Monologue

Antony Monologue from Antony and Cleopatra

From Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:37 min

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Unarm, Eros. The long day’s task is done, And we must sleep.—That thou depart’st hence safe Does pay thy labour richly. Go. (Exit Mardian.) Off, pluck off! The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! Heart, once be stronger than thy continent; Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace! No more a soldier. Bruised pieces, go; You have been nobly borne. From me awhile. (Exit Eros.) I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now All length is torture. Since the torch is out, Lie down, and stray no farther. Now all labour Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles Itself with strength. Seal then, and all is done. Eros!—I come, my queen.—Eros!—Stay for me. Where souls do couch on flowers, we’ll hand in hand, And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze. Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops, And all the haunt be ours.—Come, Eros, Eros! Enter Eros.

About this piece

Antony reflects on his impending death and his longing for Cleopatra, expressing a mix of resignation and hope as he prepares to leave the battlefield behind.

40s · longing · love · death · redemption · identity

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