something that was not forbidden but was looked down upon if it was not done discreetly)
-The question of whether powerful people can love.
-Because this scene is based in Rome there is elevated diction.
-Rome had a very stereotypical male perspective on things, women were allowed to have power,
but, they were not allowed to rule, Octavious remarks on how Cleopatra is ruling Egypt.
-Octavius ‘mocks’ Antony saying that he looks like a woman and Cleopatra looks like a guy, this also
refers to how Octavious was referring to how Antony is acting like a ‘woman’ and Cleopatra is acting
like a ‘man’.
-Becomes apparent that Octavious’ age was used as an excuse in anti-Octavious ‘movements’.
-Octavius remarks how when you are young you give in to your impulses, this remarks to how
Antony is acting young.
-Octavius remarks on ‘shameful’ actions.
Scene 5:
-Antony receives a pearl from Cleopatra.
-Cleopatra is delighted by Antony’s lack of reaction.
-Cleopatra decides she will send messages daily to Antony in Rome { this speaks of insecurity while
at the same time is a political manoeuvre allowing Cleopatra to keep her rule secure by keeping her
on Antony’s, a triumvir, mind.]
-the fact that she pines due to Antony’s leave shows real emotions.
-Cleopatra says she will depopulate Egypt just to allow her to send messages to Antony every day.
-Antony usually sits in conflict
-Lots of expressive punctuation marks are used within Cleopatra’s speech { this is due to how she is
intense when she speaks]
-In this scene, Cleopatra is remiss about what it was like to have sexual relations with Antony.
-Antony is called “demi-atlas” referencing how he bears one-third of the world on his shoulders.
-Cleopatra speaks of how she knows that she poisons herself with delightful poison.
+(serpent of the Nile was regarded as the lifeblood of Egypt and it was)
-Adult representation of pain in pleasure ^.
-Cleopatra acts in a very excessive fashion.
-When Cleopatra asks a servant about Julius Ceasar they seem to praise Ceasar in contrast with
Antony, however, Cleopatra wanted them to say, Antony. { Julius Ceasar was a much more stable
power whereas Antony’s position is much more unpredictable]
Act 2:
Scene 1:
-We meet Pompeius who is disrupting shipping and making a move against the triumvir.
-There is intentional\dramatic irony\hubris because Pompeius is confident in beating the triumvir.
-Pompeius makes notable remarks and observations on the Triumvirate. {Mena’s remarks about his
hopes that Octavious Ceasar will begin to fight, however, Pompeius shows his political by correctly
predicting that they will come together to fight against him instead.
-Takes place in Messina.
-We notice how Shakespeare compresses the time frame of the entire play.
-Pompeius understands the tension between Antony and Octavius Ceasar.
-We begin to see Pompeius as politically savvy (wily).
-Pompeius expresses his dislike towards Cleopatra and hints that Antony is being bewitched by
Cleopatra.
Scene 2:
-Antony arrives in Rome.
-Antony has a completely different attitude and demeanour.
-Agrippa speaks of how, Antony going back to Cleopatra is bad now, but if he goes back to Cleopatra
after he is married to Octavia it will be a completely different thing because then he will be
disrespecting Octavia and then by extension, he will be disrespecting a Triumvir, Octavious, and
Octavius will have to respond because of his status.
-Enobarbus gives an amazing description of Cleopatra, opposing Rome’s view, this is the first time
that a Roman has spoken of Cleopatra as anything but negatively connotated adjectives and
descriptions. He speaks of how she ran, but even then she seemed to become even more beautiful
-This makes Cleopatra appear different to other Queens and Kings because Queens don’t run.
-Agrippa is surprised by Enobarbus’ s description of Cleopatra, he did not expect beauty like this
from an Egyptian, highlighting how Roman propaganda portrayed Egyptians.
-Cleopatra’s personality and the culture she represents, Egypt, is in opposition to Roman values and
beliefs.
-Octavia is spoken of as discreet and virtuous, but this doesn’t mean that she is a virgin, this speaks
of how she is private in her affairs and upholds the roman view of honour.
-Agrippa speaks of how Antony did not support Fulvia and Lucius.
-Everyone wants Antony and Octavius to realise that there is very little damage done and that there
is still time to fix this relationship between them.
-Enobarbus and Agrippa speak less formally together because they are not the same rank as Antony
and Octavius, they also have greater honesty and integrity. They are not as ‘deep’ in terms of
characters.
-Speaks of how Antony was a common person but rose.
-Enobarbus speaks of how he is loyal to Antony and loves him but understands his faults.
Scene 3:
-The culture in Rome was that if you were discreet about your affairs you were allowed to do them.
-When Antony and Octavius are speaking Antony says he will not have sexual affairs or relationships
that are not discreet and says that he will respect Octavius in the Romans’ view of the term.
-Antony speaks to a soothsayer, and the soothsayer speaks of how Octavius Ceasar has a brighter
future than him and that in ‘games of chance’ Antony will lose, saying Antony should avoid Ceasar,
and that when Antony is with Octavius he will always be overshadowed. This gives Antony an excuse
and a reason to go back to Alexander.
-Because Antony went to this soothsayer and spoke to them it shows how he has a deep belief in the
spiritual world.
-This soothsayer changes Antony.
-This scene is where Antony’s decision to neglect his duties and responsibilities to Rome stems from.
-Antony cant go straight back to Alexander because that would be disrespectful to Octavius and
Rome, and it may jeopardise Antony’s position as a triumvir, on which Antony’s identity rests also
Antony likes his military reputation because it is what his identity rests on.
-Antony sends Ventidius to conquer Parthia.
-We see Antony’s foresight to fix his mistakes.
-We must note that Identity is everything to Antony and how different things motivate him and
Cleopatra.
Scene 4:
-useless
Scene 5:
-Messenger enters scared and fearful.
-Cleopatra learns about the engagement between Octavius and Antony from the messenger.
-Cleopatra strikes the messenger.
-Cleopatra then says that it was unprofessional to do that.
-Cleopatra dispatches a messenger to go and find out everything they can about Octavius.
