The Role of Enobarbus in Shakespeare’s "Antony and Cleopatra"

Introduction

In William Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra," the character Enobarbus plays a multifaceted and crucial role. As a trusted follower and close friend of Antony, he serves as a confidant to the protagonist, offering a unique perspective on the unfolding events. Enobarbus also assumes the role of a narrator within the play, guiding the audience through key moments and providing insight into character motivations. Moreover, he introduces humor into the narrative, offering a respite from the weighty themes of politics, love, and war. Additionally, Enobarbus serves as a vehicle for Shakespeare to employ foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the fates of the central characters, Antony and Cleopatra. Lastly, his character embodies and challenges Roman views on friendship and women, adding depth to the exploration of these themes in the play. The aim of this essay on "Antony and Cleopatra" is to make a detailed analysis of the aforementioned roles of Enobarbus in the play.

Enobarbus and His Role in "Antony and Cleopatra"

A Narrator and a Character

In the play 'Antony and Cleopatra,' Enobarbus holds a significant position as a trusted confidant and close companion to Antony. He enjoys the privilege of openly discussing personal matters with Antony. While Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, wields more influence over Antony, Enobarbus plays a crucial role in the narrative. He serves as a conduit for the audience's perspective and contributes to the build-up of tension through subtle foreshadowing in his dialogues.

Enobarbus assumes a dual role in the play: that of a narrator and a character, which Shakespeare skillfully and effectively handles. He provides a voice of reason, elucidating the events transpiring in various scenes. For instance, in Act 4, Scene 2, Cleopatra confides in Enobarbus, questioning Antony's actions. Enobarbus explains that Antony is attempting to "make his followers weak." It's important to note that Enobarbus isn't merely informing Cleopatra; he is actually divulging Antony's true intentions to the audience. His choice of words, such as "followers" to describe Antony's distraught attendants, underscores his role as more than just a follower. Being both a friend and a follower of Antony allows Enobarbus to express his opinions impartially, offering the audience a clear insight into each character's personality. Shakespeare also employs Enobarbus for dramatic irony, further enhancing the play's effectiveness.

A Source of Humor

In addition to the soothsayer in 'Antony and Cleopatra,' Enobarbus occasionally injects humor into the play, providing a respite from the politics, love, and warfare that dominate the narrative. Shakespeare employs satire when Enobarbus mocks Lepidus for his inebriation in Act 2, Scene 7, ironically referring to him as a "strong fellow." In Act 3, Scene 2, he, along with Agrippa, playfully ridicules Lepidus, humorously remarking on his affections for Caesar and Mark Antony. Both Shakespearean and modern audiences find this scene amusing. Historically, some critics disapproved of Shakespeare's tendency to assign such comedic traits to secondary characters. In 1710, Charles Gildon criticized this blend of humor and tragedy, asserting that "Grief and Laughter are so very incompatible that to join these two wou’d be monstrous." Similarly, in 1709, Nicholas Rowe noted that while many audiences enjoyed this approach, stricter critics did not. Despite these criticisms, Enobarbus emerges as a vital character in the play. His humor and relatability endear him to the audience, positioning him as a minor tragic character whose downfall heightens the effectiveness of the tragic narrative in 'Antony and Cleopatra.'

A Vehicle to Employ Foreshadowing

Shakespeare masterfully employs Enobarbus to foreshadow forthcoming events, particularly the destiny of the central characters, Antony and Cleopatra. This renders Enobarbus an indispensable character, as he discreetly offers hints to the audience about what lies ahead. Enobarbus astutely perceives the fragile nature of the bond between Antony and Octavia, a bond that also holds the friendly relationship between Antony and Caesar in place. He foresees that "the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity," given Antony's inevitable return to Cleopatra. The derogatory reference to Cleopatra as an "Egyptian dish" implies her transient nature, perhaps alluding to her past lovers, none of whom endured. In Act 3, Scene 7, prior to Antony's battle with Caesar, Enobarbus informs Cleopatra that her presence in the camp will distract Antony, likening it to "a soldier and his horse" – a metaphor foreshadowing Cleopatra's role in undermining Antony's victory. Furthermore, Enobarbus hints at the impending Battle of Actium, which unfolds after Caesar declares war on Cleopatra, stating that Antony and Caesar will "grind the one the other."

