Antony & Cleopatra: The Definition of Love Antony and Cleopatra can be seen as a compilation of Shakespeare's previous works. He uses many themes and ideas that he has used in his earlier plays. He also uses this play to further define love. Shakespeare has explored this theme in the past and he found it to be successful. With the play, Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare compiles his previous plays to attempt to define love. Antony has a great deal of internal conflict. He has to choose between controlling the Roman Empire or being able to spend his life with Cleopatra. This is similar to the situation that both Romeo and Juliet have. They both must give