Antony and Cleopatra · Chapter
Scene X explained
The scene depicts the aftermath of the naval battle at Actium, where Cleopatra's flight leads to Antony's shameful retreat.
What happens
The scene depicts the aftermath of the naval battle at Actium, where Cleopatra's flight leads to Antony's shameful retreat. Enobarbus, Scarus, and Canidius lament the loss and the disgrace, with Canidius deciding to surrender to Caesar while Enobarbus resolves to stay loyal to Antony despite his better judgment.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Scarus and Enobarbus lament the violation of honor and manhood as Antony abandons the fight for love.
Betrayal and Trust
Cleopatra's flight and Canidius's decision to surrender to Caesar highlight betrayals of trust and loyalty.
Love vs. Duty
Antony's choice to follow Cleopatra instead of fighting embodies the conflict between personal love and military duty.
Characters to notice
- Enobarbus
Witnesses the flight and expresses despair, but chooses to follow Antony despite his reason opposing it.
- Scarus
Describes the battle's shameful turn, blaming Cleopatra's cowardice and Antony's doting pursuit.
- Canidius
Reports the naval defeat and decides to yield his forces to Caesar, noting that six kings have already surrendered.
Key passages
“The greater cantle of the world is lost With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away Kingdoms and provinces.”
A huge portion of the world has been lost through foolishness; we have carelessly thrown away kingdoms and territories.
Scarus laments the catastrophic loss due to Antony and Cleopatra's reckless actions.
“The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, Claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard, Leaving the fight in height, flies after her”
Antony, once noble but now ruined by her enchantment, spreads his sails and, like a lovesick duck, abandons the battle at its peak to chase after her.
Scarus describes Antony's shameful flight to follow Cleopatra.
“I'll yet follow The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason Sits in the wind against me.”
I will still follow Antony's failing fortunes, even though my reason opposes it.
Enobarbus chooses loyalty over logic, despite knowing Antony's cause is lost.