The title characters of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra are difficult to fully understand due to their seemingly illogical actions towards each other. At times, they appear to be in direct opposition to each other's causes, yet they are still fully and passionately in love with each other. Their story is unique in the canon of Shakespeare's works; while parallels can be drawn with the likes of Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra is unique in its depiction of the pleasures and pitfalls of love. Antony and Cleopatra's love is the catalyst that drives them both into and out of power. The fact that their relationship can overwhelm and rule their lives ultimately leads to their downfall. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The relationship between Antony and Cleopatra is both passionate and quarrelsome due to the burden it carries with the two lovers. It is symbiotic; each relies on the other to advance their cause. Antony boasts of his ability to bring assorted kings and despots under his and Cleopatra's banner. Such an undertaking would require vigilant attention to ensure loyalty and solidarity in command. The effects of Antony and Cleopatra's lax leadership are evident towards the end of the play, when their forces fracture and capitulate. The true driving force behind Antony's alliances and political maneuvering is Cleopatra's love and pleasures, yet it is distractions that prevent him from ruling effectively. For her part, Cleopatra's haughty nature demands that her sovereignty from Rome be maintained and her power not reduced. She pours her love, her particular brand, upon Antony, both as a means of securing that independence and as a sign of her own power to obtain such a high-ranking consort. His abilities as a ruler, however, are lacking and require knowledge of Antony in order for him to function properly. As such, the two find themselves at a low ebb the longer their relationship is maintained. Cleopatra gains Antony's loyalty through her love, but this distracts him from his duties. Only by carrying out his duties, however, are Rome's ever-hungry forces kept at bay, and he also draws their ire when Antony abandons their common cause. The two lovers neutralize each other and neutralize their goals. They find in each other the ability to rekindle for a while the strength and vitality of youth. As such, the worries that awaken them from their fantasies serve to momentarily break the power of their bond, as seen in Antony's belief in betrayal by Cleopatra's naval forces. He is a man who exists for temporary pleasure, and such an event interrupts his revelry and forces him to once again become a commander of men. It can be said that Antony would distance himself from all worldly affairs if he could ensure the continued quality of life afforded by his position as triumvir and that of queen. This combination of forces drives their passion as a couple; the higher they rise politically, the more they desire to be removed from the power struggles that such a position requires to maintain it. Antony follows Cleopatra to the dismay of his captains because his judgment is clouded by his preference for an easy and indifferent life. It's not that his commander skills are weak. Rather, his determination to enact them is instead weakened by his lack of willpower to deny himself Cleopatra's pleasures and focus on what needs to be done. For example, Antony wishes to engage in a naval battle against the forces.