Caesar and Cleopatra

Six months later, Cleopatra is in her chamber listening to an enslaved girl play harp. She is surrounded by her ladies, including her two favorites, Iras and Charmian. Ftatateeta chaperones. The girl’s music master, an old musician, watches her play. Cleopatra asks him if he can teach her how to play the harp since Caesar loves music. He says it will take four years because she must learn the philosophy of Pythagoras. Cleopatra asks if the slave girl had learned Pythagoras, and the musician replies that she had merely been trained like a dog. Cleopatra insists that she can be trained, too. She explains that he can teach her for two weeks, and then after that, he will be beaten each time she misses a note. If she misses too many notes, he will be fed to the crocodiles. The musician is aghast, insisting, “But true art will not be thus forced” (78). Cleopatra gives the girl a piece of gold and sends them away.

Cleopatra asks Iras and Charmian for gossip, and they tell her that Pothinus, Ptolemy’s guardian who is now a prisoner of war, has been attempting to bribe Ftatateeta for a chance to speak to Cleopatra. Cleopatra is disdainful, noting that she only holds audiences with those she wants to see. The girls giggle, and Cleopatra chides them, asking them if they understand why she allows them to speak freely. Charmian responds that it’s because she mimics Caesar, who does the same thing. Cleopatra replies that Caesar had told her to allow her ladies to speak and that she will eventually learn who they are. The girls laugh again, but Iras says that they’re laughing at Caesar, not Cleopatra.

When Ftatateeta returns, Cleopatra asks if Pothinus has been attempting to bribe her for an audience with the queen. Ftatateeta sputters, but Cleopatra tells her to accept it and bring him to her. Iras comments that she wishes that Caesar would return to Rome. Charmain explains, “He makes you terribly prosy and serious and learned and philosophical. It is worse than being religious, at our ages” (80). Cleopatra seethes.

Ftatateeta enters with Pothinus, and Cleopatra asks, “What is the latest news from your rebel friends?” (80) Pothinus insists that as a prisoner, no one shares news with him, and that she doesn’t understand how these things work. Iras and Charmian laugh, and Charmian asserts that Cleopatra stopped being a child after she was tossed from the lighthouse into the ocean. Cleopatra orders everyone except Pothinus to leave. When Ftatateeta hesitates, Cleopatra threatens her. Ftatateeta grumbles and exits, and Pothinus notes that Cleopatra has, in fact, changed. Cleopatra replies that he would also be changed if he had been speaking to Caesar for six months. Pothinus comments that everyone says that Cleopatra is infatuated with Caesar. Cleopatra tells him that Caesar has made her wise, adding, “[I]t is not that I am so clever, but that the others are so stupid” (82). Pothinus agrees. Cleopatra asks Pothinus why he wanted to see her, but he is suddenly abashed. She points out that he had planned to ask her something, but he had expected her to still be a child and now he can’t. Pothinus abashedly admits that she is correct. Pothinus wonders if Cleopatra is really the queen, or if she is a slave and prisoner like everyone else. She tells him that they’re all his slaves, but when Caesar rules, she will lead as queen.

Pothinus asks if Caesar loves Cleopatra, and Cleopatra scoffs, stating that Caesar doesn’t have any special feelings for her and would treat any other girl the same way. Moreover, Cleopatra is in love with another Roman, and Caesar has agreed to send him to her. Cleopatra exclaims that Pothinus could never understand Caesar, but she does. Pothinus asks what she called him there to tell him, and Cleopatra states that Pothinus may think that because he is Ptolemy’s guardian, he will rule Egypt with Ptolemy on the throne, but in the end, Caesar will eat them all alive and leave Egypt under Cleopatra’s reign. Pothinus argues that their armies outnumber the Romans. Cleopatra leaves.

Ftatateeta, who has been listening, enters. She points out that Cleopatra sees Egyptians as children. She suggests that Pothinus go to see Lucius Septimus, the Roman who had killed Pompey, and ask him to speak to her. Pothinus curses Cleopatra and promises to bring an even greater Roman, insisting that any ruler is better for Egypt than “a woman with a Roman heart” (84), swearing that Cleopatra will never rule Egypt if Pothinus is alive.

Rufio is led to the roof of the palace where the table is set for a feast. There is a garden, and a statue of Ra. Caesar joins him, musing at Rufio’s well-groomed appearance and telling Rufio that they are dressed up for his birthday. Rufio quips that Caesar always seems to have a birthday when there’s an attractive woman involved, and that they had celebrated Caesar’s birthday seven times over the course of 10 months.

Caesar admits that Rufio is correct, and tells him that along with Cleopatra, Apollodorus will also be joining them. Rufio points out that he had arrived early to dinner to have a word alone with Caesar. Caesar claps his hands and a set of curtains parts to reveal a garden and a lavish table, and he explains, “Now everybody can see us, nobody will think of listening to us” (87). Rufio tells Caesar that Pothinus wants to meet with him and suggests that Caesar agree because the women around the palace seem to be scheming. Caesar is annoyed that Pothinus is still there and hasn’t escaped, since his policy is for Rufio to always let prisoners escape unless told otherwise. Rufio says that Pothinus insists on staying and would rather spy than have his freedom.

Caesar agrees to speak to Pothinus, and Rufio calls him in. Pothinus tells Caesar that he may think that Cleopatra is loyal, but she is betraying him. Before he can elaborate, Cleopatra enters, stunningly dressed. Caesar stands and gives Cleopatra his seat. Cleopatra asks why Pothinus is there, and Caesar explains that he is talking about Cleopatra, urging him to continue. Pothinus stammers, insisting that he must say what he came to say to Caesar only. Cleopatra threatens Pothinus, but Caesar dismisses him, stating that they will not see each other again.

Pothinus demands to be heard, telling Caesar that Cleopatra wants him to leave Egypt because she expects Caesar to take the crown from Ptolemy and give it to her, and she is impatient to be the ruler. Cleopatra furiously denies this, but Caesar, unperturbed, asserts that it’s only natural that Cleopatra would feel that way. Caesar tells Cleopatra that she may believe that it isn’t true, but it is, and Caesar isn’t bothered by something so expected. Caesar rises and asks Rufio to come with him to accompany Pothinus out. After they exit, Cleopatra whispers to Ftatateeta that Pothinus must be killed before he is allowed to leave the palace. Ftatateeta agrees.

Caesar returns with Apollodorus and Rufio. Ftatateeta exits, and Cleopatra greets Caesar happily, worried that he might be upset. Cleopatra tells them about the elaborate delicacies and extravagant wine she has planned for dinner, chiding Caesar for his simplistic tastes until he agrees to partake. Cleopatra prods, asking if he thinks that she wants him to return to Rome. Caesar replies, “I no longer believe anything. My brains are asleep. Besides, who know whether I shall return to Rome?” (93)

Rufio reacts with alarm, but Caesar suggests that he and Cleopatra seek out the mysteries of the Nile and forget about Rome. Ecstatic, Cleopatra agrees. They debate what to name the new kingdom, and Cleopatra exclaims that since the Nile is a god and her ancestor, she can call on him to name himself. The others look befuddled as Cleopatra tells her chief servant to fetch him. A priest enters with a small sphinx and burns incense in front of it. The men try to hide their awe as the sunlight changes colors. Cleopatra explains that they should usually make a sacrifice, but if Caesar asks, he might be satisfied with some wine. Apollodorus makes a joke about asking the statue of Ra, but Cleopatra silences him lest Ra hear and become angry.

Caesar is skeptical, but they all repeat after Cleopatra when she says, “Send us thy voice, Father Nile” (96). Suddenly, they hear a man’s terror-filled scream. The three men are alarmed, but Cleopatra calmly pours out her wine to the Nile. Rufio is certain that he sees a man being stabbed. Caesar sends Apollodorus to find out what is happening. There are sounds of a crowd below. Ftatateeta enters, looking satisfied and a little drunk. Cleopatra embraces her enthusiastically, kissing her and giving her the jewelry she is wearing. Ftatateeta falls to her knees in front of the altar to Ra and prays.

Caesar implores Cleopatra to tell him what happened, but Cleopatra tells him sweetly that she is innocent, reminding him that they have been together the entire time. Caesar admits that this is true. Rufio announces that he will go and find out what is going on, entreating Ftatateeta to join him. But she refuses to leave Cleopatra’s side. Caesar tells Rufio to leave her alone and he gives in, deciding to stay where he is himself and let Caesar find out what is happening. Caesar asserts, “Rufio: there is a time for obedience,” and Rufio replies, “And there is a time for obstinacy” (98).

Caesar tells Cleopatra to send Ftatateeta away, and Cleopatra, simpering and wanting to please him, does so. Ftatateeta readily agrees and Rufio follows. Caesar comments that Cleopatra is hiding something. Cleopatra begins to cry, but stops herself when she sees Caesar’s cold response, noting that she knows that he doesn’t abide crying. Cleopatra prattles about how she hopes that everything is all right and no one is hurt, but Caesar sees through her, asking why she is so afraid. The sound of a trumpet answers his question. Cleopatra states, “I have not betrayed you, Caesar: I swear it” (98). Caesar responds, “I know that. I have not trusted you” (99).

Apollodorus and Britannus enter, pulling Lucius Septimus with them. Caesar is disturbed to see the man who murdered Pompey. Rufio tells Caesar that the citizens are in an uproar, and they had grabbed Lucius Septimus while he was trying to control the crowd. Caesar is stunned when Lucius Septimus informs him that Pothinus was thrown off the building and died. Caesar turns to Rufio who quickly states that whoever had killed Pothinus had done Caesar a favor, but it hadn’t been him.