~interesting how Cleopatra is portrayed by Cleopatra.
Scene 6:
-Takes place at Mount Misenum in Italy.
-Pompeius and the triumvirs meet.
-Wars in those times had rules, you spoke before the war to avoid conflict.
-War was considered honourable.
-Pompeius wants to avenge his father, someone who challenged Julius Ceasar.
-This shows that this is not a grab at power for power and that the triumvirs can cut a deal with
Pompeius.
-Triumvirs offer Pompeius Sicily and Sardinia, Sicily was a major producer of wheat for Rome and as
such was in a strong position.
-This deal is offered on the condition that Pompeius rids the Mediterranean of pirates and sends
taxes in the form of wheat to Rome.
-This takes care of Pompeius’s ego.
-The confrontation is resolved because of this deal.
-This is good news for Rome as wars are costly.
-It can be said that Pompeius took a backstep because of Antony being there.
-Pompeius comments that Antony seems changed and that Cleopatra has changed him
(fundamentally)
-Enobarbus and Menas speak, giving insight into the political marriage between Octavia and Antony.
-Octavia is seemingly ‘dry’ in contrast with Cleopatra.
-Menas seems to think that this is the perfect wife(Octavia).
-Menas seems saddened by this not turning into a war saying that Pompeius gave away his fortune.
-Menas and Enobarbus say that this resolution between Octavius Ceasar and Antony with the
marriage is going to be the reason that something bad happens because they speak of how Antony
will neglect Octavia and as such disrespect Octavius.
Scene 7:
-On Pompeius’s boat for celebration.
-The celebration is going well, and everyone is drunk.
~Menas does something that doesn’t historically happen.
-Menas suggests to Pompeius that they cast off, kill the three triumvirs and then make Pompeius
emperor.
-Pompeius is furious.
-If Menas had done this without asking Pompeius, Pompeius would have congratulated him and
would have felt fine with this because his honour, in the eyes of Roman culture would not have been
tarnished. This shows how much personal standards mattered in Roman culture.
-Pompeius is not upset with the action of killing the triumvirs, he is upset with the plotting of the
action.
-Menas feels disappointed.
~Plotting as a group is unhonourable but one person can do it without it being such. This is why the
plotting of the senate to overthrow Julius Ceasar was so condemned.
-This shows how important reputation is in this play.
-This scene shows the instability of politics, first there was going to be a war, then there was a deal
cut to resolve the possible war into peace and then there was the very real possibility of the
triumvirs being killed and Pompeius becoming emperor.
-This is the end of Act 2 and it seems that all issues are resolved and that there will be no more
conflict. This is intentional, it is structured like this so that the audience is shocked.
Act 3:
-Complex
-Fast political events that took years to unfold in reality but the time frame in this play has been
compressed by Shakespeare.
-We realise that Octavius wants to be emperor of Rome.
-Because of Julius Ceasar Rome does not allow for ambition and this could be a reason why we have
not yet seen Octavius Caesar’s ambition.
-Rome was once an expanding kingdom. Rome does not like the idea of a ‘monarchy’ because of
their last king. Rome’s last king abused his power and committed infanticide. There was an uprising
in Rome and the king was executed on tarpan rocks, Rome then vowed to never have a king again
and as such started a senate and began to expand which involved declarations of war on neighbours.
Julius Ceasar then crossed the Rubicon with his army and declared himself dictator for life, this is
because the Romans were fine with dictators as long as it meant that their generation wouldn’t be
the rulers. Dictators were considered benevolent, Julius Caesar’s actions revealed his ambition and
as such the senate plotted his assassination, plotting in large groups was considered very
dishonourable in Roman culture.
-We realise Octavius wants to become emperor.
~History tells us that Octavius becomes emperor Augustus.
-All the action in this act can be seen to stem from the fact that Antony cheats on Octavia, however,
we can also see how Octavius could have known this would happen and as such plotted for it to
happen so that he would have an excuse to make a move against Octavius.
-This act contains the first big battle, it is a famous historical naval battle.
-Shakespeare stays loyal to the historical facts but because this is Act 3 Antony and Cleopatra cannot
die.
-There is a fast breakdown of the relationship that was fixed between Antony and Cleopatra.
-There is a time distortion in the play so that Shakespeare may better focus on Antony and
Cleopatra.
-Antony’s reputation suffers but because people show you who they truly are at their lowest
moments his character deepens.
-We see how brilliant men, Antony, deal with mistakes.
-The reason Antony fails is because of Cleopatra, however, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing
because Cleopatra is someone whom we can see that Antony truly loves and as such the fact that
Antony fails because he stays true to his love should not be seen as a bad thing, Antony has a
revelation of his love.
-We see how Octavius ruthlessly pursues his prey, Antony and Cleopatra in this Act.
~Egypt and Rome are strongly contrasted, love and pleasure versus logic and reasoning.
-at this point, Octavius is still single and seems to be loveless.
-Our impressions of Egypt deepen.
-We begin to see Octavius as cold, ruthless and seemingly mechanical in nature.
-Octavius seems sterile, but he becomes more ‘experienced later in life.
-Egypt must not be condemned because it would not be a tragedy.
Scene 1:
-Move to Syria.
-This scene contains Antony’s victory at Parthia, in Act 2 Scene 3 lines 43-44.
-Important to note the location.
-This victory improves Antony’s reputation and extends the Roman empire.
-Romans loved when their empire was extended.
-Ventidius doesn’t want to push Parthia too far, because if he pushes too far he will overshadow
Antony which will force Antony to kill him.
-This is Antony’s victory, but if Ventidius pushes too far it becomes Ventidius’ s victory.
-If Ventidius gains a reputation for this victory it will become a threat to Antony.
-Antony’s increase in reputation because of this battle is a threat to Octavius Ceasar.
-This scene is critical for framing Act 3.
-Ventidius’s actions reveal conflict in honour and reflect to Minus’s plan to kill the triumvirs that he
told Pompeius. This shows how important honour is for Romans.
-Honour is related closely to perspective.
