# Scene II explained — Antony and Cleopatra > Chapter companion for Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. ## What happens Cleopatra, in the monument, prepares for death after being captured by Caesar's forces. She negotiates with Proculeius and Dolabella, dreams of Antony, and ultimately takes her own life with the help of a poisonous asp, accompanied by her attendants Charmian and Iras. ## Themes in this chapter ### Death and Transcendence Cleopatra embraces death as a noble act to escape captivity and dishonor, viewing it as a reunion with Antony. ### Honor and Reputation Cleopatra fears being displayed as a spectacle in Rome and chooses suicide to preserve her royal dignity. ### Identity and Transformation Cleopatra transforms from a captive queen to a resolute figure, declaring herself 'marble-constant' and seeking immortality through death. ## Character check-ins ### Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, captured by Caesar, resolves to die nobly rather than be paraded in Rome. ### Charmian Cleopatra's loyal attendant, assists in her suicide and dies by asp herself. ### Iras Cleopatra's attendant, dies from the asp's bite before Cleopatra. ### Proculeius Caesar's envoy, captures Cleopatra in the monument and tries to prevent her suicide. ### Dolabella Caesar's officer, informs Cleopatra of Caesar's plan to send her to Rome. ### Octavius Caesar Roman leader, appears briefly to interrogate Cleopatra about her treasure, then leaves. ### Seleucus Cleopatra's treasurer, reveals she has hidden some treasure from Caesar. ### Clown A rural fellow who brings Cleopatra the basket of figs containing the asp. ## Key lines > My desolation does begin to make A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar; Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave, A minister of her will: and it is great To do that thing that ends all other deeds; Which shackles accidents and bolts up change; Which sleeps, and never palates more the dung, The beggar's nurse and Caesar's. My misery is leading me to a better existence. Being Caesar is trivial; since he is not Fortune itself, he is merely Fortune's servant. It is noble to perform the act that ends all other actions, which locks away chance and change, and brings eternal sleep free from the base concerns that both beggars and Caesar share. _Cleopatra reflects on the futility of power and the nobility of suicide as a means to escape fortune's control._ > Rather a ditch in Egypt Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies Blow me into abhorring! rather make My country's high pyramides my gibbet, And hang me up in chains! I would prefer a ditch in Egypt as a gentle grave, or to be laid naked on the Nile's mud and be covered by flies, or to be hanged in chains from the pyramids, rather than be paraded in Rome. _Cleopatra expresses her horror at the thought of being humiliated in Caesar's triumph._ > I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony: O, such another sleep, that I might see But such another man! I dreamed of an emperor named Antony: if only I could sleep again and see such a man once more! _Cleopatra recalls a dream of Antony as a majestic figure, longing to see him again._ > Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me: now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip: Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come: Now to that name my courage prove my title! Hand me my robe and crown; I feel a desire for immortality. I will drink no more wine. Hurry, Iras. I imagine Antony calling me, praising my brave deed, and mocking Caesar's fortune. Husband, I am coming; let my courage prove I deserve that title. _Cleopatra prepares for suicide, envisioning a reunion with Antony and asserting her nobility._ > Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not? Do you have the charming snake from the Nile that kills without causing pain? _Cleopatra asks the clown about the asp, which she will use to end her life._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters