Cleopatra’s Monologue: Act 4, Scene 15

"No more but e’en a woman, and commanded…"

This powerful monologue from Antony and Cleopatra captures Cleopatra's grief and her resolve following Antony’s death. It showcases her deep love, despair, and ultimate decision to face death with Roman honour, determined to transcend her sorrow with dignity.

Synopsis

After Antony’s failed suicide attempt, he dies in Cleopatra’s arms, leaving her overwhelmed with loss and anguish. In this moment, Cleopatra contemplates the futility of patience, the injustice of the gods, and the nobility of choosing death over subjugation. She resolves to honour Antony with a burial and face death in a manner befitting her royal status.

What’s Just Happened Before This Moment That’s Relevant to the Scene?

Believing Cleopatra has betrayed him, Antony attempts suicide but survives. He is brought to Cleopatra’s monument, where he dies in her arms, reaffirming their love. Cleopatra is left to face her grief alone, grappling with the weight of his death and the looming threat of Caesar.

Original Text

No more but e’en a woman, and commanded
By such poor passion as the maid that milks
And does the meanest chares. It were for me
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stolen our jewel. All’s but naught;
Patience is sottish, and impatience does
Become a dog that’s mad. Then is it sin
To rush into the secret house of death
Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
What, what, good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian?
My noble girls! Ah, women, women! Look,
Our lamp is spent, it’s out. Good sirs, take heart.
We’ll bury him, and then, what’s brave, what’s noble,
Let’s do’t after the high Roman fashion
And make death proud to take us. Come, away.
This case of that huge spirit now is cold.
Ah, women, women! Come, we have no friend
But resolution and the briefest end.

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language

*"Now I am reduced to nothing more than a woman, ruled by weak emotions like a milkmaid doing her humble chores. I should hurl my sceptre at the unjust gods and tell them that our mortal world was their equal until they stole our greatest treasure. Everything is meaningless; patience is foolish, and impatience makes one mad like a dog. So, is it wrong to hasten into death’s embrace before it naturally comes to us?

How are you, my ladies? Cheer up! What’s wrong, Charmian? My noble women! Oh, look, our light has gone out. Take courage, dear friends. We’ll bury Antony, and then, whatever is brave and noble, we’ll face death in the grand Roman way and make death proud to claim us. Come, let’s go. This body, which once held such a mighty spirit, is now lifeless. Oh, my women! Come, we have no ally but our resolve and a quick end."*

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words

• E’en: Even.

• Chares: Chores or tasks.

• Injurious gods: Gods who act unjustly or harmfully.

• Sottish: Foolish or senseless.

• Secret house of death: The grave or death itself.

• High Roman fashion: The Roman ideal of facing death with dignity and honour.

• Resolution: Determination or resolve.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs

1. No more but e’en a woman, and commanded
   By such poor passion as the maid that milks
   And does the meanest chares.

   • Cleopatra reflects on her reduced state, equating herself to a common milkmaid controlled by simple emotions.

2. It were for me
   To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
   To tell them that this world did equal theirs
   Till they had stolen our jewel.

   • She contemplates rebuking the gods, asserting that the mortal world was as great as theirs until Antony’s death.

3. All’s but naught;
   Patience is sottish, and impatience does
   Become a dog that’s mad.

   • Cleopatra declares that everything is meaningless, denouncing patience as foolish and impatience as wild madness.

4. Then is it sin
   To rush into the secret house of death
   Ere death dare come to us?

   • She questions whether it is wrong to take her own life rather than wait for natural death.

5. How do you, women?
   What, what, good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian?
   My noble girls! Ah, women, women! Look,
   Our lamp is spent, it’s out. Good sirs, take heart.

   • She turns to her attendants, encouraging them to stay strong despite their shared grief.

6. We’ll bury him, and then, what’s brave, what’s noble,
   Let’s do’t after the high Roman fashion
   And make death proud to take us.

   • Cleopatra resolves to bury Antony and then face her own death with dignity, emulating Roman ideals.

7. Come, away.
   This case of that huge spirit now is cold.
   Ah, women, women! Come, we have no friend
   But resolution and the briefest end.

   • She acknowledges Antony’s lifeless body and concludes that their only remaining option is a swift and resolute death.

Journey Keypoints: Hook, Turning Point, Climax, and Resolution

• Hook: Cleopatra reflects on her emotional state, lamenting her reduced status.

• Turning Point: She denounces the gods and questions the morality of suicide.

• Climax: Cleopatra resolves to face death nobly, inspired by Roman ideals.

• Resolution: She decides to bury Antony and end her life with dignity.

Conclusion

Cleopatra’s monologue captures the grief, strength, and nobility of one of Shakespeare’s most iconic heroines. Her resolve to meet death with dignity exemplifies her indomitable spirit.

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