Scene 2:
-In Rome.
-Agrippa and Enobarbus.
-The most important discussions happen between the less important characters.
-Scenes move so quickly we need updates in the form of these important conversations.
-Octavius and Octavia are saddened by their separation.
-Lepidus is hungover, and Antony and Octavius mock Lepidus for this, calling him weak, this
reinforces Lepidus as being the weakest of the Triumvirs.
-Octavius warns/asks Antony not to disrespect his sister (This is important).
-Antony makes (false) assurances.
-Octavius speaks of building relationships.
Scene 3:
-Funny light scene.
-Messenger reports what Octavia looks like to Cleopatra, he speaks of her being a statue, not a
mmarble-likeshe was described by Romans, but a cold and ‘drab’ statue.
-The fact that Cleopatra behaves like this -being happy because the messenger has made Octavia
appear like something that will not rival her beauty- because she loves Antony.
Scene 4:
-Located in Athens (Greece).
-In this scene, we find out what Octavius has been up to.
-Octavius began a war on Pompeius with Lepidus.
-The important aspect of this is that he began it without Antony, this is because if Antony was with
him the Romans would have accredited Antony as the reason for this victory because Antony was
excluded from this war only Octavius is accredited. And as such Octavius gains more military
reputation.
-Antony is disrespected by this exclusion because now Octavius has slighted him.
-This scene talks of reputation, if Octavius had allowed Pompey to reign, he would have lost his
reputation for allowing him to try and rise against his power.
-Because Octavius won this battle he gains Pompeius’s navy, this is significant because Pompeius
had a very large navy.
-This scene allows us to see Octavius’s ambition.
-Octavius has been speaking slander about Antony.
-This contradicts Octavius’s statements about creating relationships with Antony.
-Octavia volunteers to go to Rome to find out why Octavius has done all this.
-Antony does not go with her; this is a huge mistake on his part.
-Antony says that Octavia may return in any way she wishes (meaning if she wanted she could have
gone with 50 000 servants, because she is a triumvirs wife, or she could have gone with an army)
-Octavia chooses to return with none of the fanfare that is offered to her and instead chooses to go
to Rome low-key.
-Octavia shows loyalty to Antony through these actions.
Scene 5:
-Lepidus is imprisoned by Octavius for conspiring with Pompeius, this is based on a letter Lepidus
wrote to Pompeius.
-Lepidus is denied all the spoils of the war against Pompeius, as such Octavius Ceasar gains both
Pompeius’s naval fleet and Lepidus’s power and wealth.
-This is a grab for power by Octavius Ceasar.
-Antony is heard to be shouting, and angry at Lepidus for not seeing this coming, this hints at why
Antony may not have accompanied Octavia to Rome.
-One of the triumvirs is now gone.
Scene 6:
-In Rome.
-Antony and Cleopatra are exchanging territories. (This is something the king and queen usually do)
-Octavius is disrespected that his sister, the wife of a triumvir arrives unattended.
-The fact that Octavia chose to slip in quietly has become something that is to the detriment of
Antony, which contradicts what Octavia is trying to do.
-Octavia stays loyal to Antony and argues for him, saying that he loves her, this is until Octavius tells
her what Antony has done.
-Antony has moved back to Alexandra and is publicly acting like king and queen with Cleopatra.
(Alexandra is his most powerful location, it makes sense for him to return here because he realised
Octavius’s ambition)
-We can see how Octavius is a cold and calculating opportunist.
-The reason that Octavius attacked Antony is that he was giving her Roman territories, this would
have made the Romans angry because of how much they liked to have such a large amount of
territories.
-Octavius disparages Antony and Cleopatra (Rude about them, disrespects them).
-We can see how aware Octavius is about perception and its importance of it.
-The fact that Octavia arrives in such a ‘common’ way, makes Octavius seem less important.
-We see a hint of Octavius’s ambition.
-Octavius considers the fact that Octavia is his sister to be more important than Antony’s wife, this
speaks of arrogance.
-The adjective of “noble” Antony has become “adulterous” Antony.
Scene 7:
-This is the preparation for the battle of Actium.
-Antony is addressed as an emperor which is the same as what Octavius is called, this reinforces the
conflict between the two of them.
-This drives home the point about the fact that this is what the war is about -who will be Rome’s
emperor-.
-We see Antony ignore the good advice to fight on land because that is where his strength is, instead
we see Antony get blinded by love after Cleopatra says her navy added to Antony’s will outnumber
Octavius’s navy.
-Antony might be afraid of hurting Cleopatra by telling her that they will fight on land instead of the
sea because she offered her navy, he doesn’t realise that he could fight both by land and by sea, the
old Antony might have realised that however, he is the new Antony.
-There is a strong narrative of how Cleopatra distracts Antony, this is true because Antony has been
distracted by Cleopatra saying that they should fight at sea because, with her and Antony’s navy,
they outnumber Octavius’s navy.
-Antony takes advice from Cleopatra although she has no battle experience and has never been at
war.
-Enobarbus and Cleopatra disagree on whether or not she should be at the battle or should she stay
back. Enobarbus argues that she will distract Antony, while Cleopatra says she has a valued interest
in the outcome of this battle because it is her navy both are true points.
-Enobarbus s informational insights should be heeded because he has never been wrong and being
Antony’s right-hand man he has the most insight into the relationship between Cleopatra and
Antony.
-Enobarbus brings a common solider to Antony -Shakespeare reserved the most important insights
and remarks for the more ordinary characters- this solider pleads with Antony, saying that they
should fight on land. Enobarbus does this to reinforce the fact that the best course of action for
Antony is to fight on land.
-The solider speaks of his distaste for being led by a woman.
-This scene all leads to the fact that Antony will be disadvantaged at sea and speaks of the
soothsayer’s prophecy that if Antony comes up against Octavius in a game of chance he will always
lose.
-So far Octavius has conquered everything in his path.
-The tragedy is that love is a distraction and that triumvir can’t have distractions, Shakespeare is
eluding to the fact that love is something that the triumvir cannot love.
