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“flatters both.” Menas informs him that Caesar and Lepidus have gathered a “mighty strength,” but Pompey refuses to believe him, saying that they are still “looking for Antony.” Demonstrating the predominant Roman attitude that defines Cleopatra through her sexual behavior, he hopes that she keeps Antony away through combining “witchcraft,” “beauty,” and “lust.” Varrius brings the news of Antony’s return to Rome, and Pompey realizes that the triumvirate will put aside their differences to unite against him.
ACT 2 SCENE 2
    Lines 1–138: Lepidus asks Enobarbus to tell Antony to use “soft and gentle speech” when dealing with Caesar, but Enobarbus says that Antony will “speak as loud as Mars” if he needs to. The theme is sustained throughout the scene, as Lepidus encourages Caesar and Antony to talk, and to touch “the sourest points with sweetest terms.” This emphasis on “speech,” as opposed to action, reinforces the application of reason associated with Rome, but it also raises issues of metatheater. Antony and Caesar remain polite as they discuss Caesar’s accusations, but their antagonism is evident. Caesar blames Antony for Fulvia and Lucius’s “wars upon” him and claims that he ignored his messengers, which Antony denies. Maecenas suggests that they forget their differences to deal with “the present need,” the threat of Pompey. This is backed up in plainer terms by Enobarbus, but he is silenced by Antony, causing him to comment “That truth should be silent,” acknowledging and reinforcing his characteristic honesty.
    Lines 139–206: Agrippa suggests that Antony marry Octavia, Caesar’s “sister by the mother’s side,” as a means of uniting the two men “in perpetual amity.” Octavia is established as the antithesis of Cleopatra, meeting Roman ideals of womanhood in her “virtue” and “general graces.” Antony agrees to the match.
    Lines 207–287: Maecenas and Agrippa question Enobarbus about Egypt and he narrates how Cleopatra first met Antony, evoking the sensuous richness and enchantment of Cleopatra, reinforcing images of her as a goddess, “O’er-picturing that Venus.” His description of the whole city watching Cleopatra enthroned on her barge, while Antony “i’th’market-place, did sit alone,” emphasizes the public nature of the relationship. Cleopatra’s careful staging of herself also demonstrates her awareness of theater and performance. Enobarbus says that Antony will never leave Cleopatra, dwelling on her contradictory and thus fascinating character, her “infinite variety.” Maecenas insists that Octavia has “beauty, wisdom,” and “modesty” which will “settle / The heart of Antony,” emphasizing the differences between the two women and their associated countries.
ACT 2 SCENE 3
    Antony warns Octavia that he will sometimes have to be away, but reassures her that, unlike in the past, he will behave “by th’rule.” After Octavia and Caesar have said goodnight, the Soothsayer approaches Antony and predicts that he will return to Egypt, saying that Caesar’s fortunes will rise higher than Antony’s and warning him that Caesar’s presence weakens his luck and strength. Antony dismisses him, but thinks that by “art or hap” the Soothsayer has spoken the truth and that he should return to Egypt, where his “pleasure lies.” His various changes of heart in the last few scenes show that his character is as complex and elusive as Cleopatra’s. He sends Ventidius on a military expedition to Parthia.
ACT 2 SCENE 4
    Lepidus, Agrippa, and Maecenas prepare to fight Pompey.
ACT 2 SCENE 5
    A Messenger brings Cleopatra news of Antony’s marriage and, enraged, she strikes him. He runs away and Charmian urges Cleopatra to be calmer. The Messenger reluctantly returns, and, despiteCleopatra’s disbelief, repeats that Antony is married. Cleopatra collapses and is led away, sending Alexas to find out more.
ACT 2 SCENE 6
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