How does Act one of 'Antony and Cleopatra' prepare us for the rest of the play?
In Elizabethan times, the playing companies used inns, inn yards, college halls and private homes to perform their plays. People loved going to the theatre for entertainment and also for the thrill of it. Shakespeare's plays had to measure up to the pleasure theatre goers got from watching a public execution, as this was one of the ways people got their excitement. In order to persuade an audience to view the play, the content had to contain important elements of drama, such as exploitation, coercion and conflict. It was hoped that this would make the play exciting enough for people to attend.
Nowadays, many people may consider such elements to have a bad influence on theatre goers. Some audiences may prefer a comedy show. However, in Antony and Cleopatra, the tragedy is what makes the play worth watching and in particular, the build up to the end, which includes the unexpected and exciting elements. One of the main themes in the play is the enormous contrast between Egypt and Rome. Egypt is all about love, luxury and Antony and Cleopatra, while Rome values honour, duty and Caesar.
The opening conversation between Philo and Demetrius suggests that Philo's fascination with Cleopatra is getting in the way of his duties. Philo compares Antony to Mars, the Roman God of war, which causes us to think how extraordinary a person he must be. The audience is made to feel that they want to find out what makes Antony so powerful a man. What Philo says, creates the image that Antony is a great warrior, who cannot be beaten, yet at the same time, finds Cleopatra a distraction, interfering with his military responsibilities.
There is a great difference between the values of duty and responsibility and pleasure seeking. However, Antony appears to think he can have the best of both worlds. When he remarks, bellows and the fan, the impression is given that Anthony has a huge attraction to Cleopatra but when he speaks of triple pillar of the world, the audience is made to feel that Antony is one of the rulers of the great Roman empire. The impression is also given that Antony's place in the triumvirate should be his priority.
Antony is portrayed as rude and arrogant to the messenger who brings him news from Caesar, Grates me! The Sum. He has no reason to be angry at the messenger, who has not done anything wrong. Antony primarily belonged in Rome and Cleopatra is the only thing keeping him in Egypt. This is a problem because Rome needs him. Let Rome in Tiber melt ... Kingdoms are clay. Caesar will be frustrated because Antony is not where he is supposed to be and Antony does not care. All he wants is to escape Caesar to be with Cleopatra. He speaks negatively of Rome, commenting that it has realism associated with it, whereas in Egypt he can choose to be hedonistic.
If Antony remains in Egypt, he feels he will lose himself to Cleopatra as she will have him under her spell. Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know my idleness doth hatch. He has to decide between his duties in Rome or pleasures in Egypt. Antony has previously told Cleopatra
he will stay with her, but realises he has to go to Rome.
At the end of the scene, Antony departs to Rome. He has realised that this is where he is most needed and that he has not choice in order to avoid Caesar being angry with him. The return to Rome points to the fact that Antony is loyal and honest to the citizens of Rome. At the beginning of the play, Antony wanted Cleopatra. By the end, Antony regrets the strength of his feelings for her. One part of him wants to stay in Egypt, but the other more powerful part side of him, needs to go back to Rome.
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