-Canidius also speaks of a dislike for their leader being led.
-There is a clear discontent with Cleopatra’s involvement in this battle.
-This scene is anti-climatic because it builds up to this battle, however, the battle happens off-stage
and the audience never gets to see it.
Scene 8:
-Octavius Ceasar tells Taurus not to provoke a land battle with Antony until they have won by sea.
Scene 9:
-Antony monitors Octavius’s moves on land, there is no movement. There is a movement towards
the sea though.
Scene 10:
-We do not see the battle as such we instead receive a report by Scarus, Canidius and Enobarbus.
-The battle was anybody’s and the scales were slightly tipping in Antony’s favour when Cleopatra’s
ships turned and fled. (This would have created a huge loss for their navy as they would have had
their undefended backs to
-Antony’s ships were forced to follow Cleopatra, the Romans would have seen this as Antony being a
coward however it was a choice forced upon him.
-Cleopatra should not be blamed for deciding to retreat because she has no experience in battle
however she should be blamed for not listening to Enobarbus s advice not to come to the battle.
-Canidius and other allies have defected to Octavius’s army -this was seen as fine as long as it was
done after a battle and not during or before one however later in Scene 12 Cleopatra’s ships do this
in the middle of a battle-Enobarbus remains loyal despite many things telling him not to.
-This is the most important defeat as it paves the way for Antony’s downfall.
-It was awful for the land forces to watch such a battle happen because they could have won on
land.
-Antony’s reputation suffers heavily.
Scene 11:
-Antony is ashamed and feels as if he has betrayed himself.
-When Cleopatra tries to counsel him, he speaks of his past glory.
-When Antony asks why Cleopatra left him in the middle of the battle she reasoned that she didn’t
expect him to follow, which then raises the question of whether she was leaving him behind.
-Antony realises he is a coward and has to sue for peace, this would have been a huge blow to
Antony’s ego because of how young Octavius Ceasar is in comparison to him (The old hates to bow
down to the new)
-Antony is now in a very weak position and his life is in danger.
-Octavius makes sure everyone knows that Antony is a coward for retreating.
-Octavius cannot just defeat Antony, he must also utterly humiliate him because if he is just plain
defeated and killed Antony’s allies would rise against him.
-Antony has made a huge mistake.
-The audience begins to feel empathy for Antony because he is in pain.
-Cleopatra is subdued in this scene, her main reason is fear of what this means for her and Egypt
because of their defeat.
-Antony gets stuck in a cycle of how he was so great and therefore cannot believe what he has done.
Scene 12:
-In Octavius Caesar’s camp.
-A messenger arrives from Egypt for Octavius.
-This messenger is from both Antony and Cleopatra.
-This message contains all of Antony and Cleopatra’s wishes within the suing for peace. (this was
allowed)
-Antony wants to remain in Egypt or Athens as an ordinary man (He would not have been ordinary
even if this was agreed to, he would have been a rich man still)
-Antony’s terms represent how he realises he is over.
-Cleopatra requests that her decedents be able to rule Egypt. (This would have been either a bastard
with Julius Caesar or a bastard with Antony, both of which are powerful bloodlines)
-Cleopatra’s terms speak of her concern for Egypt and highlight how she always puts Egypt first. (She
always want Egypt to be independent of the Roman empire)
-Cleopatra acknowledges that she will no longer be the queen of Egypt.
-Octavius Caesar denies all of Antony’s demands but offers Cleopatra an audience on the terms that
she either kills Antony or expels him from Alexander.
-Octavius dispatches Thidias to convince Cleopatra because he wants her to betray Antony, this
would be the perfect solution for Octavius because he would then have Antony gone and no one
would rise against him, he would also have a reason to conquer Egypt because they would have
killed a great roman and as such all Romans would support his decision to do this. (He would gain a
very powerful territory because how Egypt is the main supplier of grain and a powerful trading
position in the Mediterranean)
-The demands of both Antony and Cleopatra do seem to be arrogant.
-Antony is still considered a powerful roman general and as such Octavius needs to utterly humiliate
him.
-Octavius is allowed to openly plot against Antony like this because he is a triumvir, but Pompeius
was not allowed to because he was not a triumvir.
-Octavius is revealed as cold and ruthless because he has known Antony his whole life and yet does
not want Antony to retain anything, instead, he wants to utterly destroy him.
-It is imperative that Antony dies a humiliating death for Octavius to rule as emperor of the roman
empire.
-This loss for Antony and Cleopatra seems to be because of Antony’s indulgence and pleasure.
Scene 13:
-Enobarbus does not blame Cleopatra for the defeat because he said before the battle that she
would distract Antony.
-Enobarbus criticises Antony saying he should follow logic instead of his heart.
-Antony rejects Octavius’s decision and challenges Octavius to single combat. (Entire wars could end
like this, saving thousands from death)
-Enobarbus decides that if he remains loyal to Antony he might be able to attack Octavius if he kills
Antony.
-Thidias tells Cleopatra that Octavius will align with her if she gives up Antony. Thidias suggests that
Cleopatra only aligned with Antony because of fear (fear of what would happen if she didn’t have a
powerful roman on her side so that she could keep Egypt independent) and not out of love.
-Cleopatra’s response to this seems to confirm our doubt about Cleopatra’s feelings towards Antony.
-Cleopatra appears to submit to Octavius’s demands (Possibly to protect Egypt) and is flattering
towards Octavius.
-If Cleopatra was to outright reject Octavius’s proposal then Octavius would know that the love she
has for Antony is real and as such would capture Antony, giving him a hold over Cleopatra and Egypt
in turn, as well as removing Antony as a threat to him.
-Octavius’s proposal to Cleopatra seems to contain an innuendo that he is open to seduction in that
he will protect Egypt (This may not be the case as it is second-hand information through Thidias).
-Cleopatra’s response is willing and complacent.
-Enobarbus hears Cleopatra’s conversation with Thidias and feels as if Cleopatra is betraying Antony
and goes to tell Antony about this betrayal.
-Enobarbus was always a little sceptical of Cleopatra’s relationship with Antony.
