Themes
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
Having just won a military victory in Parthia, Ventidius (one of Antony’s men) talks with a soldier named Silius, who encourages him to pursue the Parthians through Mesopotamia. Ventidius, though, says he has done enough for his low rank, and tells Silius that he doesn’t want to acquire “too high a fame.” Silius compliments his intelligence, and the two go to meet Antony in Athens.
Ventidius cleverly decides that it is not worth it to try to achieve too much by pursuing the fleeing enemy. He does not want too much power, and strategizes so as not to put himself in danger of becoming a threat or rival to Antony.
Themes
