Act 4, Scene 1 Summary

Caesar receives the latest message from Alexandria and laughs at Antony's challenge to duel. He and Mecaenas discuss the imminent battle, with Caesar remarking that enough of Antony's troops have defected to give Caesar the advantage by land as well as sea.

Act 4, Scene 1 Analysis

This scene shows how vulnerable Antony's old values are in the face of scheming opposition. In comparison to the previous scene, this opening to Act IV is short and simplistic, and in terms of the tone and content, it is the antithesis, or opposite, of that which has gone before it. Caesar and his men plot calmly; no one questions the orders or talks of mutiny. In contrast, what passes between Antony and Cleopatra is dramatic and emotional, and his friends no longer support him.