-Antony is incensed that Cleopatra would betray him, he is also infuriated by this because if she was
to betray him now it means he was also betrayed by her in the battle of Actium.
-Antony has Thidias whipped.
-Cleopatra tells Antony that she would never betray him, she talks about how an apocalyptic future
should befall Egypt and all her children murdered and everyone she loves if she betrays Antony.
-Antony is satisfied with this explanation and reasoning from Cleopatra, this is because we as the
audience and Antony know how much Egypt means to her.
-Enobarbus thinks there is a lack of logic in Antony’s forgiveness of Cleopatra.
-The fact that she expresses herself like this is hinting at the fact that she does have feelings for him
(Possibly love).
-Antony decides that they should celebrate Cleopatra’s birthday (This is a little bit strange, to be
celebrating after they have just lost an important battle (of which the defeat can be blamed on
Cleopatra’s ignorance))
-Antony decides that they will attack the land (The sense that it is too late comes to mind).
-The fact that the battle is the next day makes a person concerned that this celebration will lead to
defeat because although the Egyptian soldiers may be used to fighting after a huge celebration with
hangovers, the Roman soldiers are not. Roman culture of duty before pleasure would have dictated
that they spent the evening planning and strategizing and then got an early night’s rest to be ready
for the next day’s fight.
-Enobarbus who is watching Antony’s decision to party feels as if Antony’s mind is slipping, as always
Enobarbus should be listened to, as he is never wrong.
-For the first time we see Enobarbus feeling as if he should abandon his master.
-Although Antony’s behaviour is courageous it is hubris, and pride comes before the fall.
-In the preparation for the battle the next day Antony acts more like the great general we heard he
was.
Act 4:
Scene 1:
-There is a gloomy and resigned tone, except when we are with Octavius.
-This scene takes place in Octavius’s campsite outside Alexander.
-Octavius laughs at Antony’s challenge to single combat.
-Maecenas advises Octavius Ceasar to use Antony’s rage against him because when a person is
angry, they do not think logically.
-There is no doubt in Octavius’s mind that Antony will fall and that there will be no more battles
after this.
-Octavius is presented as confident, this is not hubris though.
-Act 3 was about Antony and Cleopatra’s failures and the opening of Act 4 reinforces that.
Scene 2:
-Enobarbus informs Antony that Octavius Ceasar refuses to fight him in single combat.
-Octavius believes that a one-on-one would be unnecessary because he is so confident in winning.
-Antony gives a morbid and gloomy speech that speaks of how he will die tomorrow and is saying
goodbye to his servants, asking that they serve him one last time.
-Antony acts like a man preparing for death.
-The gloom and feeling of the certain destruction of Antony continue in this scene.
-Enobarbus rebukes Antony for such a morbid speech.
-Enobarbus reacts sincerely and seems to mourn for Antony, revealing his deep love for Antony (This
is an interesting thing because of how Enobarbus is considering leaving Antony).
Scene 3:
-Takes place outside the palace.
-Antony’s soldiers hear strange music coming from underground and believe is the music of Hercules
after which Antony modelled himself.
-It is strange and otherworldly music and creates supposition among the soldiers, they believe that
Hercules has abandoned Antony.
-The patronage of gods was a common thing, and the Elizabethan audiences would have taken this
as a very bad sign of Antony’s now inevitable defeat.
-This scene fits with the theme of the soothsayers.
-Enobarbus loves Antony as a man but has conflicts with him as a leader.
~Shakespeare often had otherworldly elements in his plays.
Scene 4:
-Eros and Cleopatra help Antony dress for war.
-Antony is confident about the battle and says he will use rage against anyone who would dare to
remove his helmet before the battle is over.
-Antony gives Cleopatra a soldier’s goodbye (A kiss that can be rebuked).
-Antony’s goodbye has a tone of being mechanical and is similar to how he said goodbye to
Cleopatra in Act 1 when he went off to Rome to fix things.
-Cleopatra’s words after Antony leaves create a sense of foreboding about the seemingly inevitable
destruction of Antony.
Scene 5:
-Antony wishes to oppose Octavius on land.
-A soldier comments that if he had done this for the first battle, he would still be able to count
Enobarbus as his ally.
-This is the first that Antony has heard of his desertion and it truly shocks him.
-The effect on the audience that Enobarbus left Antony is shocking and reinforces the feeling that
Antony will fail.
-Eros points out that Enobarbus left all his wealth behind (As a right-hand man to such a successful
man such as Antony he would have collected quite a large amount).
-The fact that Enobarbus left his wealth behind shows a conflicted position before he left (He left
because Cleopatra distracts Antony and because Antony has changed however he loves Antony)
-Antony orders that it is to all be sent directly to Enobarbus along with his good wishes and his
understanding of why Enobarbus did this.
-Antony’s reaction to Enobarbus leaving is merit worthy instead of rage or betrayal one might be
tempted to respond with. (Antony does not seek retribution)
-Eros takes Enobarbus’ s place as right-hand man to Antony (there is still the probability of success).
Scene 6:
-Octavius’s camp before the battle.
-Octavius orders that the vanguard is comprised of soldiers who have deserted Antony.
-This is a cruel and cunning action because it makes it seem as if Antony is fighting with himself and
shows everyone that if you are loyal to him from the beginning you will be rewarded, this is shown
through the fact that Octavius’s supporters from the beginning are not in the Vanguard and will not
bear the brunt of the battle and less of them will die.
-Octavius is determined to humiliate Antony utterly.
-Enobarbus receives treasure from Antony and is overcome by shame and guilt and declares that he
would rather die than fight against Antony in the upcoming battle.
-Enobarbus killing himself is a dishonourable thing and will mean that his name will be forgotten.
-Enobarbus s sole focus is on how he betrayed Antony and he cannot acknowledge all the good
things he has done up until this point.
Scene 7:
-Agrippa calls for the troops to retreat, declaring that Antony’s forces have exceeded expectations.
-Antony has won the battle.
