# Scene VII explained — Antony and Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

On Pompey's galley off Misenum, the triumvirs and Pompey feast together. Lepidus becomes drunk and is mocked. Menas secretly proposes to Pompey that he cut the cable and murder the triumvirs to seize the world, but Pompey refuses, citing honor. The feast continues with drinking, a song, and a dance, after which Caesar calls for an end to the levity. Enobarbus and Menas remain behind as the others depart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Reputation

Pompey refuses Menas's plot to assassinate the triumvirs, stating that his honor prevents him from acting on a treacherous plan, even though it would benefit him.

### Excess and Indulgence

The scene is dominated by heavy drinking, drunkenness (especially of Lepidus), and a Bacchanalian song, highlighting the theme of excess.

### Betrayal and Trust

Menas's proposal to Pompey to betray and murder the triumvirs underscores the theme of betrayal, even as Pompey chooses not to act on it.

## Character check-ins

### Pompey

Hosts the feast on his galley; rejects Menas's assassination plot on grounds of honor.

### Menas

Proposes to Pompey that he murder the triumvirs to gain the world; after Pompey's refusal, he resolves to abandon him.

### Lepidus

Gets drunk and is ridiculed by the others; carried ashore.

### Enobarbus

Participates in the feast and dance; remains behind with Menas after the others leave.

### Mark Antony

Engages in banter about the Nile and crocodiles; drinks and dances with the company.

### Octavius Caesar

Reluctantly participates in the drinking; calls for an end to the revelry to attend to serious business.

## Key lines

> These three world-sharers, these competitors, Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable; And, when we are put off, fall to their throats: All there is thine.

These three men who divide the world are on your ship. Let me cut the anchor rope, and once we are away, we can kill them all—then everything will be yours.

_Menas urges Pompey to seize absolute power by murdering the triumvirs during the feast._

> 'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour; Mine honour, it. Repent that e'er thy tongue Hath so betray'd thine act: being done unknown, I should have found it afterwards well done; But must condemn it now.

My honor guides me, not my gain. I regret that you spoke of this plot instead of acting silently; had you done it without telling me, I would have praised it later, but now I must reject it.

_Pompey explains that he cannot endorse a premeditated betrayal, though he would have accepted the outcome if it had been done without his knowledge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters