# Mark Antony — Antony and Cleopatra character guide > Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Antony, Marcus Antonius, Antonius, the brave Antony, the curled Antony, the scarce-bearded Caesar, Poor Antony, the adulterous Antony **First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i ## Snapshot Rome's triple pillar and once-plated Mars, now bent so wholly on Cleopatra that kingdoms feel like clay beside one night's pleasure. ## Who they are Antony is one of three men ruling the Roman world, yet he is first seen ignoring Rome's messengers to wander Alexandria's streets with Egypt's queen. His comrades call it dotage; he calls it peerless love, and the contradiction is the engine of the play. Every summons from Caesar or his wife Fulvia tests whether the old soldier can still be Antony when he is not beside Cleopatra. ## Relationships ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _romantic_ Passionate, tumultuous lovers whose intense romance is intertwined with political power and mutual destruction. ### [Agrippa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/agrippa) _rivalry_ Agrippa is a loyal general to Octavius Caesar and a direct military and political adversary of Mark Antony. ### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas) _rivalry_ Antony and Menas are enemies on opposing sides of the Roman civil conflict, with Menas serving Pompey. ### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras) _friendship_ Iras is Cleopatra's attendant who interacts with Antony as part of the Egyptian court, showing loyalty to the queen's lover. ### [Pompey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/pompey) _rivalry_ Antony and Pompey are political and military rivals vying for control of the Roman Republic. ### [Octavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/octavia) _family_ Octavia is Antony's wife (sister of Octavius), a political marriage that fails due to Antony's obsession with Cleopatra. ### [Charmian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/charmian) _friendship_ Charmian is a loyal servant of Cleopatra who treats Antony with respect as her queen's beloved. ### [Octavius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/octavius_caesar) _rivalry_ Antony and Octavius are former allies turned bitter enemies, fighting for sole control of Rome. ### [Enobarbus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/enobarbus) _professional_ Enobarbus is Antony's loyal but pragmatic friend and military officer, who eventually deserts him out of disillusionment. ### [Scarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/scarus) _professional_ Scarus is a loyal soldier under Antony's command, fighting bravely for him in battle. ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra) _romantic_ Passionate, tumultuous lovers whose intense romance is intertwined with political power and mutual destruction. ### [Agrippa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/agrippa) _rivalry_ Agrippa is a loyal general to Octavius Caesar and a direct military and political adversary of Mark Antony. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Dismisses news from Rome, declares his love for Cleopatra, and prioritizes pleasure over duty. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii) Receives news of Fulvia's death and political threats; resolves to leave Egypt. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) Attempts to justify his departure to Rome, citing Fulvia's death and Pompey's rebellion. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv) Discussed in absentia; criticized by Caesar for his indulgent lifestyle in Egypt and neglect of his political and military duties. ### [Scene I: Pompey's House in Messina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i) Referenced as being in Egypt, indulging in feasts and love with Cleopatra, but now expected to return to Rome. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii) Defends his actions in Egypt, agrees to marry Octavia to forge peace with Caesar. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii) Antony takes leave of Octavia and Caesar, listens to the Soothsayer's warning, and decides to return to Egypt, ordering Ventidius to Parthia. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi) Participates in the negotiations and is teased by Pompey about his time in Egypt; later discussed by Menas and Enobarbus regarding his marriage to Octavia. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vii) Engages in banter about the Nile and crocodiles; drinks and dances with the company. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i) Referenced as the grand captain to whom Ventidius will report; he is en route to Athens. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii) Takes leave of Caesar, reassuring him of his commitment to Octavia and the alliance. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv) Expresses grievances against Caesar and prepares for war, valuing honor above all. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v) Walking in the garden, spurning rushes, calling Lepidus a fool, and threatening the officer who killed Pompey. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vi) Antony is accused by Caesar of enthroning Cleopatra and their children, slandering Caesar, and assembling kings for war. He is described as having abandoned Octavia. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vii) Decides to fight Caesar by sea, overriding the counsel of his officers. ### [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ix) Orders the positioning of squadrons to survey Caesar's ships. ### [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xi) Overcome with shame and despair, he bids his followers leave him and reflects on his lost command and honor. ### [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-xiii) Volatile and humiliated, he lashes out at Cleopatra and Caesar's messenger, but rallies with renewed determination to fight. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii) Antony declares he will fight by sea and land, then shows emotional vulnerability to his servants, speaking of possible death and a 'mangled shadow'. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii) Referenced as the one whom the god Hercules loved and is now leaving. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv) Eagerly arms himself for battle, exchanging playful words with Cleopatra and kissing her farewell before leading his soldiers. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v) Antony receives news of Enobarbus's desertion and responds with generosity, ordering his treasure to be sent after him. ### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii) Leads his forces in battle, encouraging Scarus and promising reward for his bravery. ### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-viii) Leads his troops in victory, praises their valor, and greets Cleopatra with affectionate and triumphant language. ### [Scene X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-x) Commands his army and observes the enemy's naval preparations, expressing frustration at the choice of battle by sea. ### [Scene XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xii) Antony is devastated and enraged after learning his fleet has yielded to Caesar, accusing Cleopatra of betrayal and vowing revenge. ### [Scene XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xiv) Resolves to die after believing Cleopatra dead; attempts suicide and is carried to Cleopatra's monument. ### [Scene XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-xv) Brought dying to Cleopatra, speaks his last words, and dies in her arms. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters