Antony to Cleopatra by Alfred Tennyson (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

Antony to Cleopatra 

by Alfred Tennyson

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

Antony to Cleopatra

O Cleopatra! fare thee well,

We two can meet no more;

This breaking heart alone can tell

The love to thee I bore.

But wear thou not the conqueror's chain

Upon thy race and thee;

And tho' we ne'er can meet again

Yet still be true to me:

For I for thee have lost a throne

To wear the crown of love alone.

 

Fair daughter of a regal line!

To thraldom bow not tame;

My every wish on earth was thine,

My every hope the same.

And I have moved within thy sphere,

And lived within thy light;

And oh! thou wert to me so dear

I breathed but in thy sight!

A subject world I lost for thee,

For thou wert all my world to me!

 

Then, when the shriekings of the dying

Were heard along the wave,

Soul of my soul! I saw thee flying,

I follow'd thee to save.

The thunder of the brazen prows

O'er Actium's ocean rung,

Fame's garland faded from my brows,

Her wreath away I flung.

I sought, I saw, I heard but thee;

For what to love was victory?

 

Summary

Stanza 1: The poem begins with Antony bidding farewell to Cleopatra, stating that they can never meet again. He expresses the deep pain of their separation, emphasizing the profound love he feels for her, which only his "breaking heart" can fully understand. Antony urges Cleopatra not to submit to the humiliation of being chained by her conquerors, preserving her dignity and that of her royal lineage. Despite their parting, he implores her to remain true to him. He reflects on the sacrifice he made for her, having given up his throne to pursue a love that he values above all else, describing it as wearing "the crown of love alone."

 

Stanza 2: Antony addresses Cleopatra as a noble figure, a "fair daughter of a regal line," and encourages her not to yield to servitude or oppression. He recounts how his desires and hopes were entirely aligned with hers, and how her presence dominated his existence. Cleopatra was his guiding light, and he lived solely for her, finding her so dear that she was his entire world. He acknowledges that he sacrificed his power and influence over a "subject world" because Cleopatra alone was his true world.

 

Stanza 3: The final stanza vividly describes the chaotic scene of the Battle of Actium, where Antony hears the cries of the dying amidst the waves. He sees Cleopatra fleeing the battle and follows her in an attempt to save her, driven by his devotion. The "brazen prows" of ships clash, and the battle’s tumult echoes. Antony casts aside fame and glory, symbolized by discarding "Fame’s garland," as they mean nothing compared to his love for Cleopatra. His sole focus is on her—seeing, hearing, and seeking only her—rendering victory meaningless without her love.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Stanza 1

O Cleopatra! fare thee well,

-> Oh Cleopatra, goodbye to you,

 

We two can meet no more;

-> We two will never be able to see each other again;

 

This breaking heart alone can tell

-> Only this heart that is shattering in pain can express

 

The love to thee I bore.

-> The deep affection I carried for you.

 

But wear thou not the conqueror's chain

-> But do not allow yourself to wear the chains imposed by the victor,

 

Upon thy race and thee;

-> On your people and yourself;

 

And tho' we ne'er can meet again

-> And although we will never be able to meet again,

 

Yet still be true to me:

-> Still remain faithful to me:

 

For I for thee have lost a throne

-> Because for your sake I have forfeited my royal position,

 

To wear the crown of love alone.

-> In order to bear only the crown that symbolizes our love.

 

Stanza 2

Fair daughter of a regal line!

-> Beautiful child of a royal dynasty!

 

To thraldom bow not tame;

-> Do not submit meekly to enslavement;

 

My every wish on earth was thine,

-> Every desire I had in this world belonged to you,

 

My every hope the same.

-> And every hope of mine was identical to yours.

 

And I have moved within thy sphere,

-> And I have existed within your personal realm,

 

And lived within thy light;

-> And lived in the radiance that you provided;

 

And oh! thou wert to me so dear

-> And oh! you were so precious to me

 

I breathed but in thy sight!

-> That I only felt alive when I could see you!

 

A subject world I lost for thee,

-> I gave up a world that was under my control for you,

 

For thou wert all my world to me!

-> Because you were my entire world to me!

 

Stanza 3

Then, when the shriekings of the dying

-> Then, when the screams of those who were perishing

 

Were heard along the wave,

-> Echoed across the sea,

 

Soul of my soul! I saw thee flying,

-> Soul of my very soul! I saw you fleeing,

 

I follow'd thee to save.

-> I pursued you in order to rescue you.

 

The thunder of the brazen prows

-> The crashing noise from the bronze ship prows

 

O'er Actium's ocean rung,

-> Resounded over the waters of Actium,

 

Fame's garland faded from my brows,

-> The wreath of fame wilted away from my forehead,

 

Her wreath away I flung.

-> I cast her wreath aside.

 

I sought, I saw, I heard but thee;

-> I searched for, saw, and heard nothing but you;

 

For what to love was victory?

-> Because what did victory mean compared to love

 

Analysis

Alfred Tennyson’s poem "Antony to Cleopatra," published in Poems by Two Brothers in 1827, is a poignant and emotionally charged exploration of love, sacrifice, and defeat, framed through the perspective of the Roman general Mark Antony addressing his beloved Cleopatra. Written when Tennyson was a teenager, the poem reflects the romantic idealism and dramatic intensity characteristic of his early work, while also engaging with the historical and literary legacy of the legendary lovers. Through its three stanzas, the poem delves into themes of romantic devotion, the tension between personal love and public duty, and the tragic consequences of prioritizing passion over power. This analysis examines the poem’s thematic depth, structural elements, tone, imagery, and historical context to illuminate Tennyson’s portrayal of Antony’s emotional turmoil and the enduring allure of his bond with Cleopatra.

 

Thematic Depth: Love as Sacrifice and Supremacy

At its core, "Antony to Cleopatra" is a meditation on the supremacy of love over worldly power and ambition. Tennyson presents Antony as a figure who willingly sacrifices his political authority and military glory for his devotion to Cleopatra. In the first stanza, Antony declares, “For I for thee have lost a throne / To wear the crown of love alone.” This encapsulates the poem’s central theme: the deliberate choice to forsake a tangible crown of political dominion for the metaphorical crown of romantic devotion. The use of “throne” and “crown” juxtaposes the concrete symbols of power with the abstract, yet equally potent, realm of love. Antony’s sacrifice is not portrayed as a moment of weakness but as a conscious elevation of personal loyalty over societal expectations, a recurring motif in Romantic literature that

 

Tennyson embraces even in his youth.

The poem also explores the theme of fidelity in the face of inevitable separation. Antony’s plea, “Yet still be true to me,” despite their inability to meet again, underscores a desire for an enduring emotional connection that transcends physical distance and political defeat. This plea is particularly poignant given the historical context of their story, where Cleopatra’s actions at the Battle of Actium are often interpreted as a betrayal. Tennyson’s Antony, however, does not accuse or lament betrayal; instead, he focuses on his unwavering commitment, suggesting an idealized view of their relationship that prioritizes love’s purity over historical ambiguity.

Additionally, the poem touches on the theme of resistance to subjugation. Antony urges Cleopatra not to “wear the conqueror’s chain / Upon thy race and thee” or “to thraldom bow not tame.” These lines reflect both a personal and political concern, as Antony encourages Cleopatra to preserve her dignity and the pride of her Egyptian heritage against Roman domination. This call to resilience aligns with the Romantic ideal of individual and cultural integrity, even in the face of overwhelming external forces.

 

Structure and Tone: A Lament of Passion and Defeat

The poem’s structure, composed of three ten-line stanzas with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABBACCDDEE), provides a formal framework that contrasts with the emotional turbulence of Antony’s voice. Each stanza serves a distinct narrative purpose: the first establishes the farewell and Antony’s sacrifice, the second emphasizes Cleopatra’s centrality to his existence, and the third vividly recounts the chaotic moment of Actium and Antony’s pursuit of Cleopatra. This progression moves from introspective reflection to passionate declaration and finally to dramatic action, creating a narrative arc that mirrors Antony’s emotional journey from resignation to fervent devotion.

