Octavia

Family: Roman · Role: Caesar's sister · First appears: Antony and Cleopatra · Act II, Scene I

Octavia is Roman and the sister of Octavius Caesar. At Messina, Agrippa proposed her marriage to Mark Antony to unite the brothers and their realms, and Mark Antony accepted: “take Antony Octavia to his wife”. Octavius Caesar promised that she would join their kingdoms and hearts, and she was later revealed as Mark Antony’s wife.

She had previously been the wife of Caius Marcellus, before becoming Mark Antony’s wife. Cleopatra sent Alexas to learn about Octavia’s appearance, age, disposition, and hair. When Mark Antony prepared for war against Octavius Caesar, Octavia undertook to reconcile them; after learning that Octavius Caesar was preparing for war, she asked Mark Antony’s pardon to return.

Octavia arrived before Octavius Caesar, who welcomed her back and promised Rome’s love and protection: “Welcome to Rome, Nothing more dear to me.” She and Cleopatra are enemies and rivals, with Cleopatra referring to Octavia as a rival whose modest eyes and reserved manner would acquire honour.