In the first two acts of Antony and Cleopatra we are presented with the opposing cultures of mysterious, frivolous Egypt and ruthless, imperial Rome. Civil War has broken out, and there is discord both within the triumvirate and opposing camps. The intensity of Antony and Cleopatra's love causes disharmony. A political marriage for Antony in Rome compounds the situation.

The play opens interrupting Philo and Demetrius mid-conversation and we are made aware of discord within Antony's own camp. Philo's remark 'Nay, but this dotage of our general's / O'erflows the measure' indicate that Antony's adoration of Cleopatra is regarded as inappropriate and undignified. The use of imagery conveys the extent of their disgust; the once great warrior 'is become the bellows and the fan / To cool a gypsy's lust'. They have seen 'The triple pillar of the world transformed / Into a strumpet's fool'. As their conversation resumes at the end of scene one, it is clear that disapproval of Antony's conduct has spread to Rome:

That he approves the common liar, who

Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine

He accuses Antony of breaking the article of their alliance by failing to aid Caesar when he was threatened. Antony can only make feeble attempts at justifying himself. He had 'neglected' to act 'when poisoned hours had bound me up / From mine own knowledge'. He describes himself as 'the ignorant motive' before his half-hearted gesture '[I] do / So far ask pardon as befits mine honour / to stoop in such a case.' The animosity is maintained, as Antony knows Caesar has the upper hand. Caesar notes 'for't cannot be / We shall remain in friendship, our conditions / So diff'ring in their acts.'

Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame

Made wars upon me, and their contestation

His subsequent, unavoidable discussion with the messenger in scene two demonstrates that he is aware of his diminished reputation:

Some common words found in the essay are:
Caesar Caesar, Cleopatra's Antony, Philo Demetrius, Derek Traversi, Antony Caesar, Lucius Fulvia, Disagreement Pompey, Antony Octavia, Caesar Antony, Agrippa Egypt, antony cleopatra, act scene, antony caesar, marriage antony, political marriage antony, antony cleopatra's, political marriage, caesar antony, affairs rome, messenger scene, leave cleopatra,
Approximate Word count = 1590
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)