-Scarus a general on the battlefield who despite being grievously injured wants to push their
advantage and pursue the retreating force, however, they are called back by Antony (This is another
blunder on Antony’s part).
-Octavius’s forces have merely been reduced not destroyed.
-Scarus is Antony’s new number-one general and was a huge factor in the victory of this battle.
-This victory was unprecedented because of the sense of foreboding before this point.
-Antony is brilliant when not distracted.
-These shares similarities with Act 2 because it speaks of fixing mistakes, starting with Antony’s
beautiful reaction to Enobarbus’ s desertion.
Scene 8:
-Antony’s forces are not completely defeated and he promises to defeat Octavius the following day.
-Cleopatra, comes out of her palace where she has been for the battle and declares her love as the
only thing that can pierce Antony’s heart (Interesting because it is his love for her that leads him to
stab himself in the heart).
-Cleopatra congratulates Scarus and gives him a suit of solid gold.
-Antony leads the troops on a triumphant march through Alexander.
-Cleopatra is exuberant about this victory, because if they win this war and Antony becomes
emperor she will become his queen and rule with him, also it will secure her rule of Egypt and keep
it independent.
-Antony does not take credit for the battle even though he could have as he did with his victory in
Parthia, this makes him “noble” again.
-Antony’s praise for his soldiers is necessary and generous.
-Antony declares his love for Cleopatra in a similar way to when he spoke of being tied to her
rudders, however, that was in defeat, this is in victory.
-There is a tone of celebration and joy.
-Antony is large and grand in the way he presents himself as victorious.
Scene 9:
-The next day at Octavius’s camp.
-Sentries are discussing the coming battles.
-Enobarbus stubbles past, falls into a ditch and dies.
Scene 10:
-Antony’s camp.
-Antony declares himself ready to fight Octavius by sea because he thinks that is what he will do.
Scene 11:
-Octavius says they will fight Antony at sea.
Scene 12:
-Antony is watching the battle at sea.
-Scarus, aside, condemns Cleopatra’s fleet as weak. He also notes that the soothsayers have refused
to comment on the outcome of this battle (warning).
-This aside from Scarus holds the key to this scene, making the audience feel a sense of foreboding.
-In calling the Egyptian fleet weak he speaks of their cowardice to betray Antony in the middle of the
battle, it is cowardice because it is to ensure the survival of Egypt.
-This betrayal should not surprise us, because Cleopatra has always put duty before the pleasure of
love when it comes to Egypt and although Antony constantly suffers a conflict between duty and
love Cleopatra has never suffered from this and has always put her duty to Egypt first.
~how does one betray someone they love? (this question speaks to our constant doubt about
whether or not Cleopatra truly loves Antony)
-Scarus realises that this battle determines Antony’s future and Scarus speaks of reputation.
-Antony watches in absolute despair as the Egyptian fleet betrays him and defects to Octavius
Ceasar (This is in the middle of a battle and would have been considered dishonourable in the eyes
of any Roman, however, it was not done to them and as such it is not considered dishonourable) and
turns against his ships, destroying him.
-Realising the danger, Antony commands Scarus to order his army to flee.
-Antony names Cleopatra a deadly enchantress who has beguiled him to a state of absolute loss.
-Cleopatra arrives, and Antony drives her away, threatening to kill her for this betrayal.
-Antony has lost everything, he is now at the mercy of Octavius Ceasar, he cannot turn to Cleopatra
because of this horrendous betrayal and his love has died.
-Antony’s reaction to this betrayal is complex, first love is replaced by horrified anger at Cleopatra,
then that anger is replaced with fury at himself for allowing this to happen (This happened at the
battle of Actium when Cleopatra’s ships fled), then it changes to him feeling as if he has betrayed
himself by allowing Cleopatra to make a fool out of him and for his fall from greatness.
-When Antony went back to fix his mistakes in Rome we learnt how important perspective is to him.
Now we see how everyone’s perspective of him changes to that of both a coward and a fool, for
fleeing (He did not flee or run, he simply followed, however, it would have been seen by the Romans
as running) at the battle of Actium and for trusting Cleopatra again (Speaks again of how powerful
people (triumvirs) cannot love because it is a dangerous distraction).
-Antony’s vitriolic words towards Cleopatra show how he has lost his once deep love for her, it also
may be him trying to convince himself that he does not love her anymore.
-Antony Speaks of how Cleopatra will be paraded around Rome as a used whore.
-Antony’s language seems to reflect the language of all Romans when they spoke of Cleopatra and
what she was doing to Antony.
~Cleopatra must not be destroyed as a character we care for because Shakespeare wants you to feel
just as bad for Cleopatra’s death as for Antony’s, if not worse.
Scene 13:
-This scene is located at Cleopatra’s palace.
-Cleopatra returns to the maids horrified by Antony’s murderous rage we must understand this
reaction because, at the battle of Actium after her first betrayal, she managed to calm him down.
-All this is happening very quickly for Cleopatra.
-Charmian suggests that Cleopatra hides in the monument and sends word to Antony that she has
killed herself. This is done because Charmian believes that it will cool Antony’s feelings.
-In this instance Cleopatra does not consider how deep Antony’s love flows, this is because of fear,
Antony was deadly serious about killing her.
-The actions undertaken by Cleopatra in this decision are fitting of her grandiose character and her
exaggerated performances.
-Cleopatra sends Mardian to deliver news and report on how Antony reacts (This is a recurring
theme as we have often seen Cleopatra sending maids and servants to keep her informed on
Antony’s movements and feelings).
-Incredible pace.
-Shakespeare is trying to capture the grandness of all this action, this is because it is not just a
tragedy of two lovers, but a tragedy of two very powerful people (queen of Egypt and a very
powerful triumvir) who loved and because of this love had to die.
-Shakespeare is trying to emphasize the fact that powerful people are not allowed to love.
-Some of the things said and the way certain things are done create a clunky nature, this is all trying
to emphasize the grand nature of and the powerful position of Antony and Cleopatra.
-Cleopatra’s fake suicide is very theatrical.
