# Enobarbus — Antony and Cleopatra character guide

> Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Enobarbas, Domitius, Enobarbas Antony, Enobarbas Caesar, Enobarbus

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

## Snapshot

Antony's plainspoken friend, whose dry asides puncture Roman pomp and who watches his general's decline with a soldier's unflinching, sorrowful eye.

## Who they are

Enobarbus moves between Antony's camp and Caesar's with a veteran's ease, trading wry commentary with Agrippa while the great men posture. He loves Antony but sees him clearly, and his loyalty is the kind that keeps score. His running judgment — that Antony weeps when he should act, that Caesar's grief is a cloud on a face — gives the audience its most honest measure of the triumvirs.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Enobarbus is Antony's loyal but pragmatic friend and military officer, who eventually deserts him out of disillusionment.

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

_professional_

Enobarbus is Antony's loyal but pragmatic friend and military officer, who eventually deserts him out of disillusionment.

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

_professional_

Enobarbus is Antony's loyal but pragmatic friend and military officer, who eventually deserts him out of disillusionment.

## In the story

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

Exchanges witty banter with Antony about women and duty; comments on Cleopatra's passions.

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

Speaks bluntly to the leaders, then vividly describes Cleopatra's splendor and Antony's devotion.

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

Remains after the main party to converse with Menas, revealing skepticism about Antony's marriage and the stability of the alliance.

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

Participates in the feast and dance; remains behind with Menas after the others leave.

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

Exchanges witty remarks with Agrippa, commenting on Lepidus's love for Caesar and Antony, and recalls Antony's past tears.

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

Discusses the news of Lepidus's fall and Antony's mood with Eros.

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

Argues against Cleopatra's involvement and advises against a naval battle, warning of the risks.

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

Accompanies Antony and receives his commands.

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

Witnesses the flight and expresses despair, but chooses to follow Antony despite his reason opposing it.

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

Increasingly disillusioned with Antony's judgment, he privately resolves to leave his master, seeing his loyalty as folly.

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

Enobarbus explains Antony's behavior as 'odd tricks which sorrow shoots out of the mind' and later chides Antony for making everyone weep.

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

Enobarbus has deserted Antony and joined Caesar's camp, as reported by the soldier.

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

Consumed by guilt over his betrayal, he learns of Alexas's fate and Antony's generosity, and resolves to die.

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

Repentant for deserting Antony, he prays for death and dies alone in Caesar's camp.

## Links

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