"A triple pillar of the world or a strumpet's fool?" - Impressions of Antony

Antony and Cleopatra is a Shakespearian play that focuses on the events that take place whilst Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt and Antony, a member of the triumvirate in Italy, are conducting a highly visible love affair. Whilst Cleopatra is portrayed as a strong, manipulative and selfish woman, Antony is shown to be weak and easily influenced when with Cleopatra, but powerful and level-headed when running his country. However, it is hard to determine whether Antony …

…people exactly how she wants. Antony is powerless compared to her - he is perhaps blinded by her beauty and personality and does not seem to mind her pushing him around. Although Antony does stand up for himself a little, at this point he is definitely more of a "strumpet's fool". However, this impression is only from the first four scenes of the play - Antony's character may change a lot more by the end.