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that everything “becomes”her: “to chide, to laugh, / To weep.” They leave, and Philo and Demetrius, whose comments frame this scene, deplore Antony’s attitude toward Caesar.
ACT 1 SCENE 2
    Lines 1–85: Charmian asks for the Soothsayer in the fulsome language that reflects the Egyptian court. The Soothsayer, a character who draws attention to the importance of fate, reads the fortunes of Charmian and Iras. During a comic, bawdy exchange he reveals that both of their pasts are better than their futures and that they will both “outlive” Cleopatra. Cleopatra arrives, searching for Antony. She reveals that he was “disposed to mirth” but then was struck by “A Roman thought,” emphasizing the reason and discipline that characterize Rome. Antony arrives and, despite her previous desire to find him, Cleopatra decides that she will not “look upon him” and leaves in a manner characteristic of her capricious nature.
    Lines 86–199: Antony’s messenger describes the unsuccessful battle fought against Caesar by Fulvia and Antony’s brother, Lucius, and the advances of the Parthian army. Antony muses on his responsibility for these events and decides that he must break “These strong Egyptian fetters” or be lost in “dotage.” Another messenger brings news of Fulvia’s death and Antony says that although he “desired it,” he now wishes it were not so. Hearing Antony’s news, Enobarbus initially replies in a lighthearted way, but is typically direct and honest in his appraisal of events. Antony says that there must be “No more light answers” and confirms his intention to return to Rome.
ACT 1 SCENE 3
    Cleopatra sends Alexas to find Antony and “directs” her servant in what he is to say. Antony arrives and Cleopatra pretends to faint, claiming that she knows Antony will return to Fulvia, as she herself has “no power” to keep him. As he tries to interrupt, she complainsthat she is “betrayed.” He finally tells her of Fulvia’s death and she accuses him of failing to grieve, saying that he will be equally unmoved by her own death. Reassuring Cleopatra that he does love her, Antony leaves for Rome.
ACT 1 SCENE 4
    The scene shifts to Rome. Caesar complains to Lepidus of Antony’s laziness and excess in Egypt, where he “fishes, drinks and wastes / The lamps of night in revel” at the cost of his responsibilities to Rome. Caesar feels that this behavior makes Antony less “manlike,” reinforcing the association of male and female with, respectively, Rome and Egypt, Europe and the exotic Orient. As Lepidus attempts an ineffectual defense of Antony, a messenger brings news that the rebels Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas are gaining strength at sea. Caesar wishes for the Antony of the past and recalls his feats of greatness and honor.
ACT 1 SCENE 5
    As Cleopatra pines for Antony, Alexas brings a message from him. Antony has sent a pearl, which he kissed before departing, promising to “mend the petty present” by piecing Cleopatra’s “opulent throne with kingdoms.” Alexas inquires why Cleopatra has assembled “twenty several messengers” and she declares her intention to send a letter to Antony every day, even if she has to “unpeople Egypt.” Charmian teases Cleopatra about her previous love for Julius Caesar and is threatened by the queen with “bloody teeth” if she continues to do so, showing a harsher side to her character.
ACT 2 SCENE 1
    The action moves back to Sicily, heightening the contrast between the two countries as, in place of the emotionally charged language of the Egyptians, we are presented with the more direct, military debate of Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas. Pompey is confident in hispopularity and military strength, claiming that his “powers are crescent.” Part of his confidence stems from the belief that Antony is still in Egypt, while Caesar “gets money” and “loses hearts,” and Lepidus, the third member of the ruling triumvirate, merely