Antony's Use Of Verbal Irony In Julius Caesar

Antony, another Julius Caesar character, employs three Machiavellian skills: using fickleness to his advantage,“...while you treat them well, they are yours” (Prince 3), and ruling by fear. Antony’s objective was revenge toward the conspirators for killing Caesar. Antony also successfully used the fickleness of the Roman people to his advantage. After Brutus explained why the conspirators had killed Caesar, the crowd was understanding and agreed with the conspirator’s actions. The Roman peasants are convinced; they even want Brutus as their new emperor, with better qualities than Caesar. The plebians say, “Caesar’s better parts / Shall be crowned in Brutus” (3.2.54-55). But the level of the masses’ support for Brutus did not deter Antony’s opinion of the wrongdoing of the conspirators. In Antony’s speech, he spoke both confidently and assertively, which led to Antony convincing the crowd to support his cause and fight against the conspirators. Additionally, in Machiavellian style, Antony understands the crowd’s perspective; they need praise to believe in Antony’s cause. Antony appeased the Roman masses when Antony

In the story Antony uses many things to connect to his audience on an emotional level. His best example was when he said “This

In Marc Antony’s funeral speech, he uses many rhetorical devices to sway the crowd. Antony

His manner in the way he manipulated the crowd was much cunning than Brutus’s speech. The way he is able to read the crowd and state information that will connect with the audiences emotions. His speech is also much longer than Brutus’, and more effective. Initially, Antony says, “I have to come to bury Caesar, not to praise him” (III.ii.33) which is not true; he basically came to fault the conspirators and tell the crowd to do something about it. Antony also says that he came not to counteract any of Brutus’s words…. but thats exactly what he does. Antony uses reason in his speech when saying that Brutus is ambitious: “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition” (III.ii.105-106). This ultimately shows Antony’s use of words in his speech are full of irony, acting like he is supporting Brutus by saying, “Brutus is an honorable man” (III.ii.108) which is actually not what he means. His speech is filled with notions and suggestions that is meant to undermine the audiences belief in Brutus. By the time Antony mentions the fourth “honorable man”- the audiences catches on and Brutus and the conspirators are traitors in their eyes. Antony’s use of sarcasm allows for the crowd to fill in the blank of what Antony’s trying to say without breaking the agreement with the conspirators. Antony’s able to manipulate the crowd in such a way that he is able to tell

From ancient literature to modern day writing, Aristotle's rhetoric has influenced authors in how to persuade and to make a point. In fact, Mark Antony’s speech in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar serves as a great example of a distinguished rhetorical piece, well-known for its significant use of ethical, logical, and emotional appeals. In his speech, one of the main characters, Mark Antony, relies upon Aristotle’s rhetorical strategies, ethos, pathos, and logos, to persuade the plebeians to revolt against the murderers of Caesar and start a civil war in Rome.

Some evidence is when Antony says, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" (Act 3, Scene 2). This captures the attention of the audience and establishes a personal connection. Not only that, but Antony skillfully talks to the crowd with somewhat sarcasm when he repeatedly refers to Brutus and the conspirators as "honorable men" (Act 3, Scene 2). By repeating this phrase, Antony sabotages their credibility and plants doubt into their minds. This evidence shows Antony's persuasive tactics and his ability to manipulate the emotions of the crowd.

In Antony’s short speech he is able to manipulate the whole entire crowd with simple techniques. Through repetition and comparison, the reader is shown what power it truly has over a crowd. In literature, the act of repetition enforces an idea. When writing Julius Caesar, Shakespeare had the same idea.

Brutus used repetition the most to influence the crowd. He states about Caesar’s “tears, love, and ambition.” Brutus also asked the audience rhetorical questions that they could not answer, and he would take their silence as if they were agreeing when in reality they were probably too scared to answer. Antony also used repetition to sway the crowd. He often pointed out that “Brutus was an honorable man” and he said it with more and more sarcasm each time. Antony also took advantage of the crowd and used reverse psychology on them. He used Caesar’s will as a tool to accomplish this. He told the crowd about Caesar’s will, telling them that they would think twice if they heard what was in the will, but he doesn’t read it to them. That made them beg for him to read it to them. Not only does this get them to do what he wants, it also give the crowd a false sense of authority over Antony. Also, he asks the crowd if he can come down and join them, saying they give him permission, again giving them that sense of authority. Antony, in addition to the will, used Caesar’s body as a prop in his speech. He created a sympathetic attitude towards Caesar. The other pathos appeal Antony used was the contrast that he showed between the beginning and end of his speech. He opened, saying he was only to “bury Caesar, not to praise him” yet towards the end he had accomplished his goal in making the crowd feel sorry for Caesar and wanting to

At first, Antony tries to use Ethos, trying to persuade the crowd into trusting him. He does this by using words such as “Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears” (III,ii,70). Here, Antony uses kind and calm words to gain trust of being honest, and meaning no harm. He continues to try gaining trust by calling Brutus an “honorable

Antony uses an abundance of pathos in his speech. One example is: “Caesar was my friend and just to me” (III, ii, 86). Using pathos helps the audience make connections with him. He also reads Caesar’s will which makes the people feel guilty about turning against Caesar during Brutus’ speech. He shows them the stabs wounds on Caesar’s coat and names which conspirator stabbed him. The Roman people now feel pity and anger towards the conspirators. Overall, Antony was smart with his words and won over the Roman people better than

Antony interpreted the crowd very well and understanding the way they thought, thus why his

This helps Antony gain the support of the crowd. With his newfound support, he is able to capitalize on the situation and use his authority to execute the conspirators. Without the use of rhetoric devices, he might not have been able to convince the crowd to betray Brutus and Cassius. William Shakespeare writes, “Look you here, Here is himself, marred as you see with traitors” (65). In addition, in this detail, Antony shows the crowd the body of Julius Caesar and shows the stab wounds given by the traitors.

Shakespeare reveals a similar notion to Machiavelli in relation to authority and leadership through the character of Antony. Antony uses a similar strategy to Machiavelli and Borgia by effectively manipulating Brutus and the plebeians for his own benefit. Shakespeare set Julius Caesar in Ancient Rome to portray the concerns prevalent in Elizabethan England. This era consisted of a patriarchal hierarchy which created the opportunistic man and ability to take greed, similar to what Antony embodies. After Caesar’s death Antony possesses the role of the true Machiavel through his appearance of virtue. Antony differs to Machiavelli’s attitude as he explores this value through revenge motives. Antony manipulates the conspirators through the physical action of “first, Marcus Brutus, I will shake with you”. This is symbolic as it aligns Antony with Brutus thus initiating his manipulative nature. Antony’s funeral speech highlights the appearance of virtue to manipulate the plebeians due to his position of authority. The use of repotia in “but Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man” illustrates the manipulation and raises doubt in the crowd’s mind. Antony is able to weaken Brutus’ argument and eventually this

Right after Caesar had been killed, the conspirators had encountered Antony. Antony, being heartbroken with the death of Julius Caesar, had a simple request, which was to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Little did the men know the malevolent plan that Antony had in mind. When the day of the funeral came, and Brutus had finished speaking, Antony came up and began his speech declaring, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears… For Brutus is an honorable man; so are they all, all honorable men.” (Julius Caesar. II. ii. 70-79). Antony clearly does not believe the men that killed his beloved friend are honorable, yet he continues to call them this. Antony is demonstrating verbal irony by filling his words with sarcasm. Besides verbal, situational, and dramatic irony, Shakespeare also used the powerful tool of symbolism within The Tragedy of Julius