# Charmian — Antony and Cleopatra character guide

> Charmian in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** good Charmian, noble Charmian, dear Charmian, Charmian Madam, Reenter Charmian

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Cleopatra's sharp-tongued lady-in-waiting, who counsels moderation in love and reads her mistress's moods better than anyone at court.

## Who they are

Charmian moves through Cleopatra's palace with the easy intimacy of a servant who has become a confidante, teasing the soothsayer, bantering with Alexas, and steadying the queen when passion tips toward theatrics. When Cleopatra stages a swoon over Antony's departure, it is Charmian she calls to cut her lace, and Charmian who earlier warned that tempting Antony too far breeds the very fear that destroys love. Her pragmatic voice gives the audience its clearest measure of how much of Cleopatra's storming is performance and how much is grief.

## Relationships

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_friendship_

Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_friendship_

Charmian is a loyal servant of Cleopatra who treats Antony with respect as her queen's beloved.

### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras)

_friendship_

Charmian and Iras are fellow attendants to Cleopatra, sharing a close bond as her trusted companions.

### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras)

_friendship_

Charmian and Iras are fellow attendants to Cleopatra, sharing a close bond as her trusted companions.

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_friendship_

Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_friendship_

Charmian is a loyal servant of Cleopatra who treats Antony with respect as her queen's beloved.

### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra)

_friendship_

Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_friendship_

Charmian is a loyal servant of Cleopatra who treats Antony with respect as her queen's beloved.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Engages the Soothsayer and jokes about her fortune with Iras and Alexas.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Advises Cleopatra on how to handle Antony, warning against pushing him too far.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v)

Attends Cleopatra, teases her about her fixation on Antony, and is rebuked for praising Caesar.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v)

Attends Cleopatra, attempts to calm her, and retrieves the frightened messenger.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Supports Cleopatra's suspicions and reassures her.

### [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xi)

Accompanies Cleopatra and urges her to comfort Antony.

### [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xiii)

Present as Cleopatra's attendant, silently witnessing the confrontation.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Present in the scene as part of Cleopatra's entourage.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Urges Cleopatra to retire to her chamber after Antony departs.

### [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xiii)

Advises Cleopatra to hide in the monument and send word that she is dead.

### [Scene XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xv)

Tries to comfort Cleopatra and assists in drawing Antony up.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Cleopatra's loyal attendant, assists in her suicide and dies by asp herself.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/charmian
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters