In his play Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare develops a constant theme of conflict between duty and desire which can be seen throughout the artwork ; this theme is illustrated most powerfully through the actions of the main characters and the overall characterization of said characters. Shakespeare wastes no time establishing this theme, as we see from the first line of the play. The play opens with a monologue from Philo, a character who criticizes the actions of Mark Antony, calling him "a trumpet fool." Through this monologue, Shakespeare presents to the audience that “the heart of Antony which burst in the brawls of great battles” has now “become the bellows and the fan to cool the desire of a gypsy.” With this statement, Shakespeare reveals to the audience that Antony loved war, but now loves Cleopatra more. Philo's criticism of Marc Antony sets a precedent that is repeated throughout the play and, through this, the audience becomes aware that the conflict between duty and desire is more prevalent in the character of Marc Anthony. Shakespeare's presentation of this feud is more concerned with the tension itself, rather than one aspect prevailing over another. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe first act of Antony and Cleopatra plays a crucial role in developing this tension between duty and desire. This is particularly prevalent in the character of Marc Antony, as he is torn between these tensions in multiple ways. This is first introduced when news "from Rome" arrives. Discussing this news from Rome with Cleopatra, Antony proclaims that Egypt is "my [his] place." Through this scene, the audience also understands that Mark Antony has a wife and that due to his status in Egypt, Antony is unable to fulfill his duties as a husband, thus succumbing to his desires with Cleopatra. In doing so, Shakespeare presents Antony as a disloyal character. Shortly afterwards, Antony exclaims that he wishes that “Rome in the Tiber would melt” and that “the empire would fall”. The reason this is important is because Antony rules over a third of the Roman Empire. Thanks to this, the audience becomes aware that Antoine is so absorbed in this quest that he is ready to see his fortune “melt away”. The presentation of duty and desire in Antony and Cleopatra ultimately forms the basis of this play's major conflict. . This is first noticed in Act 1, Scene 4, when Octavian Caesar has a conversation with Lepidus. In this conversation, Caesar reveals that he feels "hatred" in the fact that Mark Antony "practically gave no audience, nor guaranteed that he had partners." In this sense, Caesar feels betrayed during Antony's prolonged stay in Egypt. In doing so, Shakespeare manages to quickly lay the groundwork for the main conflict of the play. Furthermore, Caesar continues that Mark Antony chooses to "confuse this age" in a way that jeopardizes "his [Marc Antony's] state and ours." Through this, Caesar reveals that he is upset that Mark Antony is wasting time and vital resources on their cause, thereby endangering Rome's position. This further develops the main conflict of the play and thus adds to the ever-present quarrel between duty and desire in the play. In an attempt to restore his authority in Rome, make amends with the other members of the triumvirate and begin pursuing duty rather than desire, Mark Antony decides to return to Rome and marry Octavia Caesar, Octavian's sister. The motivating factor behind this approach.