Act 3, Scene 7 Summary

Enobarbus tries to persuade Cleopatra that she should not physically take part in the wars against Caesar, but she refuses his advice. Antony gives his reason for fighting at sea, when the odds are not in his favor: he says that Caesar has challenged him to do so. A messenger brings news of Caesar's swift progress, and Antony leaves for his ship, even though one of his soldiers urges him to fight instead by land, where his forces are strongest.

Act 3, Scene 7 Analysis

Antony is acting under the influence of his traditional soldierly virtues, and is about to fight a battle for which he is unprepared. He demonstrates heroism, but also recklessness. Cleopatra shows similar traits, even when Enobarbus points out that, as a childbearing woman, she is vital to the future of her Empire. His pun on the word 'bear'...