Like many great leaders littered throughout the ages Antony stands on the pedestal of his public image, relying solely on his past achievements and other people's opinions of him to maintain a facade. He is not alone in this dilemma, for many of his fellow world- conquers have fallen into the same trap and suffered the consequences. Napoleon, a great leader of the Georgian era, was quoted on his death bed as saying 'The people, I am what they want of me.'
             It is in other people's opinions of him that Antony's fall from grace is most evident. In the opening scene Demitrius and Philo, two of Antony's followers, provide an insight into what those who serve Anthony so loyally feel about the way he is conducting himself; 'His captains heart, which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst and is become the bellows to cool a gypsy's lust'. Not only is this incredibly insulting to Cleopatra, but also shows the dismay Antony's men feel for their brave general.
             Almost as vital to the great leader's identity is his pride at being Roman and it is a testament to how strong a grasp Cleopatra has over him that in 1.1 he proclaims 'Let Rome in Tiber melt. And the wide arches of the ranged empire fall!' Such a gesture, made to placate Cleopatra, would be viewed as subservient in society at the time and unworthy of a giant among men such as Antony. This grieves Demetrius and Philo enormously; 'I am full sorry of that he approves the common liar who thus speaks of him at Rome' confirming that in the eyes of the Roman people Antony's good name is being tarnished by his behaviour. Blissfully ignorant of this, Antony carries of eating, drinking and merrymaking in Egypt.
             Upon the death of his wife Fulvia the peril at which his absence has placed the Empire in by the news the messenger brings; 'ten thousand harms more than the ills I know my idleness doth hatch&apo...