The value of loyalty is that it allows those who receive it to feel secure in a world where almost nothing is absolute. In this circumstance, loyalty has become a highly valued quality in today's society. Unfortunately, true loyalty is a difficult quality to achieve, as it requires the servant to feel intense love for his master. Loyalty to others is not as effective as there are often temptations that can influence it. In Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra the importance of loyalty is seen most clearly through the relationship between Mark Antony and Ahenobarbus, Antony's most faithful servant. Although Ahenobarbus has true loyalty to Antony, his human knowledge forces him to reconsider his loyalties. Enobarbus thinks that Antony is becoming a fool. Antony's stupidity comes from his relationship with Cleopatra. Ahenobarbus tries to convince Antony to follow the correct course of action, but Antony consistently does the opposite by listening to Cleopatra. This forces Ahenobarbus to choose between his loyal duty to Antony and what he considers the correct path. Meanwhile, Caesar's temptations give Ahenobarbus another master to serve under. The play sees a systematic deterioration of Ahenobarbus' ability to remain loyal and he ultimately chooses to leave Antony. Enobarbus' betrayal seriously wounds Antony, but above all destroys Enobarbus. He does not realize that his loyalty, being true loyalty, binds him eternally to Antonio. In the end his loyalty is revealed to be absolute, but this is only seen through the tragic consequences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the play, Ahenobarbus is quickly identifiable as Antony's closest confidant. Ahenobarbus comforts Antony in conversation. Antonio discusses at length the most private and important issue. Ahenobarbus fits the role of best friend perfectly as he is Antony's most loyal servant. At the end of the dialogue Antony makes a request and Enobarbus responds with "I will not" (I, ii, 193). The blunt nature of this sentence shows Ahenobarbus' unquestionable loyalty to Antony. This serves to provide the highest starting point from which Ahenobarbus' loyalty can only decline. The first time conflict occurs between Ahenobarbus and Antony is during their first political meeting with Octavius ​​Caesar. Antony rebukes Ahenobarbus by saying: "You are only a soldier, speak no more" (II, ii, 108). Ahenobarbus, who feels justified in what he had said, responds with "That the truth should be silent I had almost forgotten" (II, ii, 109). This sarcasm does not please Antonio as he considers it to be a questioning of his authority in the face of his greatest rival. Antony rebukes Ahenobarbus more severely, who then reluctantly concedes. The forced resolution of this conflict leaves Ahenobarbus slightly embittered and sows the seeds for his loss of loyalty. The catharsis that causes Ahenobarbus to question his loyalty is fear. Enobarbus is afraid of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra. It is clear to him that Cleopatra is harmful to Antony, especially because Antony is unable to control his desire for her. In a conversation with Maecenas, Maecenas says, "Now Antony must leave her completely" to which Ahenobarbus replies "Never; he will not" (II, ii, 234-235). The knowledge that Enobarbus obtains from his own words causes him fear because he no longer knows if he can trust his master's judgment. The logical dilemma this presents is that Ahenobarbus must ask himself whether he wants to remain faithful to this master or potentially change masters. Ahenobarbus's meeting with Pompey is the first time that Ahenobarbus shows respect for aanother potential master. He responds to Pompey's praise with "I never loved you much; but I praised you when you deserved ten times as much as I told you" (II, vi, 77-79). Ahenobarbus slipping more respect than formality requires. This admission of respect for Pompey shows that Ahenobarbus might have respect for another master. The only saving grace of his statement is that he included that he never loved Pompey. An important part of the true loyalty relationship between master and servant is that the servant must love his master. After the meeting with Pompey, Ahenobarbus argues with Menas. In this discussion, Ahenobarbus reveals that he already knows what the outcome of Antony's marriage to Octavia will be. He knows that Antony will return to Cleopatra and Caesar will use this as justification for war. Ahenobarbus believes that Antony was foolish in his lustful pursuit of Cleopatra because he did not consider the long-term consequences. These consequences include the deaths of thousands of people and the loss of an empire. Antonio is willing to risk these risks for short-term physical gratification. Antony's selfishness disgusts Ahenobarbus more and more as they get closer to war. When Antony is finally on the brink of war with Caesar, true to Ahenobarbus' premonitions, it is his stupidity, the result of his affair with Cleopatra, that causes his downfall. Cleopatra encourages Antony to engage in a naval battle with Caesar. This is a bad decision because Antonio is a great general on land and not so good at sea. Even though he knows he should meet Caesar on land, Antony's ego makes him want to impress Cleopatra, and so he agrees to meet Caesar at sea. The other danger associated with the war plan is that Cleopatra intends to enter into battle with Antony. Enobarbus knows that this is extremely dangerous, since Cleopatra is so capable of influencing Antony. Ahenobarbus must now reconcile himself to the