40 BC was a time when power politics dominated the world, with major competitors constantly in opposition to each other, seeking to pursue individual motivations and advance their own cause. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first opposition we face at the beginning of the play is the opposition Antony faces from his followers regarding his actions motivated by his love for Cleopatra. Rome symbolizes order, conduct and government. Adrian Goldsworthy states that "Antony risks everything to follow his heart". Regarding lifestyle in 40 BC, Mark Antony, as a high political and military leader, lived a lavish and wealthy lifestyle. Choosing to leave for Egypt and abandon his duties, leaving behind the privileged life he had earned, was a decision clearly motivated by passion. Philo states that Antony was the "triple pillar of the world, transformed into a slut's fool." The "triple pillar" metaphor demonstrates Antony's position in the triumvirate, the three leaders of Rome. Parallel to this "trumpet madman", translated as "whore jester", acts as a tragic convention as Cleopatra is conveyed as her hamartia, or tragic flaw, supporting her followers' disappointment in her decision to pursue Cleopatra and abandon his birthplace. Keith Linley's view that "Antony gives in to his feelings and neglects his duties", supported historically by Antony leaving Rome for Egypt. His followers comment on the unusual nature of his emotions, claiming that his passion "exceeds the measure" (his passion is in excess). This hyperbole enhances the appearance of Antony's feelings towards Cleopatra, supported by John Munby's 2014 production of Antony and Cleopatra in which this excess of passion is represented by Antony being submissive to Cleopatra, following her on and off the set , tilting his body towards her at any given moment. After Cleopatra's abandonment of Antony during the sea battle against Antony, her followers state, "If our general had been what he knew, it would have been all right." This paradoxical statement demonstrates how the people of Rome oppose the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, believing that she has somehow poisoned his mind, making him not himself and incapable of ruling. This is also historically accurate, as several accounts have been discovered written by Romans who tried to create a smear campaign against Cleopatra, apologizing for why their leader suddenly became weak, blaming not infatuation but witchcraft. There is also an abundance of opposition against Antony politically. Adrian Goldsworthy states that "younger generations were more energetic in politics". The quote: “When we debate/Our trivial difference aloud, we commit/Murder to heal the wounds” supports this idea, showing Antony's passivity towards the turmoil as he tries to calm the other politically irritated members of the triumvirate. The fact that Antony was older than the other two members, Lepidus and Octavius, further supports Goldsworthy's claim. The political opposition is further represented through the reference to Lepidus in the quote "They are his fragments and he their cockroach". This anthropomorphism degrades Lepidus to an insect, creating images of him working tirelessly while they do nothing. There.