# XIII: Of the Reproach of Harmachis; Of the Struggle of Harmachis with the Guards; Of the Blow of Brennus; and of the Secret Speech of Cleopatra explained — Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Harmachis confronts Cleopatra about her broken vows and her plan to visit Antony, accusing her of betraying Egypt and their love. Cleopatra mocks him, defends her freedom, and refuses marriage. When Harmachis threatens to leave, she orders his arrest. He fights the guards, killing three before Brennus knocks him unconscious. Later, Cleopatra visits his bedside, murmuring a farewell and reflecting on her manipulation of him, while Charmion watches over him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Betrayal

Harmachis accuses Cleopatra of breaking her vows of love and marriage, while Cleopatra admits she used his love as a tool of policy.

### Power and Corruption

Cleopatra's manipulation of Harmachis and her willingness to sacrifice personal bonds for political gain illustrate the corrupting influence of power.

### Fate and Destiny

Cleopatra muses on fate and the inevitability of their meeting in the afterlife, while Harmachis invokes the curse of Menkau-ra.

## Character check-ins

### Harmachis

Confronts Cleopatra about her broken vows and betrayal; fights and kills three guards before being struck down by Brennus; lies unconscious as Cleopatra speaks over him.

### Cleopatra

Mocks Harmachis, defends her refusal to marry, orders his arrest, and later visits his bedside to deliver a secret farewell speech.

### Charmion

Present during the confrontation; later watches over the unconscious Harmachis for ten days, expressing grief and exhaustion.

### Brennus

Captain of the guard; struck down by Harmachis but later delivers the blow that knocks Harmachis unconscious.

### Iras

Present in the Alabaster Hall with Cleopatra and Charmion.

## Key lines

> For to come low after being great is to learn all shame. Unhappy, therefore, are the Great, for they may fall!

Falling from a high position teaches one the full measure of disgrace; thus the powerful are unfortunate because they have so far to fall.

_Harmachis reflects on the humiliation of being treated scornfully after his fall from favor._

> Woman being grown hath two ills to fear—Death and Marriage; and of these twain is Marriage the more vile; for in Death we may find rest, but in Marriage, should it fail us, we must find hell.

For a grown woman, the two greatest evils are death and marriage, and marriage is worse because death brings peace, while a failed marriage brings torment.

_Cleopatra argues against marriage, equating it to a form of slavery._

> Contempt alone, like acid, can eat away the love of noble hearts, and reveal the truth in its pitiful nakedness.

Only contempt can erode the love of a noble person, exposing the raw truth beneath.

_Cleopatra muses on the durability of Harmachis's love, which she believes cannot be destroyed by injury._

## Links

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