Antony and Cleopatra Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 4, Scene 6 Summary

Act 4, Scene 6 Summary

The battle: Caesar orders Antony to be taken alive, and for Antony's captured soldiers to be dumped in the middle of the field, so that Antony must suffer losses on his side to reach the opposition. Enobarbus reports that Caesar has arrested and hanged Alexas, after the former servant of Cleopatra had persuaded King Herod to join Caesar and forsake Antony. He regrets leaving Antony, and offers his treasure to a soldier. He decides not to fight against his former friend.

Act 4, Scene 6 Analysis

Caesar's speaks about the "universal peace" (line 5) that will follow his victory. His desire to achieve peace for the Empire and to manage its wealth may not be glorious in the manner of Antony's heroics, but it is reasonable, and perhaps even enlightened. On the other hand, Antony's generosity to Enobarbus exposes the negative side to political life in the new Roman Empire: the hazards of deception and...
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