Dollabella Character Analysis

Like Ventidius, Dollabella is another of Antony’s close friends. Although he loves Antony and is very loyal to him as well, their friendship is tested by Dollabella’s continuing passion for Cleopatra. When it seems as if Antony is going to leave the Egyptian court, Dollabella begins to contemplate trying to win Cleopatra from Antony. Cleopatra, for her part, thinks of flirting with Dollabella as a way to make Antony jealous and recapture his love. Seeing Dollabella and Cleopatra together, Octavia and Ventidius bring the news to Antony that the two are romantically involved, inciting Antony’s rage. In fact, however, Cleopatra couldn’t go through with the false romance, while Dollabella says that he admires Cleopatra’s constancy to Antony and loves her “no more than friendship will allow.” Antony, however, is unforgiving and orders Dollabella out of his sight. In this way, Dollabella ultimately prioritizes his friendship with Antony above romantic love. This provides a point of contrast with Antony, who chooses Cleopatra over all his friendships.