Summary Antony and Eros have returned to the palace, and Antony asks Eros if he can still see him. Eros doesn’t understand the question, and so Antony explains; he describes himself as being like a shadow or a cloud, insubstantial yet taking on various shapes. He seems to be only […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 14Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 13
Summary At the palace with her attendants, Cleopatra is confused by Antony’s wrath; she does not understand his anger, and she tries one last scheme to see if she can win him back. Charmian has suggested that she go to her monument (the tomb which she has had built in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 13Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 12
Summary Antony and Scarus watch the battle from a hill near Alexandria. Things are not going as well as Antony had hoped. From their position, they can see that the sea battle is lost and that Caesar has retained enough forces on land to continue the fight. Antony leaves to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 12Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 11
Summary We now return briefly to Caesar and his army, also on the battlefield. He instructs his men that unless they are attacked, they should keep their strongest forces on land, to hold the positions they have. Analysis Caesar’s apparent sea preparations are a ruse. He hopes, by this maneuver, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 11Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 10
Summary On the battlefield, between the two camps, Antony and Scarus are conversing. Caesar was defeated on land yesterday, and they observe that he is now preparing for an attack on Antony by sea. Antony fearlessly states that wherever Caesar chooses to fight, he will fight him — whether on […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 10Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 9
Summary The scene shifts briefly back to Caesar’s camp. Sentries are keeping watch throughout the night, and they hear Enobarbus, still distraught, speaking to the moon. In a moving soliloquy, Enobarbus makes his final speech; he is a symbol of melancholy and madness, and he despairs that he deserted Antony. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 9Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 8
Summary The battle continues. Antony is next to the walls of Alexandria, and he tells his men to report to Cleopatra how well the battle is going. At that point, Cleopatra enters and greets them all. Antony takes Scarus’s hand and presents him to Cleopatra. She congratulates him for his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 8Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 7
Summary This brief scene describes Antony’s reaction to the battle that has begun. Apparently, Antony’s forces are winning, although the odds were initially against it. Scarus, one of Antony’s men, is badly wounded, but he bravely urges the rest of his men to continue the fight, “snatching them [the enemy] […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 7Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 6
Summary We now see Enobarbus at Caesar’s camp as Caesar, Agrippa, and Dolabella plan for the coming battle. Caesar instructs his soldiers to place Antony’s deserters on the front lines, presumably to demoralize Antony and his remaining men, for they will be unprepared for the psychological shock when they discover […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 6Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 5
Summary At Antony’s camp near Alexandria, a soldier brings word that Enobarbus, Antony’s most trusted aide, has deserted and pledged his allegiance to Caesar’s side. Moreover, Enobarbus fled in such haste that he left all his money and belongings behind. Antony is dismayed at Enobarbus’s departure, but he honorably orders […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 5