Antony and Cleopatra: Act 3, Scene 13 Summary & Analysis

Back at Cleopatra’s palace, she asks Enobarbus what they should do, and whether she or Antony is at fault for what has happened. Enobarbus blames Antony for following her in fleeing from Actium. Antony enters with his ambassador, and tells Cleopatra about Octavius’ reply. Angry, Antony says he will give Octavius a counter-offer: he will challenge Octavius to a one-on-one duel. He leaves with the ambassador to write this message.

Enobarbus says that there is no way Octavius will discard all of his advantages and enter into a duel with Antony. Thidias arrives from Octavius, and Enobarbus wonders to himself whether he should remain loyal to Antony, saying that “the loyalty well held to fools does make / Our faith mere folly.”

Thidias tells Cleopatra that Octavius knows she did not really love Antony, but only “fear’d him,” and thus is willing to forgive her. Cleopatra agrees with Thidias, and Enobarbus leaves, thinking that even Cleopatra is deserting Antony now. Cleopatra tells Thidias that she is more than willing to surrender to Octavius, and Thidias tells her this is a wise decision. He kisses her hand, and Cleopatra says that Octavius’ father (Julius Caesar) often kissed her hand.

Antony re-enters with Enobarbus and is furious to see Octavius’ man Thidias kissing Cleopatra’s hand. He calls in servants to take Thidias away and whip him, “till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face, / And whine aloud for mercy.” Antony angrily shouts at Cleopatra, saying that she abuses him and that she has “been a boggler ever.”

Antony reminds Cleopatra of how he found her, “a morsel cold upon / Dead Caesar’s trencher,” and continues to berate her for betraying him. His servants return with Thidias, who has been beaten. Antony sends Thidias back to Octavius to tell him how he has been treated here. Thidias leaves, and Antony laments that “the fall of Antony” is near.

Antony asks Cleopatra if she would really leave him for Octavius, and Cleopatra tells him that she would never do such a thing. She wishes for her and all her children to die, if she should betray him in this way. Antony is convinced of her fidelity to him, and resolves to face Octavius with his land forces. He has regained his courage, and promises to fight bravely.

Antony says he will have “one other gaudy night,” and calls for wine. He plans to drink and enjoy himself tonight, before preparing again for battle against Octavius. Everyone but Enobarbus leaves. Enobarbus reflects that Antony is being unreasonable, like a little dove trying to “peck the estridge,” i.e. an ostrich. He decides to abandon Antony.