MAECENAS This in the public eye? CAESAR I’th’ common showplace, where they exercise. His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings; Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia He gave to Alexander. To Ptolemy he assigned Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She In th’habiliments of the goddess Isis That day appeared, and oft before gave audience, As […]
Continue ReadingCaesar: IS OUTRAGE, what Antony’s been up to (3.6.1-11) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Agrippa, Maecenas, and Caesar CAESAR Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more In Alexandria. Here’s the manner of’t: I’th’ market place on a tribunal silvered, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold Were publicly enthroned. At the feet sat Caesarion, whom they call my father’s son, And all the unlawful issue that […]
Continue ReadingIt’s all kicking off between Antony and Caesar… (3.5.11-21) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
ENOBARBUS Then, world, thou hast a pair of chops, no more, And throw between them all the food thou hast, They’ll grind the one the other. Where’s Antony? EROS He’s walking in the garden, thus, and spurns The rush that lies before him, cries ‘Fool Lepidus!’ And threats the throat of that his officer That […]
Continue ReadingIntroducing EROS, and, Lepidus OUT (3.5.1-10) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Enobarbus and Eros ENOBARBUS How now, friend Eros? EROS There’s strange news come, sir. ENOBARBUS What, man? EROS Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey. ENOBARBUS This is old. What is the success? EROS Caesar, having made use of him in the wars ’gainst Pompey, presently denied him rivality, would not let him […]
Continue ReadingAntony: Caesar started it, OK? (3.4.26-36) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
OCTAVIA Thanks to my lord. The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak, Your reconciler! Wars ’twixt you twain would be As if the world should cleave, and that slain men Should solder up the rift. ANTONY When it appears to you where this begins, Turn your displeasure that way, for our faults […]
Continue ReadingAntony: well, have a go at your brother, then, but I’m losing patience (3.4.18-26) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
ANTONY Gentle Octavia, Let your best love draw to that point which seeks Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour, I lose myself. Better I were not yours Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, Yourself shall go between’s. The meantime, lady, I’ll raise the preparation of a war Shall stain your […]
Continue ReadingOctavia: you’re putting me in an impossible position! (3.4.9-18) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
OCTAVIA O, my good lord, Believe not all, or if you must believe, Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, If this division chance, ne’er stood between, Praying for both parts. The good gods will mock me presently, When I shall pray ‘O, bless my lord and husband!’, Undo that prayer by crying out as […]
Continue ReadingAntony to Octavia: your brother needs to show me some RESPECT (3.4.1-9) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Antony and Octavia ANTONY Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that, That were excusable, that and thousands more Of semblable import; but he hath waged New wars ’gainst Pompey, made his will and read it To public ear, spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not But pay me terms of honour, cold and […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: it’s going to be ok isn’t it? Charmian: course it is (3.3.37-47) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CHARMIAN A proper man. CLEOPATRA Indeed he is so. I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, This creature’s no such thing. CHARMIAN Nothing, madam. CLEOPATRA The man hath seen some majesty, and should know. CHARMIAN Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long! CLEOPATRA I […]
Continue ReadingFat-faced Octavia, and a messenger too clever for his own good (3.3.29-37) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is’t long or round? MESSENGER Round, even to faultiness. CLEOPATRA For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair—what colour? MESSENGER Brown, madam; and her forehead As low as she would wish it. CLEOPATRA [giving money] There’s gold for thee. Thou must not take my […]
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