Obvious paradox/oxymoron, as fire and water are usually seen as opposites.

Such language is used often in his description, suggesting that Cleopatra has control over the forces of nature, like a Roman god.

This next section involves Enobarbus giving a heavy description of the first time Antony and Cleopatra saw each over: Cleopatra was floating through a canal on a grand barge while Antony watches from the streets. It demonstrates amazing descriptive techniques, but also confirms the view that despite Antony being set up with Octavia he will always come back to Cleopatra.

#Interesting predicament

• Cleopatra’s aim here is to guilt trip him into feeling sorry for her and staying. Again, Shakespeare writes her as a manipulative woman. The manner in which she delivers this contradicts the way Fulvia is supposed to be a chaste and honorouble wife while Antony is away.

• However, she is oblivious to the fact that Fulvia is dead. Therefore, she is also unintentionally lying; Cleopatra now has him. Had she known this she probably wouldn’t have said this.

This single line embodies a central fact about Cleopatra – she’s both powerful and fragile. Manipulative and naive. Seductive and childish.

Charmian points out that if Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship was proper, then she wouldn’t have to do all this behind-the-scenes work to get his attention.

Cleopatra doesn’t take kindly to this kind of commentary.

This line highlights the importance of setting:

Cleopatra characterizes Egypt, her country, as a place of “mirth” and happiness, as opposed to Rome which is too serious. When Antony is in Egypt, he is in her control, so she doesn’t want to lose him.

Philo and Demetrius start talking again, just to remind the audience, in case they were distracted by the two love-birds who were on a second ago, that this play is going to be a downer.