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Act 4, Scene 4
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Antony and Cleopatra, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Love, Pleasure, and Decadence
Honor, Loyalty, and Betrayal
Strategy, Manipulation, and Power
Messages, Warnings, and Omens
Gender Roles
Summary
Analysis
At Antony’s military camp, a soldier informs him that Enobarbus has deserted him for Octavius, but has left his “chests and treasure” behind. Antony orders for these things to be sent to Enobarbus with “gentle adieus and greetings,” lamenting, “O, my fortunes have / Corrupted honest men!”
Antony learns of the disastrous news of Enobarbus’ desertion secondhand from a soldier. He responds not by cutting off all ties to Enobarbus, but by honorably remaining kind to him, showing the extent of his own loyalty to his followers.
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