Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Cleopatra's servants, Charmian, Alexas and Iras, and Antony's friend Enobarbus, are light-heartedly joking with a fortune-teller, or soothsayer, who brings them bad omens. They have been asking for news of wealthy husbands, long life and lasting beauty. Cleopatra enters, looking for Antony; she complains that his mood has been serious of late. They remove themselves on hearing the approach of Antony, who enters with a Messenger. The news from Rome is that Antony's wife and brother are joined in a plot to overthrow the Caesar, whilst other generals are winning praise for their successes in Asia and Arabia. Antony begins to feel his interests ill served by his affair with Cleopatra. A second message brings news of the death of Antony's wife, Fulvia. He is full of regret for her loss and resolves to leave Egypt to save his career. He...