Scene XIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Betrayal and Trust

  Cleopatra's decision to feign death is a deception that ultimately leads to tragic consequences, highlighting the fragility of trust between the lovers.

• Death and Transcendence

  The false report of death sets the stage for Antony's actual suicide, exploring how the idea of death can be manipulated and how it transcends into real tragedy.

Characters to notice

• Cleopatra

  In a state of panic, she orders her women to help her and decides to feign death to escape Antony's wrath.

• Charmian

  Advises Cleopatra to hide in the monument and send word that she is dead.

• Iras

  Present with Cleopatra and Charmian during the scene.

• Mardian

  Sent by Cleopatra to deliver the false report of her death to Antony.

Key passages

• “Help me, my women! O, he is more mad Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly Was never so emboss'd.”

  Cleopatra cries out for assistance, comparing Antony's fury to the madness of Ajax over Achilles' armor and the legendary boar of Thessaly.

  Cleopatra uses classical allusions to emphasize the intensity of Antony's rage.

• “To the monument! There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. The soul and body rive not more in parting Than greatness going off.”

  Charmian urges Cleopatra to hide in the tomb and announce her own death, saying that the separation of soul from body is no more painful than the loss of greatness.

  Charmian's advice sets the tragic deception in motion, equating loss of status with death.

• “Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself; Say, that the last I spoke was 'Antony,' And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian, And bring me how he takes my death.”

  Cleopatra instructs Mardian to inform Antony that she has killed herself, to say her final word was 'Antony,' and to deliver the message in a pitiful manner, then return to report Antony's reaction.

  Cleopatra orchestrates the false report, hoping to gauge Antony's love and remorse.