The tone of the poem is deeply elegiac and impassioned, blending sorrow with an almost defiant celebration of love. Antony’s farewell is steeped in melancholy—“This breaking heart alone can tell / The love to thee I bore”—yet his language is imbued with a sense of nobility and resolve. The repeated exclamations, such as “Soul of my soul!” and “Fair daughter of a regal line!” convey an intensity that elevates the poem beyond mere lamentation to a testament of unyielding passion. Tennyson’s use of direct address, with Antony speaking to Cleopatra throughout, creates an intimate and confessional tone, drawing the reader into the immediacy of his emotional experience.

 

Imagery and Symbolism: Love Amidst Chaos

Tennyson employs vivid imagery to underscore the emotional and historical stakes of Antony’s narrative. In the first stanza, the “conqueror’s chain” symbolizes the humiliation of defeat and enslavement that Cleopatra must resist. This image evokes the historical reality of Rome’s triumph over Egypt, while also serving as a metaphor for the loss of autonomy that Antony fears for his beloved. The “crown of love” contrasts sharply with this chain, representing a voluntary and triumphant choice to prioritize emotional fulfillment over political power.

In the second stanza, Tennyson uses celestial imagery to elevate Cleopatra’s significance: “And I have moved within thy sphere, / And lived within thy light.” The metaphor of Cleopatra as a celestial body, with Antony orbiting her like a planet, conveys her dominance in his life and the almost divine reverence he holds for her. This imagery aligns with Romantic tendencies to idealize the beloved as a source of inspiration and meaning, transforming Cleopatra into a near-mythic figure.

The third stanza is rich with sensory imagery that captures the chaos of the Battle of Actium. The “shriekings of the dying” and “thunder of the brazen prows” create an auditory landscape of violence and turmoil, immersing the reader in the intensity of the moment. The image of “Fame’s garland” fading from Antony’s brows and being “flung” away symbolizes his rejection of worldly glory for the sake of love. These vivid images not only ground the poem in its historical setting but also amplify the emotional weight of Antony’s choice to prioritize Cleopatra over victory.

 

Historical and Literary Context

Written in 1827, "Antony to Cleopatra" reflects the influence of Tennyson’s early engagement with classical history and literature, particularly the story of Antony and Cleopatra as popularized by Shakespeare’s play Antony and Cleopatra and Plutarch’s Lives. Unlike Shakespeare’s complex portrayal of the lovers’ political and personal struggles, Tennyson’s poem focuses narrowly on Antony’s emotional perspective, distilling the historical narrative into a romantic lament. This focus aligns with the Romantic movement’s emphasis on individual emotion and the sublime power of love, which Tennyson, even as a young poet, channels effectively.

The poem’s historical context—the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, where Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra’s forces—serves as a backdrop that Tennyson uses sparingly but effectively. Rather than delving into the political intricacies of the event, he concentrates on the personal cost to Antony, particularly his decision to follow Cleopatra as she flees the battle. This moment, historically debated as a strategic error or act of loyalty, is romanticized by Tennyson as an ultimate expression of love’s supremacy: “For what to love was victory?”

 

Tennyson’s Early Style and Romantic Sensibility

As a product of Tennyson’s youth, "Antony to Cleopatra" showcases his early command of lyrical expression and emotional intensity, qualities that would later define his more mature works like In Memoriam and Idylls of the King. The poem’s formal structure and elevated diction reflect the influence of classical and Romantic poetic traditions, while its focus on personal sacrifice and idealized love anticipates Tennyson’s lifelong preoccupation with themes of loss and devotion. The poem also reveals a youthful exuberance in its unrestrained passion, which contrasts with the more measured tone of his later poetry.

 

Conclusion

"Antony to Cleopatra" is a compact yet powerful exploration of love’s ability to eclipse worldly ambition and endure beyond physical separation. Through Antony’s voice, Tennyson crafts a narrative that celebrates romantic devotion as a form of triumph, even in the face of defeat. The poem’s rich imagery, structured progression, and elegiac tone create a vivid portrait of a man who finds meaning not in power or fame but in his unwavering love for Cleopatra. By situating this personal drama within the historical context of Actium, Tennyson bridges the personal and the epic, offering a Romantic reinterpretation of a classical tragedy. This early work, though less polished than his later masterpieces, demonstrates Tennyson’s precocious ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and the timeless allure of a legendary love story.