Aristottle defined a tragic hero as a man who's misfortune is not brought about by vice or depravity but by some error of frality.Do you agree that Antony is a hero in this context?

        ‘ Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
          Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space’

By saying this, Antony is openly stating that he is choosing love over his duty and that he does not care if the Roman Empire falls as a result of his absence, as long as he is with Cleopatra. Antony therefore dismisses the messenger and does not hear Caesar’s news. This incident leads to conflict between Antony and Caesar and when the two meet it is clear that their already unstable relations have been aggrivated. If Antony would have ignored Cleopatra’s snide comments and demanding behaviour, he would have received Caesar’s message and avoided internal problems in Rome’s triumvirs.
        In the process of re-establishing the ties between Caesar and himself, Antony married Caesar’s sister, Octavia in an attempt to bring the two leaders together. Both Antony and Caesar are comfortable and pleased with the arrangement and it seems to sooth their relations. All would have been secure between the two triumvirs is Antony had stayed loyal to his wife, however he gives into the temptation of Cleopatra and commits adultery against Octavia. When Caesar hears word of Antony’s behaviour he is furious and in a rage he proclaims to his sister,

        ‘                                 You are abused
          Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods,
          To do you justice’.

Outraged at Antony’s public adultery, Caesar promises his sister that he will seek revenge for her humiliation. Caesar is therefore encouraged to wage war on Antony instead of putting aside their differences and avoiding bitter conflict. Once again, Antony’s flaw leads him into further trouble and chaos.
        The full extent of the misfortune caused by Antony’s weakness is shown through his battle against Caesar. Cleopatra initially gives Antony ships and men to strengthen his force. However, during the battle Cleopatra and her ships flee the battle. To his soldiers’ horror, Antony walks out on the battle to follow Cleopatra. Witnessing this many of his men desert him and join the opposing side. A comibination of Antony’s rage and the understanding of the devastation that she has caused, Cleopatra commits suicide. With news of Cleopatra’s death, Antony declares,
         ‘ Disgrace and horror, that on my command
          Thou then would’st kill me. Do’t; the time is come’.

In reflecting on the disrespect he has gained through his vain attack on his own empire, Antony feels that the only way of getting back any of his respect and dignity would be to kill himself. If Antony had not let his flaw rule him and if he would have fought instead of run after Cleopatra, he would have most likely have been successful. However, he gave in to his weakness and in giving in to his weakness, he practically assigns his own death.
        Antony can therefore be defined as a ‘tragic hero’ his death is caused by his fatal flaw; his love for Cleopatra. If Antony had stayed true to his ‘ captain’s heart’ he would have avoided conflict with Caesar and would have been a successful general. Although the extent of his heroism is controversial, as in situations such as his reluctance to kill himself he is shown to be of weak nature, his role as a military hero is underminded and ultimately ended by consequences triggered off by his weakness of choosing love over duty.