. Thus, Antony and Octavius as friends and leaders represent the authority of basically the entire civilized world. Their union symbolizes a “hoop” to support them “staunch from edge to edge/A’ th’ world,” (II.ii. 115-16).
This is why it is so enticing to Pompey to think of the murder of Antony and Octavius, an act that would allow him to become “lord of all the world,” and in possession of “What e’er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,” (II.vii. 61, 74). All of the main characters in the play seem to be aware that the world is undergoing a transformation crisis, so-to-speak, and Antony’s wi
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