Antony and Cleopatra · Chapter
Scene I explained
In Caesar's camp, news arrives of Antony's death by his own hand.
What happens
In Caesar's camp, news arrives of Antony's death by his own hand. Caesar mourns his former ally and rival, then receives an Egyptian messenger from Cleopatra, who seeks to know Caesar's intentions. Caesar sends Proculeius to assure her of honorable treatment, hoping to bring her to Rome for his triumph.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Transcendence
Antony's suicide is reported as a noble act, and Caesar's lament elevates his death to a world-shaking event.
Honor and Reputation
Dercetas emphasizes Antony's honor in his deeds, and Caesar reflects on Antony's taints and honours.
Power and Ambition
Caesar's political calculation in securing Cleopatra and his reflection on the rivalry with Antony highlight the costs of ambition.
Characters to notice
- Octavius Caesar
Receives news of Antony's death and mourns him as a brother and competitor; sends Proculeius to Cleopatra with promises of honor.
- Agrippa
Comments on the strange necessity of lamenting our most persisted deeds and praises Antony's rare spirit.
- Mecaenas
Observes that Antony's taints and honours were balanced, and that Caesar sees himself in Antony's mirror.
- Dolabella
Sent by Caesar to bid Antony yield; later mentioned as needed to second Proculeius.
- Proculeius
Dispatched by Caesar to comfort Cleopatra and report back.
- Dercetas
Former servant of Antony, brings Caesar Antony's bloodied sword and reports his suicide.
- Cleopatra
Sends an Egyptian messenger to Caesar seeking instruction; confined in her monument.
Key passages
“The breaking of so great a thing should make a greater crack: the round world should have shook lions into civil streets, and citizens to their dens.”
The death of such a great man should have caused a cosmic upheaval, turning the world upside down.
Caesar expresses the monumental significance of Antony's death.
“That thou, my brother, my competitor in top of all design, my mate in empire, friend and companion in the front of war, the arm of mine own body, and the heart where mine his thoughts did kindle—that our stars, unreconciliable, should divide our equalness to this.”
You were my brother, rival, partner in rule, and closest comrade in battle, yet our fates could not allow us to remain equals, leading to this tragic end.
Caesar mourns the lost bond with Antony, acknowledging their irreconcilable destinies.
“Bid her have good heart: she soon shall know of us, by some of ours, how honourable and how kindly we determine for her; for Caesar cannot live to be ungentle.”
Tell her to take comfort; she will soon learn from my messengers that I intend to treat her honorably and kindly, for I cannot be cruel.
Caesar reassures Cleopatra through her messenger, though his motives are political.