-Cleopatra is blinded by her fear and does not remember that Antony is a man who is quick to anger,
with a hot temper, Cleopatra has received this anger before and knows this, we have seen her ability
to deal with Antony’s anger at the battle of Actium when she reconciled him afterwards that she did
love him.
-We receive no explanation of whether or not Cleopatra betrayed Antony or why she did it.
-The idea of the betrayal is important, and the reasons why are not important.
-The fact that Antony loses his love for Cleopatra is not a surprise, if someone loves someone and
there is a betrayal our emotions can disappear.
Scene 14:
-Cleopatra’s palace.
-Antony is getting dressed and ready to kill Cleopatra, and Eros is helping prepare for this.
-Antony speaks of how he doesn’t know who he is, he was a great military general and a grand lover
and now he can be neither and this is directly linked to Cleopatra’s betrayal.
-Antony’s wording makes it clear that he feels as if the only way for him to gain the little honour he
has left is to kill Cleopatra and then himself, it is clear that he will kill himself.
-We understand Antony’s desire to kill Cleopatra, due to our understanding of how powerful
perception is to his character.
-Antony was the most powerful and dangerous man, even out of the triumvir, because of his
reputation as a great military genius and his powerful influence because of this, we saw this in
Pompeius’s reaction towards Antony arriving to help deal with him compared to his reaction to the
rest of the triumvirs.
-This betrayal to the Romans makes him a fool, however, can a person who trusts someone they love
ever be truly considered to be a fool? Again it speaks of how powerful people cannot love.
-Mardian arrives and informs Antony that Cleopatra is dead, having killed herself and that her last
words were Antony’s name (this is a highly manipulative form of emotional blackmail).
-Antony is overcome with remorse for his actions and words towards Cleopatra and although this
may be a reason he asks Eros to kill him it is not the sole reason, the main reason Antony kills himself
because of how it was seen as honourable and because he must die by a Roman sword and cannot
allow himself to be captured alive by Octavius Ceasar.
-Eros fails to kill Antony, instead electing to kill himself.
-Antony sees this as honourable and praises Eros for doing what he could not.
-Antony falls on his sword.
-Antony fails to kill himself properly and calls for the guards to come and finish what he has failed to
do, the guards will not do so and elect to leave him.
-Decretas takes the sword with which Antony killed himself with.
-Diomedes rushes in and tells Antony that Cleopatra is not in fact dead, but it is too late.
-Antony orders his guards to take him to Cleopatra so that he may have his last kiss with her.
-Antony’s state at the beginning of this scene is fragile, he is resolved to go and kill someone he once
loved above his duty, at the same time he realises that he is finished and must die.
-Antony is a fool no matter how he looks at it, he was betrayed by Cleopatra once before at the
battle of Actium and became a coward because he ran, now because he trusted her again he is a
fool.
-Antony’s identity is fragmented.
-Antony cannot live with himself but must kill Cleopatra to retain what little nobility he has left to his
name.
~When great/powerful people where defeated (in the roman view) it was considered that they must
end their own life because that was the noble and honourable thing to do.
-Antony realises that he cannot have a noble future anymore, but he can have a noble death.
-Antony’s change of focus one he learns Cleopatra is dead is instantaneous.
-Antony must die by a roman hand, either his own or another, but it must be roman.
-Antony cannot live as betrayed and defeated fool that Octavius will use to parade in Rome as a
symbol of his victory.
-Antony’s love reappears, again triumphing over all else, ensuring that he focuses solely on joining
Cleopatra in the afterlife as swiftly as possible.
~The afterlife went beyond just a belief, it was a fact to Antony and Cleopatra that there was an
afterlife, the symbolism of the afterlife was and is still a very prominent in Egyptian culture, you
would be buried with everything you needed in the afterlife, it was believed that all where ordinary
in the afterlife and all did task of such ordinary nature. Because of this powerful people where
buried with tools and riches and everything they might ever need.
-Antony speaks of how he made wars for Cleopatra, this is true, the entire war between Antony,
Cleopatra and Octavius Ceasar was because Antony abandoned his duty to the Roman empire
because of his love for Cleopatra.
Scene 15:
-They are dragging Antony towards the monument.
~Shakespeare intends it to be played so that Cleopatra is high up, she cannot be close to the ground,
otherwise the Symbolism of Cleopatra still retaining some power (Because of her betrayal) whereas
Antony has nothing left cannot be properly shown. In addition to this it is also the simple reason that
you cannot have a monument scene without Cleopatra being high up.
-Diomedes calls to Cleopatra to announce that Antony has been brought to her.
-Cleopatra and Antony call to each other.
-Cleopatra does not wish to open the sealed monument and come down to Antony, this is because
she has the same fear as Antony of being captured, we must not let the fact that she does not come
down for him hinder our view of her true feelings of love towards Antony which are about to be
revealed.
-Cleopatra orders him to be heaved/pulled up un his shield.
~This would have been incredibly painful for Antony, since he would have been knocked around by
the trip up and he has a huge gash in him (The action of him being brought up on his shield is
perfectly reasonable in terms of whether or not it could be done, Roman shields where large
rectangular sheets of metal).
-All of Antony’s feeling’s towards Cleopatra’s betrayal fall away, it is easy to become hooked onto
the betrayal and see little else, but the betrayal doesn’t truly matter, what matters is the last
moments between Antony and Cleopatra as powerful people in love (If we overlook the fact that
Cleopatra loves Antony because of her betrayal it cannot be a tragedy).
-Because Cleopatra is a dramatic person, when Antony dies we expect long speeches and huge
declarations of love, but the fact that she speaks so little about his death shows how deep her love
for him truly is, it is not false dramatic love, it is true and deep love.
-Cleopatra lack of words shows how utterly destroyed she is by Antony’s death.
-Cleopatra’s reaction finally confirms her love for Antony, making it a true tragedy because she can
only say it when he is dead.
-When we do receive an explanation confirming Cleopatra’s betrayal of Antony it is brief, this is
because it should not shock us that she has placed her duty to Egypt before her love for Antony.
