ABSTRACT
Antony is a Roman general in competition with several other men for the position of leader of the known world. As the play opens Antony has developed a dotage on Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Neither Antony nor Cleopatra is as young as Romeo and Juliet; they are middle aged. The theme of a conflict between Antony’s military career and his dotage upon Cleopatra is introduced already in the opening lines of the play. Technically Philo is a follower of Antony but dramatically he is an observer and judge, and being a Roman soldier he disapproves of his general’s dotage. In terms of the unconscious, Antony and Cleopatra is the story of oedipal success and the price that was paid for it. Reality breaks in with a messenger from Rome. Antony does not want to hear him but Cleopatra insists. As William Shakespeare portrays Antony he is split and can be sincere with both Cleopatra and Octavius Caesar.