In a fury, Cleopatra announces, “He was slain by order of the Queen of Egypt. I am not Julius Caesar the dreamer, who allows every slave to insult him” (99). She exclaims that she had ordered his death because he tried to betray her. Apollodorus and Britannus both agree that she did the right thing. Caesar, however, says that vengeance begets vengeance. Pothinus’s followers will now want to kill Cleopatra. And then it will fall to Caesar to avenge her death, and they will avenge that murder by killing Caesar, “and so, to the end of history, murder shall breed murder, always in the name of right and honor and peace, until the gods are tired of blood and create a race that can understand” (100).

Cleopatra begs Caesar not to leave her, and Caesar rebukes her for destroying the peace that he had built with his leniency. Rufio pleads with Caesar not to let them all die. Caesar asserts that they had enraged the people, and that they’ll be coming for all of them, including Caesar. Lucius Septimus offers to fight with Caesar, informing him that the reinforcements of Roman armies had finally made it into the city.

With excitement, Caesar names Lucius his officer and begins to sketch battle plans. The crowd in the street will be easily overwhelmed with the influx of relief forces. Caesar orders the slaves to remove everything from the feast. Caesar starts to exit and address the troops, but Cleopatra stops him. Caesar is kind but unemotional, stating, “I am busy now, my child, busy. When I return your affairs shall be settled” (104). Caesar leaves, and Cleopatra is silent with anger and embarrassment. Rufio states, “That game is played and lost, Cleopatra. The woman always gets the worst of it” (104).

Rufio growls that Cleopatra’s man ought to have gone for Pothinus’s throat. Cryptically, Cleopatra asks why Rufio is sure that the killer was a man. Perplexed, Rufio starts to exit and sees Ftatateeta, kneeling in prayer before Ra. Cleopatra snarls, “Whoever it was, let my enemies beware of her. Look to it, Rufio, you who dare to make the Queen of Egypt a fool before Caesar” (105). With seriousness, Rufio relents and leaves. In the distance, the Roman soldiers shout, “Hail, Caesar!” (105) Desolate and left by herself, Cleopatra calls to Ftatateeta to come to her. When she receives no response, she panics and pulls away the curtain and finds Ftatateeta, dead with her throat slit, lying on the altar of Ra.

Amid a festival and military celebration, a ship awaits at the harbor to take Caesar back to Rome. Cleopatra’s ladies are finely dressed and gathered around the gate. On one side, there is a line of Roman soldiers. On the other, there is a line of Egyptian soldiers, including Belzanor and the Persian soldier from the first scene of the play. Civilians crowd around to watch the revelry.

Apollodorus makes his way through the masses, and the soldiers allow him through. Belzanor and the Persian ask Apollodorus for news and whether Caesar has killed the priests. Instead, the priests have shown Caesar deference, and Caesar has been merciful. Apollodorus tells the two men that young King Ptolemy drowned in the Nile when Caesar’s forces attacked his ship. Belzanor and the Persian marvel at this.

Caesar enters with Rufio and Britannus. Rufio mentions that Caesar still needs to name a Roman governor for the province. Caesar suggests the leader of the army that had saved them, but Rufio replies that he might need him somewhere else. Rufio is surprised when Caesar names him governor, since he has no noble lineage, but Caesar responds, “Has not Caesar called you his son?” (108) To the crowd, Caesar announces that Rufio will be governor and Rufio kisses his hand.

Next, Caesar calls for Britannus, praising his bravery and loyalty, which are more befitting of a free man than a slave. Britannus replies, “Only as Caesar’s slave have I found real freedom” (109). Touched, Caesar states that he had considered setting him free, but now he can’t bear to let him go. Britannus gratefully kisses Caesar’s hand.

Finally, Caesar leaves Apollodorus in charge of Egyptian art. Caesar notes that he is forgetting something but says goodbye anyways. As Caesar makes his way to the ship, Cleopatra enters. She is wearing black with no jewelry or decoration. Caesar doesn’t notice her until she speaks. Caesar goes to her happily, expressing gladness that he hadn’t left without seeing her. He asks if she is wearing black to mourn for him, but she says no.

Caesar guesses that it must be for her brother, but Cleopatra suggests that he ask his newly appointed governor. Caesar is confused, and Rufio asks what Caesar would do if he came upon a lion who wanted to eat him. Caesar states that he would kill it. Rufio replies that Cleopatra had her own tigress to kill for her, so Rufio had put her down after she killed Pothinus.

Cleopatra explicitly says that Rufio killed Ftatateeta, and Caesar says this was necessary, which upsets Cleopatra. Caesar charmingly asks her not to be angry. She laughs but refuses to forgive him. Caesar promises to send her a gift from Rome—Mark Antony—and Cleopatra embraces him. Caesar kisses her forehead, and she begins to cry as Caesar leaves. Roman soldiers shout, “Hail, Caesar!” (113) as he sails away.