Antony and Cleopatra: Act 1, Scene 3 Summary & Analysis

Cleopatra and her servants are looking for Antony. She sends Alexas to find Antony and tells her that if he seems sad she should say that Cleopatra is happy, and that if he seems happy, she should say Cleopatra is sad. Charmian cautions Cleopatra that she is not going about things the right way with Antony, and should “cross him in nothing,” in order to elicit his love.

Antony enters and begins to speak to Cleopatra, who is greatly upset. Hardly allowing him to speak, she says she has been betrayed and wishes Antony had never come to Egypt. She asks how he could be true to her, when he was false to Fulvia. Antony tries to talk, but Cleopatra simply tells him to go. She says, “eternity was in our lips and eyes, / Bliss in our brows’ bent,” but now says that Antony has turned from the greatest soldier into the greatest liar.

Antony says that he has to go to Rome because of civil strife, but that his heart remains with Cleopatra. He tells her of Fulvia’s death, and Cleopatra is shocked at how calm he seems. She says that now she knows how he will react when she dies. Antony tells her to “quarrel no more,” and says that he goes forth as Cleopatra’s soldier and servant, “making peace or war / As thou affects.”

Cleopatra still doubts Antony’s love for her and teases him, but allows him to leave and wishes him success and victory. Antony says that the distance between Cleopatra and him will not affect their relationship.