IV: Of the Meeting of Charmion with the Learned Olympus; Of Her Speech with Him; Of the Coming of Olympus Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Commands of Cleopatra explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Betrayal

  Charmion's undying love for Harmachis contrasts with her betrayal of Cleopatra and Antony, whom she has manipulated for years. Cleopatra's lingering passion for Harmachis also surfaces, despite his rejection.

• Jealousy and Revenge

  Charmion's jealousy of Cleopatra drives her to plot the Queen's ruin, and Harmachis, though outwardly calm, is consumed by the desire for vengeance against Cleopatra and Rome.

• The Fall of Empires

  The chapter depicts the collapse of Antony's cause and the impending fall of Egypt, as Harmachis reflects on the end of his ancient race and the rise of Roman power.

Characters to notice

• Harmachis

  Disguised as the aged hermit Olympus, he reflects on his transformation and prepares to fulfill his role as an instrument of fate against Cleopatra.

• Charmion

  Reveals her long secret service to Harmachis, having manipulated Antony and Cleopatra and reported to Octavian; she confesses her undying love and hatred for the Queen.

• Cleopatra

  Summons Olympus to cure Antony; she senses a strange familiarity with the hermit but does not recognize Harmachis, and commands him to attend to Antony.

• Antony

  Mentioned as having fled the Battle of Actium after Cleopatra, now isolated on Timonium, smitten by fever and refusing to see the Queen.

• Atoua

  The aged servant who has remained loyal to Harmachis during his nine years of solitude; she attends him in the guest-chamber.

• Canidius

  Mentioned as the general who brought news that Antony's army in Greece had surrendered to Octavian.

• Octavian

  Referenced as Caesar, the recipient of Charmion's reports and the victor at Actium; he is said to make war on Charmion and Iras.

• Iras

  Mentioned alongside Charmion as a target of Octavian's propaganda.

Key passages

• “I have fanned his passion and her jealousy, I have egged her on to wickedness and him to folly, and of all have I caused report to be brought to Caesar.”

  Charmion admits she has stoked Antony's desire and Cleopatra's envy, pushing them toward ruin while secretly informing Octavian of their actions.

  Charmion reveals her role as a double agent, manipulating the lovers and reporting to Octavian.

• “When Antony saw that she was gone, he, in his madness, took a galley, and deserting all, followed hard after her, leaving his fleet to be shattered and sunk, and his great army in Greece, of twenty legions and twelve thousand horse, without a leader.”

  Charmion describes how Antony abandoned his fleet and army at Actium to chase after Cleopatra, leading to their destruction.

  This recounts the pivotal moment of Antony's desertion after Cleopatra's flight from battle.

• “I put it from me—though forget it I may not! There, ’tis done, Harmachis; no more shall my love trouble thee.”

  Cleopatra declares she will suppress her love for Harmachis, though she cannot forget it, and vows not to burden him further.

  Cleopatra speaks to Harmachis (disguised as Olympus), revealing her enduring but renounced passion.

• “Thy lot has been hard, Harmachis; but at least thou have been free, and many is the time that I have envied thee the quiet of thy haunted cave.”

  Charmion tells Harmachis that despite his hardships, she envies his freedom and solitude compared to her own life of servitude and deceit.

  Charmion expresses her weariness and longing for escape from her role at court.