# Cleopatra — Antony and Cleopatra character guide > Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Cleopatra Caesar, Cleopatra Antonius, Salt Cleopatra **First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i ## Snapshot Egypt's queen, whose every passion — chide, laugh, weep — is staged to be admired, and who would set a bourn on how far she is beloved. ## Who they are Cleopatra rules a wealthy eastern kingdom and holds Antony in a love that is also performance, politics, and sport. She mocks his Roman duties even as she fears them, taunting him about Fulvia and the scarce-bearded Caesar while daring him to prove his devotion. Her appetite for spectacle and her refusal to be measured make her the magnetic counterweight to everything Rome demands of him. ## Relationships ### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony) _romantic_ Passionate, tumultuous lovers whose intense romance is intertwined with political power and mutual destruction. ### [Charmian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/charmian) _friendship_ Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows. ### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras) _friendship_ Iras is Cleopatra's loyal attendant and close companion, sharing in her intimate moments and final tragedy. ### [Dolabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/dolabella) _social_ Dolabella is an envoy of Octavius who interacts with Cleopatra after Antony's death, showing her some courtesy. ### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas) _rivalry_ Cleopatra and Menas are on opposing sides, as Menas serves Pompey who fights against Antony and Cleopatra. ### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony) _romantic_ Passionate, tumultuous lovers whose intense romance is intertwined with political power and mutual destruction. ### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras) _friendship_ Iras is Cleopatra's loyal attendant and close companion, sharing in her intimate moments and final tragedy. ### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony) _romantic_ Passionate, tumultuous lovers whose intense romance is intertwined with political power and mutual destruction. ### [Charmian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/charmian) _friendship_ Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows. ### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras) _friendship_ Iras is Cleopatra's loyal attendant and close companion, sharing in her intimate moments and final tragedy. ### [Charmian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/charmian) _friendship_ Charmian is Cleopatra's devoted lady-in-waiting and close confidante, sharing in her joys and sorrows. ### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas) _rivalry_ Cleopatra and Menas are on opposing sides, as Menas serves Pompey who fights against Antony and Cleopatra. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Teases Antony about his obligations to Fulvia and Caesar, and challenges his commitment. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii) Briefly appears, sensing Antony's Roman thoughts; orders Enobarbus to fetch him. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) Feigns sickness and sullenness, accuses Antony of false love, and manipulates him emotionally. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v) Expresses obsessive longing for Antony, recalls past affairs with Caesar and Pompey, and vows to send daily messages. ### [Scene I: Pompey's House in Messina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i) Mentioned as 'Salt Cleopatra' and 'Egypt's widow,' whose charms keep Antony in Egypt. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v) Shifts from playful longing to violent fury upon hearing of Antony's marriage to Octavia, then collects herself to demand details about her rival. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii) Interrogates the messenger about Octavia, showing jealousy and insecurity. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vi) Cleopatra is depicted as having been publicly enthroned by Antony, appearing as the goddess Isis, and is blamed for turning Antony against Rome. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vii) Insists on participating in the war and influences Antony's decision to fight by sea. ### [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xi) Entering with Charmian and Iras, she seeks Antony's forgiveness for her fearful sails during the battle. ### [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xiii) Defensive and manipulative, she attempts to placate Antony after his rage, swearing loyalty while having earlier entertained Caesar's messenger. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii) Cleopatra observes Antony's strange mood and questions Enobarbas about his meaning, showing concern. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv) Helps Antony with his armor and expresses a wish that the war could be settled by single combat between Antony and Caesar. ### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-viii) Joins Antony after the battle; receives his praise and offers a golden armor to Scarus. ### [Scene XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xii) Cleopatra enters to find Antony furious, is accused of treachery, and is driven away by his threats of violence and public humiliation. ### [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xiii) In a state of panic, she orders her women to help her and decides to feign death to escape Antony's wrath. ### [Scene XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xv) Grieves over Antony, refuses comfort, and resolves to die nobly after burying him. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Sends an Egyptian messenger to Caesar seeking instruction; confined in her monument. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii) Queen of Egypt, captured by Caesar, resolves to die nobly rather than be paraded in Rome. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters