Act 2 Scene 3

Scene Outline
Antony promises Octavia that although his duties will often force him to be away from her, he will avoid the sexual indiscretions of his past. Octavia and Caesar depart, and Antony is joined by the Egyptian soothsayer, who predicts Antony’s return to Egypt. Antony asks whether he or Caesar has the brighter future, and the Soothsayer answers that Caesar’s fortune will rise higher. As long as Antony remains in Rome, the Soothsayer predicts, he will be overshadowed by Caesar. He advises Antony to leave plenty of space between himself and Caesar. Antony dismisses the fortune-teller but agrees with his assessment, and he resigns himself to returning to the East, where his “pleasure lies” (II.iii.38). Antony summons Ventidius, a soldier and friend, and commissions him to go east to make war against the kingdom of Parthia.

Symbolism
The brief structure of the scene demonstrates Antony's inability to show good leadership as he is easily persuaded by other people's beliefs. Shakespeare depicts Antony's clouded judgment through the swift nature of the play, demonstrated in this scene, as Antony begins by declaring his loyalty to Octavia and the Roman Empire, although by the end of the scene he decides to return to Cleopatra in Egypt.