“Whom everything becomes – to chide, to laugh,
To weep; whose every passion fully strives
To make itself, in thee, fair and admired.”
Antony’s obsession and infatuation with Cleopatra is made clear here. Antony is describing how enchanting and fascinating Cleopatra is. She is a woman who every emotion becomes. No matter what she does, she does it attractively. Attraction is the absolute essence. Antony follows his description of Cleopatra’s fascination with a request that she and Antony should “wander through the streets and note, the qualities of people.” The audience would view this as a very irresponsible and silly thing to do. It portrays Antony’s self-indulgence and his “unroman” qualities. Up until scene two, Antony has only been seen as very unpatriotic and irresponsible character. At this point, the audience feel that Antony has abandoned all previously held respect for Rome and his duties. However, scene 2 makes way for a more noble side of Antony’s character to be shown as he says: (aside) “These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, Or lose myself in dotage.” It is surprising to see that Antony is fully aware that his love for Cleopatra could destroy him and his career. He is aware of his obsession for the Egyptian queen and the dangers that that entails. Further evidence is shown of Antony’s realisation of the perils that his relation with Cleopatra involves:
“I must from this enchanting queen break off.
Then thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
My idleness doth hatch.”
Cleopatra’s fascinating attractiveness is emphasised here, yet more importantly, it can be seen that Antony is aware of the damage and the danger that his love could do and of the destructive negative side to love. The duality and depth of his character is emphasised here. Antony is a very profound and confusing character to follow. He regularly changes what he says and means and usually says the exact opposite. Antony is cleared an emotional person which makes Shakespeare’s ability to bring out the duality in his character even more effective. Later on in this scene, Antony makes reference to the people of Rome, describing them as “our slippery people, whose love is never linked to the deserver”. This shows that Antony has little respect for the ordinary people of Rome and sees them as worthless fools with no loyalty. He believes that they are idiots who are unable to comprehend what is asked of them. This highlights Antony’s contempt for the Roman citizens. Overall, it can clearly be seen that there is a duality in Antony’s character. At first introduction of Antony’s character, his disregard for his Roman responsibilities was prominent. However, it is only further into Act One that his split character’s allegiance is shown.
Antony’s responses throughout Act One show the audience that there is a duality in his character, but a very one sided duality that is heavily focused on his Egyptian, hedonistic lover side. However, Octavius Caesar’s comments and remarks on Antony display him as a more faithful soldier of Rome. Octavius offers strong words of Antony’s past, reminiscing when Antony “thous didst drink the stale of horses”. Octavius is referring to Antony’s past greatness. The act screams the epitome of a great soldier, performing what must be done for self-preservation. It was a show of phenomenal stoicism. This point is further emphases by Octavius when he states how:
“It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
Which some did die to look on.”
This information reinforces the idea of Antony’s past greatness and the lengths he would go to during the times of hardship. It shows that Antony was a great Roman figure and the memories of his acts have never been forgotten. Octavius describes how Antony “was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek/ So much as lanked not.” This supports Octavius’ argument of Antony’s past greatness as he describes how Antony didn’t even go pale as he endured these horrors. It highlights his bravery and strong natured acts. Octavius recognises Antony’s past prominence and he wants him to recover it. It can clearly be seen that Octavius holds Antony in high regard, heedlessly of the words of his actions in Egypt. He believes that Antony can regain his lost honour and return to his old Roman ways. Octavius’ comments clearly show Antony’s division of character, however, they show that even he believes all is not lost.
First mention of Antony’s duality in character is through Cleopatra in Act 1 Scene 2. She describes how:
“He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
A Roman thought hath struck him.”
This is clear evidence of a divide in Antony. He has an Egyptian and Roman side. His Roman side is about duty, power, patriotism and being a soldier whereas his Egyptian side is about love and indulgence. Questions are raised as to what way he will go. This injects tension into the play. In the beginning of scene three, Cleopatra makes the request:
“ If you find him sad,
Sad that I am dancing; if in mirth, report
That I am sudden sick.”
This request displays Cleopatra’s dramatic, attention seeking and indulgent side. She can be very histrionic which becomes more evident throughout the scene. Cleopatra’s words also portray her as a very manipulative person, able to bend people to her will. Cleopatra’s unexpected actions are what fascinates Antony and keeps him drawn to her. This could partly be the reason why Antony’s Egyptian side has such a strong hold over him. Furthermore, Cleopatra’s dramatic words accuse Antony of being unfaithful: “O, never was there queen/ So mightily betrayed!” This again shows Cleopatra as being manipulative, jealous and quarrelsome – a difficult aspect of her character. Her statement is very self-pitying and manipulative, she is accusing Antony and there is nothing he could say to please her. He cannot control or deal with her – possible part of what makes her so fascinating and intriguing. Therefore it can once again be seen that Shakespeare’s creation of Cleopatra as a manipulation and captivating character plays some part in Antony’s duality of character. Her hold over her lover is too strong and is making Antony a more Egyptian, hedonistic lover than a true Roman of his past.
The audience are first introduced to Antony through the comments of Philo at the very beginning of the play, and the audience are informed of the duality of character in Antony. Philo begins by describing how he feels that Antony’s love for Cleopatra is out of control and damaging him and his reputation: “Nay, but this dotage of our general’s/ O’erflows the measure.” Philo continues with:
“ His captain’s heart,
Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,
And is become the bellows and the fan
To cool a gypsy’s lust.”
This refers to Antony’s past greatness as a soldier – a true Roman hero. Philo feels like Antony’s love for Cleopatra has overpowered him and destroyed what he once was. Philo then describes Antony as one of “the triple pillar of the world transformed/ Into a strumpet’s fool.” This shows the Roman contempt for Cleopatra, which is conveyed throughout the play. None of the Romans have a good thing to say about her and disregard her. The hugely eminent and powerful, magnificent Antony has been utterly diminished by his infatuation and obsession with Cleopatra. Philo once again makes reference to Antony’s past greatness:
“Sometimes, when he is not Antony,
He comes too short of that great property
Which still should go with Antony.”
It reminds the audience how great Antony was as a great roman, a great leader, strong politician and statesman. Through the conversation of Philo and Demetrius, it can therefore be seen that Antony is indeed caught in a tug-of-war between his Roman and Egyptian loyalty ties. He is supposedly loyal to Rome, yet he is loyal to Cleopatra and the inhabitants of her Kingdom in Egypt.
In conclusion, it is the differing character’s comments and views that bring out the duality in Antony’s character in Act One. The comments from Antony uncover an underlying battle within himself, a battle fought by both his Egyptian and Roman side. Antony himself acts madly in love with Cleopatra, yet aside, he seems to know that his real loyalty lies with Rome, and his love with the queen can only lead to destruction and danger. Octavius Caesar’s remarks inform the audience of Antony’s past as a great and respected soldier of Rome. This reinforces the audience’s view of Antony’s character division and allows the audience to fully appreciate the difficult choice that Antony will have to make. In addition, Cleopatra’s comments on her lover give the audience her true personality traits of being manipulative and dramatic. These qualities fascinate Antony and encourage his lust and strengthen his Egyptian loyalty ties. Finally, Philo’s own observations of Antony give the notion of Cleopatra being a poison that has transformed Antony from a fully pledged guardian of Rome to an irresponsible and pleasure seeking fool.