Cleopatra has never had any uncertainty about what she should pick between duty and love, she has
always put her duty to Egypt first and as such her betrayal is not something shocking.
-To Antony all that matters to him now is that he kisses Cleopatra and that he is his own conqueror,
meaning no one has conquered him (This is referring to him being imprisoned or publicly executed
by Octavius Ceasar, which would have made Octavius Antony’s conqueror).
-Antony uses some of his last words to tell Cleopatra to trust Proculeius.
-Antony dies.
-Cleopatra now finally reveals her love for him, creating the tragedy of two powerful people in love.
-Cleopatra declares that they must bury Antony in Roman fashion and then that she must seek her
own death as well.
-It is important to remember that this relationship has been going on for years without Cleopatra
declaring her love for Antony, so it is a heavy thing that she can only say it now that he is dead.
-Cleopatra speaks of life going dark.
Act 5:
Scene 1:
-Octavius’s camp.
-Octavius orders Dolabella to deliver a message to Antony that he has been commanded to
surrender (This is dramatic irony to show that Octavius does not realise Antony is dead).
-Decretas enters carrying Antony’s sword wich is dripping in Antony’s blood.
-Octavius questions why not Decretas has appeared before him in such a manner.
-Decretas declares himself a loyal servant of Antony who now wishes to serve Octavius.
-Octavius questions why Decretas would switch sides now (Again using dramatic irony to show
Octavius doesn’t know that Antony is dead now).
-Decretas declares that Antony has died by his own hand.
-Octavius notes that Antony’s death should be mourned.
-Octavius’s response is important because it shows is strong sense of honour and nobility (A true
Roman).
-Agrippa is the one to note the irony that a man they tried so hard to defeat is now someone who
they shall mourn for.
-Octavius speaks of how one third of the word is gone, he is very aware of how his reaction is not
just important to being a good roman but also because the Romans who have waged war against
Antony until now would see it as the noble thing to treat Antony’s death properly, because he was a
great man who added a lot to the roman Empire and to disrespect him now would give him a bad
reputation and turn Romans against him.
-Octavius’s reaction does not mean his feeling’s towards Antony have all of a sudden changed,
although he grew up with Antony around him all the time because Antony was Julius Ceasar right
hand man, instead he is just doing what is deemed as proper.
-Octavius is shocked that the death of such a powerful man was not signalled and that he didn’t
know.
-A messenger arrives from Cleopatra asking what his plans for her are, Octavius tells the messenger
he will be kind to her and reassures her.
-Octavius then shows his cold nature and intelligent by sending Proculeius (Someone Antony told
Cleopatra to trust) to take some of his swiftest ment to go and capture Cleopatra and to stop her
from killing herself.
-Octavius wants to take Cleopatra as a trophy to Rome to emphasize his victory in Rome.
Scene 2:
-In the monument that Cleopatra is currently within.
-Proculeius arrives and asks Cleopatra what her terms of surrender are Cleopatra, remembering that
Antony told her she could trust him, asks if the son (Because in Egypt there was no such thing as a
bastard) that she had with Julius Ceasar could be the new ruler of Rome.
-Proculeius tells her that Octavius will repay her and that he will be good to her.
-The soldiers who have been slowly moving in around Cleopatra move to capture her.
-Cleopatra pulls out a dagger in an intent to kill herself but Proculeius disarms her.
-Cleopatra realizes what is happening to her and speaks of that.
-Dolabella arrives and takes over from Proculeius in guarding Cleopatra.
-Cleopatra tells Dolabella of her dreams about Antony and her.
-Octavius arrives and promises to spare Cleopatra’s children of she doesn’t kill herself (A cold and
manipulative move).
-Cleopatra offers Octavius a scroll that gives him all the wealth of Egypt however her treasurer tells
Octavius that it is fake, exposing that she was lying.
-Octavius waves this off as he doesn’t need it, mainly because Egypt is already his.
-Octavius assures her that he will be good to her.
-Octavius leaves.
-Cleopatra speaks to a servant about how doubts Octavius’s intentions concerning her and Egypt,
and convinces them to assist her in ending her life.
-Cleopatra declares that she will not be a spectacle for the Romans, showing how she is as aware of
what it means for her as Antony was.
-Cleopatra knows how the Romans view her and does not wish to be portrayed as a common whore.
-Cleopatra orders a jester to be brought in.
-The jester brings a basket of figs with two Asp’s inside.
~An Asp although highly venomous is not a aggressive snake and you must hurt it in order for it to
bite you.
-Iras kills herself with an Asp.
-Cleopatra press’s an Asp to her breast and to her arm, ending her life.
-Charmian also ends his life like Cleopatra.
-Octavius arrives.
-Octavius’s plans for Cleopatra are now over, this does not mean he dishonours her, instead he
declares that she should be buried with Antony in a public funeral.
-Like in her life Cleopatra’s death is grand, she is dressed in her finest clothing and there are many
details that are merely distractions the just of it is that she wishes to be with Antony in the afterlife.
-Cleopatra’s death is also a fulfilment of her duty to Egypt, for if she is used as Octavius’s trophy in
Rome Egypt’s reputation will decrease, this shows that even her death, although it is to join Antony
is a fulfilment of her duty as queen of Egypt.
-Octavius did not have to bury both Antony and Cleopatra together, he did not have to concern
himself with Cleopatra’s burial but he does and this is important, because it is the things that we do
not have to do but do anyway that define us.
-All the bloodlines of Julius Ceasar, Cleopatra and Antony are wiped out, because any one of them
would be strong rallying points for a resistance.
-Cleopatra’s death ends Egypt’s independence and Egypt becomes the personal property of every
Roman Emperor to come through (Octavius see’s to this).
-Cleopatra and Antony both have very similar reasons for suicide that base of three simple points:
they wished to die by their own hand so as to be their own conquerors and to retain their nobility,
they did not want to be used and humiliated by Octavius Ceasar in Rome, and they both wished to
be with each other in the afterlife.
-All these reasons for killing themselves come in one package and it is important to note that none of
them can be considered more or less important in the reason for their suicide.
THE END