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triumvirate and Pompey negotiate terms for peace, and the emphasis is again on reasoned speech, contrasting with Cleopatra’s impulsive violence in the previous scene. Pompey explains that he wants revenge for his father’s defeat by Julius Caesar, and Antony points out that although Pompey is strong at sea, the triumvirate will “o’er-count” him on land. Pompey explains that he was willing to accept their offer of Sicily and Sardinia, but that he was offended by Antony, who failed to acknowledge Pompey’s recent hospitality to his mother. Antony apologizes and Pompey accepts their terms and invites them all aboard his galley. Enobarbus and Menas discuss the treaty, and Menas criticizes Pompey. Enobarbus reveals Antony’s marriage to Octavia, but predicts that Antony will return to Cleopatra: “He will to his Egyptian dish again,” with the result that Octavia’s sighs will “blow the fire up in Caesar” and they will be enemies again.
ACT 2 SCENE 7
    The Romans come from their feast, with Antony describing various aspects of Egypt. Comedy is generated by Lepidus’ foolish inquiries about Egyptian crocodiles and Antony’s deliberately nonsensical responses, as well as the increasing intoxication of Lepidus as the others ply him with alcohol. The tensions beneath this light-heartedness are evident, however, particularly in the asides between Menas and Pompey. Menas suggests to Pompey that they kill the triumvirate while they are on board. Pompey argues that Menas should have done this without telling him: once he knows about the plot, his sense of honor will not allow him to participate in it. For Pompey, honor is a matter of appearance. He returns to the others. Disgusted, Menas vows to leave Pompey. The Romans join in drunken dance and song, but Caesar remains focused, claiming that their “graver business / Frowns at this levity.”
ACT 3 SCENE 1
    The first of many brief scenes that comprise the next two acts, as the action moves swiftly between sets of characters and locations, heightening tension.
    Ventidius has been successful in his wars at Parthia on Antony’s behalf. Silius encourages him to fight on and gain more glory. Ventidius explains that if he did, he would lose favor with Antony for being overambitious.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
    As in Act 1 Scene 1, the action of this scene is framed by the observations of two Roman followers, updating us on current events and expressing opinions as well as creating another dual audience. Enobarbus and Agrippa reveal that Pompey has left, that Antony and Octavia are about to depart for Athens, and that Octavia and Caesar are sad at parting. They report that Lepidus has “the green sickness,” a comment on his worship and flattery of the two other triumvirs (and perhaps also to his hangover from the party). Caesar says farewell to Octavia, describing her as the “cement” of the relationship between himself and Antony. He warns Antony that she must not become “the ram to batter / The fortress of it.” Antony reassures him.
ACT 3 SCENE 3
    The frightened Messenger is questioned by Cleopatra. Diplomatically, he describes Octavia as unattractive, and Cleopatra, pleased, rewards him and apologizes for her previous harshness.
ACT 3 SCENE 4
    In Athens, Antony is angry with Caesar for waging “new wars gainst Pompey” in his absence and for speaking “scantly” of him in public. Octavia begs that he will not believe everything that he hears and struggles with divided loyalties between her husband and her brother. Antony grants her request to act as a go-between, but warns that he will continue to “raise the preparation of a war” against Caesar.
ACT 3 SCENE 5
    Eros reports that Pompey is dead, and that Caesar, accusing Lepidus of plotting with Pompey against him, has deposed and imprisoned him. Antony is furious and is ready for war with Caesar.
ACT 3 SCENE 6
    Lines 1–43: In Rome, Caesar is angered that Antony has returned to Cleopatra. The decadence and