Summary: Act IV, scene i
Caesar, encamped near the Egyptian capital of Alexandria,
receives Antony’s challenge and laughs at it. Maecenas counsels
him to take advantage of Antony’s rage, for “[n]ever anger / Made
good guard for itself” (IV.i.9–10). Caesar
prepares his army—swelled by deserters from his enemy’s troops—and
plans to crush Antony for good.
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Act IV, scene i →
Summary: Act IV, scene ii
Enobarbus brings word to Antony that Caesar has refused
to fight him. Antony asks why, and Enobarbus suggests that Caesar
is so sure of success that one-on-one combat seems unfair. Antony declares
that he will fight the next day, whether it brings him victory or
death. He thanks his servants for their faithful service and warns them
that this night might be his last night with them. They begin to weep,
and Enobarbus, with tears in his eyes, rebukes Antony for such a
morbid speech. Antony says that he did not mean to cause sorrow,
and, as he leads them off toward a bountiful feast, urges them to
enjoy their evening together.
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Act IV, scene ii →
Summary: Act IV, scene iii
That night, Antony’s soldiers hear strange music resounding
from somewhere underground. They whisper that it is the music of
Hercules, the god after whom Antony modeled himself and who they believe
now abandons him.
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Act IV, scene iii →
Summary: Act IV, scene iv
The following day, Eros arms Antony for battle, and Cleopatra insists
on helping. Antony feels confident about the coming fight, promising
Cleopatra that anyone who attempts to undo his armor before he is
ready to remove it and rest will confront his rage. An armed soldier
enters and reports that a thousand others stand ready for Antony’s
command. Antony bids Cleopatra adieu, kisses her, and leads his
men into battle.
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Act IV, scene iv →
Summary: Act IV, scene v
Preparing for battle, Antony admits he wishes he had taken
the earlier opportunity to oppose Caesar on land. A soldier comments
that had he done so, he would still count Enobarbus as an ally.
This report is the first Antony has heard of his most trusted friend’s
desertion, and the news shocks him. At first he does not believe
it, but Eros then points to the “chests and treasure” Enobarbus
left behind (IV.v.10). Antony orders soldiers
to deliver Enobarbus’s possessions to him, along with “gentle adieus
and greetings,” and laments that his “fortunes have / Corrupted
honest men” (IV.v.14–17).
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Act IV, scene v →
Summary: Act IV, scene vi
Caesar, feeling certain of his victory, orders Agrippa
to begin the battle. Caesar orders that the front lines be fitted
with soldiers who have deserted Antony, so that Antony will feel
like he that he is wasting his efforts fighting himself. Enobarbus
receives the treasure and is overcome by guilt, realizing that he
has become a common traitor. Deciding that he would rather die than
fight against Antony, he declares himself a villain and goes to
seek out a ditch in which to die.