fact that he may be on the losing side. However, he maintains his loyalty. His attempts to deal with this situation by trying to dissuade Cleopatra from taking part in the battle. Cleopatra refuses to listen to him. When this doesn't work, Ahenobarbus desperately tries to dissuade Antony from taking part in a naval battle by explaining the military folly of it. Antony replies to Enobarbus' elegant argument "I will fight on the sea" (III, vii, 49). Cleopatra is happy about this and promises her help in what becomes the Battle of Actium. During the battle, just as Antony is on the verge of victory, Cleopatra, considering the war merely a game, turns her ships and sets sail. Antony, helplessly following Cleopatra, turns and chases her, causing him to lose the battle. This causes deep humiliation for Antonio and degrades his status as a master. After being informed of the battle Ahenobarbus states: "I will still follow the wounded case of Antony, even if my reason is in the wind against me" (III, x, 35-37). Ahenobarbus is at a point where he can no longer justify his loyalty. Indeed, his human capacity to reason tells him that he should no longer be loyal, yet he still feels an inexplicable loyal attachment to Antonio. This attachment is the effect of an inseparable loyalty, but Enobarbus does not realize it. When Antony begins to make light of his loss at the Battle of Actium, Ahenobarbus is furious. He cannot understand how his master can simply laugh at such a great loss of respect and pride. He also knows that Antony would not behave this way if it were not for Cleopatra. Ahenobarbus is so disappointed that he poses a dilemma; "Loyalty well demonstrated to fools makes our simple faith folly: yet he who can bear to faithfully follow a fallen lord conquers he who has conquered thehis master and earns a place in history" (III, xiii, 42-46). On the one hand, Ahenobarbus sees that he is following a fool as a master and that it takes an even greater fool to follow a fool. On the other song, he recognizes that if he remains loyal he will have the possibility of obtaining greater recognition. This choice places a crossroads in Enobarbus' path. It is significant that at this point his choice to remain faithful is also to realize his desires first time that Enobarbus openly puts his desires before Antony's needs. Shortly afterwards, a messenger from Caesar comes to Cleopatra tempting her to join him. Cleopatra's incomprehensible response (III, xiii, 59) makes Ahenobarbus fearful. that she is ready to betray Antony. Her inexplicable loyalty takes hold and she goes straight to tell Anotony. Antony has the messenger whipped and scolds Cleopatra. Cleopatra passionately explains that she would never betray him and puts her trust in her loyalty. the same loyalty that failed him in the battle of Actium. Antony is so easily convinced only because of his lustful desire for Cleopatra: "let's have another lavish night" (III, xiii, 183). Enobarbus is incredulous that he witnessed this. She ultimately decides that what is in her best interest is to leave Antonio; :"I will look for some way to leave him" (III, xiii, 200-201). Enobarbus chooses the crossroads that leads away from loyalty. This mistake is made because Ahenobarbus does not understand the full value of his loyalty and cannot truly leave it. Ahenobarbus hides his emotions and favors common sense. Even though Ahenobarbus believes that Antony has lost all sense, Antony somehow proves him wrong as he gives the morale speech to his men. Antony praises all his men for their loyalty. This makes his men cry. Ahenobarbus also cries, but his tears burn because he has already decided to desert. Unfortunately this speech is not enough to bring back Enobarbus who has already taken the wrong path. Antony's decision to fight at sea again finally moves Ahenobarbus to Caesar's camp. When Antony discovers that Enobarbus has betrayed him, he is heartbroken. He tells Eros, another faithful soldier, to send all his rightful treasure to Ahenobarbus. He regards Ahenobarbus' betrayal as his own failure: "Say that I would that he should never again find reason to change masters. Oh, my fortunes have corrupted honest men" (IV, v, 15-17). Even before receiving his treasure, Enobarbus realizes that he has made a mistake: "I have done evil, for which I accuse myself so gravely that I will no longer rejoice" (IV, vi, 18-20). Enobarbus becomes depressed when he realizes his mistake and realizes that he can no longer return to Antony. Once Ahenobarbus receives his treasure, it seals his fate. Enobarbus considers himself "the villain of the earth" (IV, vi, 30). Enobarbus realizes that true loyalty, the one based on love, is eternal and cannot be betrayed. He discovers that his loyalty to Antonio is true loyalty. Yet he, Ahenobarbus, betrayed his master. The only possible repercussion of challenging true loyalty is death. Ahenobarbus wanders in melancholy madness constantly denigrating himself until he dies of grief. In his final moments Ahenobarbus has a fantastic conversation with Antony in which he tries to apologize. However, he does not ask for absolution. He fully understands the gravity of his actions and is waiting to die. His last request is "that the world should consider me in the register as a fugitive and a fugitive" (IV, ix, 21-22). Enobarbus hates himself. He feels as if he has committed the most despicable crime known to man. He turns out to be a detestable individual. Ahenobarbus is destroyed. He shouts at Antonio twice before dying of pain. Please note: this is just an example. Get a document now.