In Act one Scene two were learn that Antony is aware that Cleopatra is his downfall. This is what makes him the tragic hero: he is fully aware of his flaw but unable to stop it. His love for Cleopatra is leading him astray. Antony has two realisations in the scene, in his first he knows his love for Cleopatra shall be his undoing. His self awareness is obvious when he says “These strong Egyptian fetters,I must break,/Or lose myself in dotage.” Later in the scene Shakespeare uses a soliloquy to put across how Antony is feeling; “I must from this enchanting queen break off./ Ten thousand harms,more than the ills I know,/my idleness doth hatch.” This reinforces the control and power Cleopatra has in the relationship as the use of the word “enchanting” shows how he is mesmerised by her.
In Scene three, however, the balance of power changes as Antony is provoked into a reaction. Cleopatra’s melodramatic nature, shown through her use of hyperbolical language, makes him respond and take control for the first time so far in the play; “Hear me, Queen”. This short sharp reaction by Antony shows she has pushed him to his limit. At the end of Act one the power is back with Antony though he is still greatly affected by Cleopatra and his love for her.
Since Act one Scene one the lover’s circumstances have changed. Antony has been involved in a political marriage to Octavia, Caesar’s sister. Cleopatra is devastated when she hears this news but despite hostility she wishes to be present when Antony goes to battle at sea in Act three Scene seven. Cleopatra’s power over Antony, in this scene, causes him to make a poor military decision as she encourages him to fight by sea, even though he has a stronger land army. As Cleopatra is encouraging him and leading him in the wrong direction he is acting in a very immature manner and is refusing to listen to wise advice from Enobarbus and his soldiers. Enobarbus who is seen as the voice of truth to Antony his much adored leader says; “Your presence needs must puzzle Antony,/take from his heart, take from his brain, froms/ time” This shows that other characters can see how Antony’s love for Cleopatra is clouding his judgement. But Antony is stubborn and keeps stating that he will fight “ By sea, by sea”. Clearly, he cannot see it is the wrong decision. Previously Antony was a masterful military leader so it demonstrates the height he has fallen from as he is letting Cleopatra lead him into battle blind. One of the themes in the play is that of power and glory. Antony who was an extremely powerful man has lost his ability to think clearly and is loosing his respect, allowing ever more power to slide towards Cleopatra, ultimately bringing about his ruin.
After listening to Cleopatra’s poor advice he then flees the battle to follow her, his heart. Once Antony has recovered from the embarrassment of fleeing battle he regains the upper hand in a violent scene with a messenger from Caesar who has kissed Cleopatra’s hand. This scene parallels a similar scene between Cleopatra and a messenger when she found out about Antony’s marriage to Octavia. Throughout the argument there are recurrent references to food, love and the supernatural. The hyperbolic language is an open expression of their excessive love and passion for each other. Antony shouts and makes a lot of noise throughout the argument as he is trying to regain his once respected position. He is totally aware of the fact he is loosing power to Cleopatra this is why he is acting in such an arrogant manner toward the messenger and his lover.
In Act three scenes eight, nine and ten the battle of Actium is about to begin and there is fierce fighting and violence in the next three scenes but the audience would not see this as it is set offshore. In Act four Scene twelve Antony is infuriated as the Egyptian fleet has surrendered and he feels Cleopatra has betrayed him. He takes a very Roman view of Cleopatra and refers to her as a “witch”. Antony foresees his own demise and this is delivered to us through imagery in his speech; “O’sun, thy uprise shall I see no more.” This is suggesting Antony’s thoughts about his suicide. The two lovers have a bitter quarrel in which Antony uses very graphic imagery for example; ”Octavia plough they visage up/ With her prepared nails!” Cleopatra flees in terror and goes to her monument. The uses of hyperbolical and simple language throughout this scene show the contrast between the two main characters in their struggle for power. At the end of this scene Antony has the upper hand as Cleopatra has left, but she soon regains power over him.
Act four Scene fourteen shows Antony at a remarkably low point. Mardian, a messenger from Cleopatra brings news of her death and Antony decides it must be the end for him too. But Cleopatra is not actually dead. Even in Antony’s low times his soldiers would rather die than kill him as we find out when Eros kills himself. Even as Antony falls on his sword he is making reference to love and sex: “A bridegroom in my death and run into’t / As to a lover’s bed”. Cleopatra’s power over him it at its most evident when he kills himself because of her death. Whilst he is bleeding to death he finds out that she is not dead and has a very unusual reaction. It shows his great love for her yet again, even thought she had lead him to make the most flawed decision possible, killing himself.
Even in Act four Scene fifteen, Antony’s death scene, we are aware of Cleopatra’s power over Antony. She takes control and wants to speak even though Antony is dying, interrupting his dying words; “No, let me speak” Cleopatra says this so she can have the final word, though this is not intended as she does love him. As Antony is dying he speaks about himself in the third person, giving himself a regal address to prove he has achieved honour even if it is in death. “Not Caesars valour hath oer’thrown Antony,/But Antony’s hath triumph’d on itself.” Cleopatra changes her tone considerably after Antony’s death. She becomes very subdued and dignified which leads to a restrained end to a tempestuous scene.
Cleopatra ends the play in Act five with all the power, as Antony is dead and she still has the final scene to herself which is very unusual as a female character is never given the final scene. She has achieved power over Antony in his life and his death proving she is a domineering and ingenious woman, much to the Romans disapproval.
In conclusion, Shakespeare’s handling of the balance of power is wonderfully documented through the plot of the play and through his use of language. The lifestyle enjoyed by Antony and Cleopatra is shown through the hyperbolical poetry.
