Act 2, Scene 7 Summary

The men are at a banquet in Pompey's ship. Lepidus is drunk, and Antony is mocking him. Menas takes Pompey aside and suggests that they remain sober whilst the others become drunk, and take the opportunity to kill their opponents. Pompey refuses. Lepidus is carried away to bed by servants. The others dance and sing, before going off to bed.

Act 2, Scene 7 Analysis

Menas' suggestion marks him out as a politician, an arch-manipulator; Pompey's refusal to murder his enemies, and repeat the wrong done to his father, shows that he still believes in the traditions of personal honor and glory. The two worlds are present at the banquet, represented by the men who take a full part in the entertainment and excess, and those who distance themselves from it in order to take advantage of their opponents. Caesar, to some extent...