Antony and Cleopatra

Second lecture

The political world • Pompey’s reasons for opposing Octavius and Antony are high

minded (II.6).• He, like the conspirators of Julius Caesar, would “Have one man but

a man.”• I.e., the political values of the Roman republic. • Which Gnaeus Pompey supported. • But the triumvirate have offered him Sicily and Sardinia – and he

must rid the sea of pirates and send wheat to Rome.• He’d take the offer, except he’s still annoyed with Antony – he never

said “thank you”!• Antony’s reply.• Oh, alright then!• Roman republican principles? • In reply to Octavius, Pompey says Fortune will never alter his heart.• Yeah, right!• Menas, the pirate, later remarks (l. 83) that Pompey’s father would

never have take this bargain. • And Menas and Enobarbus admit to being great thieves by sea and

by land.

And its fragility• Scene (II.7) on Pompey’s barge: a big moment, the

whole triumvirate plus advisers.• Clip from RSC production with Richard Johnson, Janet

Suzman, Patrick Stuart. • Lepidus dead drunk.• Menas approaches Pompey with his plan. • “Wilt thou be lord of all the world?”• Simple job for a pirate.• But Pompey’s “honor” won’t allow it. • Menas should just have done it, then told Pompey. • And Menas, the pragmatist? is simply disgusted. • Lepidus, a third of the world, is carried off.• And what’s the effect of their being placed hand in hand

to hear the song?

The triumvirate, R.I.P

• Was it simply doomed?

• III.4 Antony’s reports about Octavius.

• III.5 Octavius tosses Lepidus aside.

• III.6 Octavius hears of Antony’s enthronement of himself and Cleo in Alexandria.

• And Octavia comes to Rome without pomp or fanfare.

Antony’s generalship

• Allows Cleopatra to join in the battle.• See Enobarbus’ opinion of that III.7.• Will fight by sea. Why? “For that he dares us

to’t.” III.7.• Enobarbus’ opinion, 34-40.• Octavius’ generalship, III.8• The result: III.10.• Why did she flee?• Why did he follow?• “Fall not a tear, I say: one of them rates/ All that

is won and lost.”• And he sends his schoolmaster, who hasn’t a

clue how to negotiate.

What’s Cleo’s game?

• Why does she admit Thidias? • And why does she seem to admit Octavius’ offers?• And let him kiss her hand? • Antony’s wonderful anger in having Thidias whipped. • And his insults to Cleo: 116.• All because Thidias kissed her hand. • Cleo: “Not know me yet?” • What is to know? Ll. 158-67. • Antony satisfied? • But Enobarbus is not.

Enobarbus• A kind of chorus-like figure in the play?• Able to appreciate the delights of Egypt. • But understands the demands of Rome. • Half in love with Cleo himself?• After Cleo admits Thidias, speaks an aside: “Mine honesty and I

begin to square [quarrel]./ The loyalty well held to fools does make/ Our faith mere folly . . .”

• “. . . yet he that can endure/ To follow with allegiance a fallen lord/ Does conquer him that did his master conquer/ And earns a place in the story.”

• The story? • What finally determines Enobarbus’ decision to leave Antony? • And how does Antony react? IV.6. • And E’s reaction to that: “This blows my heart.”• And imagines that “thought will do’t.” • Can one die of thought?• IV.9: E. addresses himself, and repents, to the moon.• Why the moon? • And dies with Antony’s name on his lips.