In the first scene of the final act, Decretas (Antony’s man) brings Octavius Caesar the sword of Antony and tells Octavius that Antony has killed himself. Even though Octavius wanted to defeat Antony, the news makes him extremely sad. In fact, he even weeps (or cries). Octavius realizes that Antony was one of the greatest Romans of all time. Octavius comments that a “rarer spirit never did steer humanity” (31-32). The word steer means to rule or govern. Antony was special, unique. And Octavius also comments that the death of Antony “should have shook lions into civil streets” (16). He means that omens (supernatural signs) should have occurred to mark the death of such a great man. The reader may recall that such omens appeared just prior to the assassination in Julius Caesar. Yet no omens or ghosts appear in Antony and Cleopatra. It is, then, a more realistic play than Julius Caesar.
Octavius fears that Cleopatra may also kill herself. He tells an Egyptian messenger to inform Cleopatra that he does not wish to harm her and that he will treat her honorably (lines 56-59). But that is a lie. After the messenger leaves, Octavius tells his officer that he hopes to bring Cleopatra to Rome as his captive (or prisoner: lines 65-66). He intends to parade her through the streets of Rome as a trophy (or prize) to signify his victory or triumph over Antony.