NOTE: Even though we talked a little about Act 2, we'll come back to it a little on Thursday. However, try to read through Act 3 for class, and we'll do an in-class writing to launch off our discussion. Some ideas to consider...
* Why does Enobarbus switch into verse when he gives his famous speech about Cleopatra in Act 2? What does this say about his attitude toward her? Is he as racist as the Romans? Or is he an Egyptian at heart?
* Somewhat related to the above, what role does Enobarbus seem to perform in the play? Though a loyal supporter of Antony, why is he looking for a way out in Act 3? Or was this always his intention? Is he a Brutus or Cassius to Antony's Caesar (to cite our previous play)?
* What is Caesar's opinion of Antony throughout these acts, but especially in Act 2? Why does he agree to marry off his sister to her, especially given their heated words at their historic meeting?
* What role does the Soothsayer play throughout these acts, and how might it echo the one we saw in Julius Caesar ("beware the ides of March")? And why might Shakespeare always slip in some element of the supernatural into his tragedies?
* Why does Cleopatra sabotage Antony's sea battle against Caesar in Act 3? Was this a test of her love? Or was she secretly plotting against him?
* In the big fight between Antony and Cleopatra in 3.13, Antony says some very nasty things to her, to which she responds, "Not know me yet?" What does she mean by this? What does she think he should 'know' about her, especially since she often hides her true intentions?
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