Antony and Cleopatra · Chapter
Scene VIII explained
Caesar gives Taurus orders to avoid land battle and wait for the outcome at sea, emphasizing that their fortune depends on this decisive moment.
What happens
Caesar gives Taurus orders to avoid land battle and wait for the outcome at sea, emphasizing that their fortune depends on this decisive moment.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Fortune
Caesar declares that their fortune lies upon the outcome of the sea battle, highlighting the theme of fate and chance.
Characters to notice
- Octavius Caesar
Commands Taurus to hold the land forces and not engage until the sea battle is decided.
- Taurus
Receives Caesar's orders and is entrusted with the scroll of instructions.
Key passages
“Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle, Till we have done at sea.”
Do not attack by land; keep your forces intact and do not start a fight until we have finished the battle at sea.
Caesar instructs Taurus to avoid land engagement and wait for the naval conflict to conclude.
“Our fortune lies Upon this jump.”
Our fate depends on this risky venture.
Caesar emphasizes that the entire campaign hinges on the outcome of the sea battle.