Antony and Cleopatra

Pro
Caesar never gets the triumph he strives for

Antony defeats himself, he is never truly defeated by Caesar

Even in death, the greatness of Antony’s memory ultimately eclipses Caesar

Although Caesar achieves victory over Antony and gains world power, he is not able to destroy the more valuable love between Antony and Cleopatra.

Antony and Cleopatra's suicides are not dismal and desperate ends, but an escape from imminent Roman imposition

Caesar only defeats Antony in a military sense, when Cleopatra flees the battle Antony proves his greater allegiance to her as a lover and pursues her, sacrificing his valued image for bravery and becoming a subject of Roman ridicule for his apparent cowardice, showing that while he can be defeated in battle and lose the Roman aspect of his life, Caesar can never take Cleopatra from him.

Because of their later ages, and after the death of Antony’s first wife, both Antony and Cleopatra are aware that this is their last love, not their first. As such, preserving this love is more valuable to them than any military victory.

Shakespeare’s personal sentiments are echoed in this play, as a man now in his forties, his view of love is much more mature and complex, and the value of the two characters’ romance is validated by their age. Shakespeare places much stress on the age of the two lovers as to increase the value of Antony and Cleopatra's love. The constant acknowledgment of their age, in Cleopatra calling herself "the blown rose" and Antony resenting the youth of his rival Caesar, shows their recognition of their romance as their final passion.

Antony and Cleopatra live a better life than Caesar, indulging themselves in Egypt and revelling in their larger than life romance.