Mark Antony is one of the Roman triumvirates, that is one of the 3 rulers of the empire. In the beginning of the play he is living in Egypt and is having an affair with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. He neglects his duties, doesn't want to hear any news from Rome and is completely devoted to Cleopatra. This changes, however, when he learns from a messenger that Sextus Pompeius, a Roman general, is preparing to fight against the Romans, and that Antony's wife Fulvia is now dead. Antony feels guilty for what happened in his absence and decides to go back to Rome. There he meets Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, the other triumvirates and they prepare to fight Pompey. Before the battle, however, they reach a compromise and avoid fighting. Antony marries Octavia (Caesar's sister) and goes back to Egypt. He later learns that in his absence Caesar has killed Pompey and imprisoned Lepidus. He decides to go to war against Caesar and, against good judgement, fights his first battle at sea, thinking that Cleopatra's ships will help him win the battle. During the battle, however, the Egyptian ships flee and Antony follows them, leaving the other ships vulnerable.

In this monologue Antony expresses his shame for how he handled the battle and urges his servants to abandon him.