Previous
Setting
Definition of Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often... read full definition
Act 1, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Antony, the God of War:
In Act 1, Scene 1, Philo utilizes simile to describe his perception of Antony's skill as a general:
PHILO: Those his goodly eyes,
That o’er the files and musters of the war
Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn
The office and devotion of their view
Upon a tawny front.
Act 1, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Antony as a Soldier:
Extending his use of simile, in Act 1, Scene 4, Caesar further laments Antony's perceived loss to the wiles of Cleopatra:
Unlock with LitCharts A+CAESAR: Yea, like the stag when snow the pasture sheets,
The barks of trees thou browsèd. On the Alps
It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh
Which some did die to look on.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Antony's Immaturity:
The following passage from Act 1, Scene 4 sheds further light on Caesar's opinion of Antony and his behavior. He utilizes simile to clarify his thoughts:
Unlock with LitCharts A+If he filled
His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones
Call on him for ’t. But to confound such time
That drums him from his sport and speaks as loud
As his own state and ours, ’tis to be chid
As we rate boys who, being mature in knowledge,
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure
And so rebel to judgment.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Caesar on Pompey:
In Act 1, Scene 4, Caesar reflects on Pompey's influence, stating through the use of simile that:
Unlock with LitCharts A+This common body,
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide
To rot itself with motion.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Antony's Faults:
In the following passage from Act 1, Scene 4, Lepidus defends Antony in the face of a scathing indictment from Caesar, juxtaposing Caesar's assertion of Antony's moral ineptitude. Lepidus utilizes simile to this end:
Unlock with LitCharts A+LEPIDUS: I must not think there are
Evils enough to darken all his goodness.
His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
More fiery by night’s blackness, hereditary
Rather than purchased, what he cannot change
Than what he chooses.
Related Themes:
Act 1, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Between the Extremes:
In Act 1, Scene 5, Cleopatra receives news of Antony from Alexas. She quizzes him about everything she can possibly think of, asking questions to ascertain his state of mind. Alexas responds with a simile to describe Antony's mental state:
Unlock with LitCharts A+CLEOPATRA: What, was he sad, or merry?
ALEXAS: Like to the time o’ th’ year between th’ extremes
Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Cleopatra's Emotions:
Over the course of Act 2, Scene 5, Cleopatra oscillates between extremes of emotion, alternately lashing out against and reassuring the messenger who brings her news of Antony's whereabouts. Cleopatra attacks the messenger verbally, utilizing simile and allusion to warn him of the dangers of bringing her bad news:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Well, go to, I will.
But there’s no goodness in thy face—if Antony
Be free and healthful, so tart a favor
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crowned with snakes,
Not like a formal man.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Eunuchs and Women:
In Act 2, Scene 5, Cleopatra entreats Mardian, a eunuch, to come play billiards with her, utilizing the following simile to describe him:
Unlock with LitCharts A+CLEOPATRA: As well a woman with an eunuch played
As with a woman.—Come, you’ll play with me, sir?
Related Themes:
