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Cleopatra, Chapter 11 summary

Chapter 11 of 34 · Book 2: The Fall of Harmachis · 10 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 11, Harmachis gains a palace office and completes preparations for an uprising that depends on killing Cleopatra and opening a guarded gate. At a feast, Cleopatra has him crowned with roses in mockery, while his dread of bloodshed and ignorance of Charmion’s love complicate his political purpose.

What happens

  1. Harmachis becomes Cleopatra’s chief astrologer and uses her requests for guidance to advance his own ambitions.
  2. Cleopatra orders Serapion’s death to deny responsibility for his support of Cassius, while the Egyptian conspiracy gains recruits.
  3. Charmion serves Harmachis devotedly, but he mistakes her love for loyalty to their shared cause.
  4. Sepa’s captains prepare five hundred attackers, and Harmachis bribes Captain Paulus to open an eastern gate at the signal.
  5. During a feast, Harmachis dreads the planned killings, and Cleopatra orders Charmion to crown him with roses as a joke.
  6. Humiliated, Harmachis withdraws to his watchtower to await lists and messages, and Charmion enters.

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In this chapter

HarmachisCleopatraCharmionSepa

What to notice

Charmion reveals the personal motive behind her service. Harmachis interprets her words as devotion to Egypt rather than love for him.

Quick check

What does Captain Paulus agree to do for the conspiracy?

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