Enobarbus in William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra

Antony’s confidant, he deserted his comrade before the battle of Alexandria and dies of shame. Enobarbus, in William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, often functions as a detached observer on events and on other characters. His comments are generally objective and filled with cynicism but never without truth behind them. Such a character not only blends within him the elements of loyalty and betrayal, wittiness and honesty, but also performs important roles in the better understanding of the other major characters in the play.

The artistic representation of Enobarbus is most apparent through the juxtaposition of truth and cynicism, a paradox that can be attributed to most of his speeches. Enobarbus at his introduction appears to be an opulent man who is found in Cleopatra’s court expressing in erotic banter: “most of our fortune tonight, shall be/drunk to bed” (I.ii.46-47), obscures his appearance as a worldly man whose prudence nevertheless averts his practice of cynicism. This is most particularly manifested against the general Roman attitudes towards Cleopatra that are revealed in Philo’s opening exaltation, Enobarbus’ shares a completely different view of the queen of Egypt—“ her passions are made of nothing but/the finest part of pure love” (I.ii.148-49)—though we recognize that his reaction to the death of Fulvia is indeed cynical, as is pointed out by Antony, “no more light answers” (I.ii.178). From this, the readers are shown with a wittily humorous character who is nevertheless a credible guide in offering an insight to the common sense in private matters in the tragedy’s shifting moods. Readers also realize that despite his wit and humor, Enobarbus is subtle and not at all unreasonable. This is evident in his words w...

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...infidelity of the world that surrounds Mark Antony.

Ergo, Enobarbus is depicted as more than a man of reason who has a detached view of the world around who has the capabilities to rationally and objectively analyze his situation. Through his acute digressions and witty humors, the readers are able to explore into the more complex dimensions of the major characters of the play. Even though for all his cynicism and subtle understanding of the Roman political rivalries and alliances, he is labeled with his last words that condemns himself as a “master-leaver and a fugitive” (IV.x.22), who salvages his loyalty and seeks redemption through his final exaltation.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. Barbara

Everett. New York: Signet Classic 1988

OED Online Oxford University Press