Act 2, Scene 4 Summary

Lepidus, Maecenas and Agrippa talk on a street in Rome. Lepidus is flattering the two men with praise and good wishes. Agrippa speaks of the marriage of Antony and Octavia. The men leave Lepidus en route to meet their generals; he says he will follow after completing some business in Rome.

Act 2, Scene 4 Analysis

This short scene is designed to show that events are moving at pace towards confrontation between Caesar and Pompey. Their conversation takes place on a street just before the men depart to meet their military leaders: in this way, Shakespeare shows the swift transition from talk to action. Lepidus is busy currying favor with all the major players, although by now we can see through his calculation.