# Scene I explained — Antony and Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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