As the Embodiment of the Roman Traditional Views

Roman perspectives on friendship vary, with Aristotle recognizing different bases for friendship: pleasure, utility, or virtue. Others assert that friendships endure only as long as they offer something in return and dissolve when they cease to be useful or enjoyable. Enobarbus emerges as an essential character in exemplifying genuine friendship, even as his ultimate betrayal of Mark Antony in Act 4, Scene 6 sets the stage for his tragic downfall. His death in Act 4, Scene 9, from guilt and heartbreak, remains unexplained by Shakespeare. However, it can be inferred that he took his life due to the remorse of abandoning his friend. Enobarbus' final words, "O Antony! O Antony!" underscore the poignancy of his death and allude to Antony being on his mind until the end. The repetition of Antony's name accentuates Enobarbus' desperate yearning for forgiveness. This tragic demise of a likable character would have had a profound impact on the audience and marks the commencement of Antony's downfall – Shakespeare uses Enobarbus even in death to foreshadow future events.

Enobarbus also plays a pivotal role in conveying certain Roman perspectives on women. Shakespeare uses the character of Enobarbus to communicate these ideals, particularly in Act 1, Scene 2. When Antony shares the news of his wife Fulvia's death with Enobarbus, his loyal soldier suggests that this is a fortunate turn of events, stating that "when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new." Enobarbus proceeds to metaphorically compare Fulvia to an "old smock" and Cleopatra to a "new petticoat," insinuating that women are disposable objects to be discarded at will. Such an attitude might have been accepted by a Shakespearean audience, given the historical context of early marriages and the prevailing belief in women as property of their husbands. However, modern audiences would likely view this attitude as reprehensible, given contemporary values that emphasize gender equality.

Furthermore, in Act 2, Scene 2, Shakespeare nearly directly quotes from Plutarch through Enobarbus' character to describe Antony and Cleopatra's first encounter with Cleopatra as she arrived on her splendid barge, which resembled a "burnished throne." Enobarbus vividly narrates how "pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids," fanned Cleopatra and how the Queen enchanted even the winds. These contrasting descriptions of Cleopatra underscore Enobarbus' role in illustrating Roman notions about women, highlighting how Cleopatra, during her journey up the river Cydnus, transcended her humanity and assumed a divine, goddess-like presence.

Conclusion

In "Antony and Cleopatra," Enobarbus assumes a multi-dimensional and indispensable role within the narrative. As a narrator, he guides the audience through the plot and characters, providing crucial insights. His humor offers moments of respite from the weighty themes of the play, endearing him to the audience. Enobarbus's ability to foreshadow future events builds tension and anticipation, enhancing the dramatic impact of the unfolding tragedies. Additionally, his character embodies and challenges Roman views on friendship and women, contributing to a deeper exploration of these themes. Overall, Enobarbus's presence in the play enriches the narrative, adding depth and complexity to the characters and their interactions.

References

1. Shakespeare, W. (1623). Antony and Cleopatra. First Folio. [Link to the text or edition you are using.]
2. Kirk, R. S. (2019). Narration in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra: The Missing Mute. Routledge.
3. Plutarch. (n.d.). Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans. [Link to the specific passage or translation you are referencing.]
4. Dusinberre, J. (2009). Shakespeare and the Nature of Women. Macmillan International Higher Education.
5. Greenblatt, S. (2006). Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. W. W. Norton & Company.
6. Smith, D. W. (2000). Character and Idea in Shakespeare. University of Missouri Press.
7. Sanders, J. (1987). Enobarbus: A Man of False Judgement. In Shakespeare Survey (Vol. 40, pp. 37-48). Cambridge University Press.