The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra Power Quotes Page 2

Caesar repeats what’s become a motif in the play: men out of power are wished into power until they get there, and men in power are never missed or appreciated until they’ve left it. People are ungrateful, or unable to see the good in front of them, especially when it comes to those who rule them. It’s easier to complain against those in power than to praise their good.

Pompey knows his powers are strong by themselves, but they’re helped by the sorry state of his enemies. Antony’s power is hurt by his devotion to Egypt, Caesar is deceived and gains money from his people through their fear rather than love, and Lepidus simply has no power. Power is diminished by diverse causes.

Pompey tries to get an edge over Antony, perhaps because the truce Pompey has just made admittedly weakens his own power. Pompey tries to suggest that Antony is weak in matters of love, and is conquered by Cleopatra as she once conquered Julius Caesar. Enobarbus cuts off this talk before it comes to anything, but it highlights the fact that Antony’s submission to Cleopatra does have some bearing on his political power – at least in the eyes of other Romans.