feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/shmoop/The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra/section_2_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.act i.scene iii
feat_summary_id: act i, scene iii
feat_summary: {"name": "Act I, Scene iii", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210116191009/https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/antony-cleopatra/summary/act-i-scene-iii", "summary": "Meanwhile Cleopatra sends Alexas, her servant, to see what Antony is doing and tells her if she finds him upset, she should tell him Cleopatra is super happy; if he's happy, she should tell him Cleopatra is sad. But most importantly, she can't let Antony know that Cleopatra sent her. Cleo believes the best way to keep a man's interest is to seem as disinterested in him as possible. Charmian tries to advise Cleopatra against playing these games with Antony, but Cleopatra tells her she doesn't know what she's talking about. Cleo knows how to keep a man around--Charmian only knows how to lose one. Just then, Antony shows up with the news that he's leaving for Rome. Cleopatra swoons this way and that, wishing she'd never met him. He finally explains that he needs to take care of the war brewing with Sextus Pompeius. Further, Cleopatra should feel okay about him going because Fulvia is dead. Cleopatra has a moment of seriousness. She is shocked by Fulvia's death, but also at Antony's calmness over the death. Cleopatra worries that Antony would be equally unaffected by her death. They argue a bit over how much Antony loves Cleopatra, and whether Antony will forget Cleopatra as quickly as he forgot Fulvia. Finally Cleopatra concedes he should go to Rome and take care of his affairs. She wishes him well, and they both promise they'll be with each other in spirit while they're apart physically. Antony leaves.", "analysis": ""}
text: SCENE III.
  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace
  
  Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS
  
    CLEOPATRA. Where is he?
    CHARMIAN. I did not see him since.
    CLEOPATRA. See where he is, who's with him, what he does.
      I did not send you. If you find him sad,
      Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
      That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.        Exit ALEXAS
    CHARMIAN. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
      You do not hold the method to enforce
      The like from him.
    CLEOPATRA. What should I do I do not?
    CHARMIAN. In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing.
    CLEOPATRA. Thou teachest like a fool- the way to lose him.
    CHARMIAN. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear;
      In time we hate that which we often fear.
  
                              Enter ANTONY
  
      But here comes Antony.
    CLEOPATRA. I am sick and sullen.
    ANTONY. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose-
    CLEOPATRA. Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall.
      It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature
      Will not sustain it.
    ANTONY. Now, my dearest queen-
    CLEOPATRA. Pray you, stand farther from me.
    ANTONY. What's the matter?
    CLEOPATRA. I know by that same eye there's some good news.
      What says the married woman? You may go.
      Would she had never given you leave to come!
      Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here-
      I have no power upon you; hers you are.
    ANTONY. The gods best know-
    CLEOPATRA. O, never was there queen
      So mightily betray'd! Yet at the first
      I saw the treasons planted.
    ANTONY. Cleopatra-
    CLEOPATRA. Why should I think you can be mine and true,
      Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
      Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
      To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
      Which break themselves in swearing!
    ANTONY. Most sweet queen-
    CLEOPATRA. Nay, pray you seek no colour for your going,
      But bid farewell, and go. When you sued staying,
      Then was the time for words. No going then!
      Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
      Bliss in our brows' bent, none our parts so poor
      But was a race of heaven. They are so still,
      Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
      Art turn'd the greatest liar.
    ANTONY. How now, lady!
    CLEOPATRA. I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know
      There were a heart in Egypt.
    ANTONY. Hear me, queen:
      The strong necessity of time commands
      Our services awhile; but my full heart
      Remains in use with you. Our Italy
      Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
      Makes his approaches to the port of Rome;
      Equality of two domestic powers
      Breed scrupulous faction; the hated, grown to strength,
      Are newly grown to love. The condemn'd Pompey,
      Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace
      Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
      Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
      And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
      By any desperate change. My more particular,
      And that which most with you should safe my going,
      Is Fulvia's death.
    CLEOPATRA. Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
       It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?
    ANTONY. She's dead, my Queen.
      Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
      The garboils she awak'd. At the last, best.
      See when and where she died.
    CLEOPATRA. O most false love!
      Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
      With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
      In Fulvia's death how mine receiv'd shall be.
    ANTONY. Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know
      The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
      As you shall give th' advice. By the fire
      That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
      Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war
      As thou affects.
    CLEOPATRA. Cut my lace, Charmian, come!
      But let it be; I am quickly ill and well-
      So Antony loves.
    ANTONY. My precious queen, forbear,
      And give true evidence to his love, which stands
      An honourable trial.
    CLEOPATRA. So Fulvia told me.
      I prithee turn aside and weep for her;
      Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
      Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene
      Of excellent dissembling, and let it look
      Like perfect honour.
    ANTONY. You'll heat my blood; no more.
    CLEOPATRA. You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
    ANTONY. Now, by my sword-
    CLEOPATRA. And target. Still he mends;
      But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
      How this Herculean Roman does become
      The carriage of his chafe.
    ANTONY. I'll leave you, lady.
    CLEOPATRA. Courteous lord, one word.
      Sir, you and I must part- but that's not it.
      Sir, you and I have lov'd- but there's not it.
      That you know well. Something it is I would-
      O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
      And I am all forgotten!
    ANTONY. But that your royalty
      Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
      For idleness itself.
    CLEOPATRA. 'Tis sweating labour
      To bear such idleness so near the heart
      As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
      Since my becomings kill me when they do not
      Eye well to you. Your honour calls you hence;
      Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,
      And all the gods go with you! Upon your sword
      Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
      Be strew'd before your feet!
    ANTONY. Let us go. Come.
      Our separation so abides and flies
      That thou, residing here, goes yet with me,
      And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
      Away!                                                 Exeunt
  
  
  
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Act I, Scene iii
target: Meanwhile Cleopatra sends Alexas, her servant, to see what Antony is doing and tells her if she finds him upset, she should tell him Cleopatra is super happy; if he's happy, she should tell him Cleopatra is sad. But most importantly, she can't let Antony know that Cleopatra sent her. Cleo believes the best way to keep a man's interest is to seem as disinterested in him as possible. Charmian tries to advise Cleopatra against playing these games with Antony, but Cleopatra tells her she doesn't know what she's talking about. Cleo knows how to keep a man around--Charmian only knows how to lose one. Just then, Antony shows up with the news that he's leaving for Rome. Cleopatra swoons this way and that, wishing she'd never met him. He finally explains that he needs to take care of the war brewing with Sextus Pompeius. Further, Cleopatra should feel okay about him going because Fulvia is dead. Cleopatra has a moment of seriousness. She is shocked by Fulvia's death, but also at Antony's calmness over the death. Cleopatra worries that Antony would be equally unaffected by her death. They argue a bit over how much Antony loves Cleopatra, and whether Antony will forget Cleopatra as quickly as he forgot Fulvia. Finally Cleopatra concedes he should go to Rome and take care of his affairs. She wishes him well, and they both promise they'll be with each other in spirit while they're apart physically. Antony leaves.