Now that the peace treaty is over, the members of the Triumvirate are saying goodbye to one another and are to go in different directions. Agrippa (Octavius’ man) and Enobarbus (Antony’s man) begin the scene by telling jokes about Lepidus. They refer to Lepidus as suffering from “greensickness” (6). This term actually has two entirely different meanings. First, it suggests the pale skin color that Lepidus would have as wakes up with a painful hangover (since he had become far too drunk the previous night). But, second, the term also was used to suggest love-sick teenage girls. Agrippa and Enobarbus are making fun of the way Lepidus appears to idolize (or hero worship) and adore both Octavius and Antony. Lepidus himself realizes his own weakness and inequality compared to Octavius and Antony. Both meanings indicate that Lepidus is a weak man. Thus, the jokes here foreshadow Lepidus’ fall. He will not be able to stand up for long with the two leaders who are far superior to him.
This same scene also includes a tearful farewell as Octavius bids goodbye to his sister. The scene is important in that it reveals how much Octavius esteems and loves his sister. Thus, when Antony abandons her later, the reader or audience will understand just how deeply this insult affects and troubles the loving brother, Octavius.
Another comic scene involving Cleopatra and the messenger occurs in Act III. But this one is quite different from the one appearing in Act II. Thus, adding to the humor is the unexpected surprise for the audience: Cleopatra acts in quite the opposite way. In the earlier scene, she was angry about the message and physically displayed that anger upon the unfortunate messenger. But in this later scene, she is pleased by the news and acts kindly toward the messenger. Yet, at the beginning of the scene, the messenger acts timid and fearful. He has not forgotten about the way Cleopatra reacts to negative messages.
The humor of this scene involves exaggeration or hyperbole. It contains verbal humor rather than physical humor or slapstick. When the messenger tells Cleopatra that Octavia is not tall, Cleopatra immediately then describes her as “dwarfish” (16). The humor is also produced by the messenger becoming aware of how to please the Queen. He realizes that Cleopatra wants to hear negative comments about Octavia, and he decides to exaggerate the negative as well. For example, Cleopatra asks the messenger about the way Octavia walks (“gait” in line 17). The messenger first describes Octavia as someone who “creeps,” but then he exaggerates even more and informs Cleopatra that Octavia is as lively as a statue (lines 18-21). Cleopatra is exceedingly happy with the messenger’s report and rewards him with gold (line 33). Cleopatra is obviously pleased by the messenger’s negative comments about Octavia. However, she may also be happy because she knows that Antony will soon return to her.