Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 14 Summary & Analysis

Elsewhere in the palace, Antony talks with Eros. He describes how “sometimes we see a cloud that’s dragonish; / A vapour sometime like a bear or lion.” He describes how these clouds change shapes “and mock our eyes with air,” and how “that which is now a horse, even with a thought / The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, / As water is in water.” He tells Eros that he himself is like these clouds and that he “cannot hold this visible shape.”

Antony blames his defeat on Cleopatra, who he thinks betrayed him to Octavius and didn’t truly love him. Mardian enters and tells Antony that Cleopatra really did love him. He tells Antony that she killed herself and her dying words were “Antony! Most noble Antony!” Antony sends Mardian and Eros away, and proclaims that his heart is broken.

Alone, Antony says that he will follow her example and end his own life. He says that they will see each other in the afterlife. Antony calls for Eros to come back, and tells him that he has resolved to end his own life, so that he will not “lack the courage of a woman,” as Cleopatra has already done this. He tells Eros to stab him, telling him, “’tis Caesar thou defeat’st.”

Eros does not want to kill his master, but Antony tells him that this would be better than him being humiliated and shamed as a prisoner in Rome. Eros says he will do it reluctantly, and tells Antony to turn around so he doesn’t have to look into his face as he kills him. Antony does so, and Eros says farewell to him. Eros draws his sword and Antony prepares for the blow, but Eros stabs himself instead.

Antony turns around and sees what has happened. He praises Eros’ bravery and loyalty, and says that he will go to his death “as to a lover’s bed.” He stabs himself, but is only wounded. One of his men, Dercetas, enters with a guard. Antony tells them to finish what he has begun, by killing him, but no one will do so.

Diomedes, one of Cleopatra’s servants, enters and tells Antony that Cleopatra has sent him. He says that Cleopatra is alive and “lock’d in her monument.” Antony calls for his guards and asks to be carried to Cleopatra. He tells them not to be too sorrowful at his death, but to “bid that welcome / Which comes to punish us.”