Jason H. Chang Counteracting the Opposition Julius Caesar was probably one of the most prominent figures in Roman history, known for his strong willed nature and commanding presence. In 44 BCE, Caesar was voted in to be Dictator perpetuo (often mistranslated as dictator for life).Worried that Caesar was becoming too powerful, several Roman senators including Brutus (a close friend of Caesar’s) assassinated Caesar while Caesar himself was by tradition, unarmed and defenseless. Following the assassination Brutus convinces the Roman citizens that Caesar was evil and overly ambitious. This places Marc Antony, a close friend of Caesar with a large burden to counteract Brutus’s arguments. Convincing his fellow Romans to change sides is no …show more content…
The sight of their former leader, Caesar dead on the floor, and Antony’s emotional turmoil prompts the crowd to make a decision: to join Antony or go against him. Ultimately, Antony wins the support of the crowd by convincing his goals and motives have more purpose and justification than that of Brutus’s as his emotional theatrics make it seem that he’s personally affected whereas Brutus addresses the assassination and his ultimate betrayal of Caesar with a sense of detachment. Due to Antony’s relatable nature compared to Brutus’s nonchalant and aloofness towards the crowd, the Roman citizenry start to believe in Antony and thus going in his favor. Later on, Antony brings out a scroll form his garment and proclaims that it is Caesar’s will, promptly putting it away saying that the crowd can only see it once they truly knew “how Caesar loved” them. Desperation is felt by the crowd and they all beg to know the contents of Caesar’s will. Eventually Antony, feeling that it’s the right time, points at Caesar’s cloak and begins to reminisce about the first time Caesar had put it on. The first time Caesar put it on was in Antony’s words on a “summer’s evening,” from this one can imagine Caesar being embellished with sunlight, beholding his power and influence. These vivid depictions of such nobility are soaked in by the crowd making them feel greater empathy for the demise of such a great leader. Since the crowd at this point is incredibly
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 Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the people of Rome have opinions that are very easily swayed. However, there is one man who does this best in comparison to the rest. This man is Marc Antony. He sways the crowd in favor of his ideas through his use of the will, his speaking techniques of ethos and logos, and by speaking directly to the hearts of the people of Rome.
Julius Caesar was a popular dictator of the Roman Republic. He was a successful leader of the military who grew the republic into parts of Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland. He was also well known for writing about his travels, theories, and political views. Alongside Caesar was the Senate, a group of politicians who were not elected and helped shape the government and Roman policy. They resented Caesar’s increasing power and popularity. They called themselves the “Liberators” and invited Caesar to a sporting event where they stabbed him to death 23 times. The Liberators who killed Caesar initially thought they were saving the Roman Republic, but instead, the majority of the Roman public ended up hating them and a long civil war ensued. The conflict arose between Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, and his general, Marc Antony, with the help of Cleopatra. The winner of the war would gain ultimate control over Rome. The civil war ended when Octavian seized the weak Roman Republic. He went on to rule Rome as its first emperor under the title Caesar
Julius Caesar was a Roman military general, politician, and dictator who played a big role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Although Brutus’s speech is more straightforward because he uses a lot of logos, Antony delivers an effective speech because of how wise and genuine he was with his words, and he uses a lot of pathos in the speech. He was a general, politician, and dictator who played a big role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Although Brutus’s speech is more straightforward because he uses a lot of logos, Antony delivers a more effective speech because of how wise and genuine he was with his words, and he uses a lot of pathos in the speech. Antony's speech is more effective due to the emotional
Many people know that Julius Caesar was betrayed and killed by many people who he had thought to be his friends. Some less common knowledge is that he did still have friends and others who stayed loyal to him. One man named Mark Antony was the most loyal of them all, even after Caesar’s death. When he found out Caesar had been killed, he began plotting to get on the traitor’s good sides and make it seem as if he had joined them so that he could convince the citizens to fight against them with him. He deceived the traitors and convinced them to let him speak at Caesar’s funeral, and in this speech he turned the citizens against them using very powerful rhetorical skills. After he had drove the traitors from the city, he took control of the city and led them to victory in a war against the conspirator’s armies. These are three telling examples that prove Antony’s skill and potential as a leader.
Antony appeals to his audience's emotions: horror, sadness and anger, to persuade them to his view. Antony enters with Caesar's body and shows his lamentation over his death, which reminds the plebeians what a horrible deed Brutus committed.
Mark Antony’s speech following Julius Caesar’s assassination uses his own understanding of ethos, pathos, and logos to make the crowd feel his pain and play effectively into his own motivations unknowingly. As Mark Antony delivers his speech to the crowd of plebeians his purpose and motivation is revealed when in context before the actual speech is delivered when Antony says, “A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;” (III.i.262-264).Antony’s motives have been uncovered to reveal his desire for a civil war that will bring him more power and throughout his speech he is also trying to disprove those, in his opinion, false accusations of ambition Caesar’s murderers have given as cause for his death.
Tone produces an overall effect upon the play Julius Caesar, and nevertheless, Shakespeare didn’t neglect its presence in Antony’s address, providing assist in converting the people of Rome to avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;” (III,ii,73), Antony spoke towards the Plebeians, as he began the prolonged proclamation in an agreeing, companionable tone. By commencing the eulogy, Antony schemingly interprets his audiences stances of Caesar’s death and produces his speech around their agreements with Brutus. Agreeing with the others, while he actually did not, Antony forms his appearance as a comparable Roman, making it easier to sway the Plebeians’ beliefs. Continuing his speech, the friendly
Antony and Cassius, unlike Brutus, never separate their private affairs from their public actions while Brutus tries to prove himself by acting only with respect to honor and virtue, completely ignoring his personal concerns. For example, Cassius disliked the fact that Caesar became “godlike” in the eyes of the Romans, so he leads Brutus to believe that Caesar had become too powerful and must die by sending him forged letters claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar, ultimately converting Brutus to his cause. At last Brutus ends up murdering his good friend in an act he truly believed was honorable. Marc Antony, who also shares in Cassius’ selfish trait, persuaded the conspirators that he is on their side, therefore gaining their leniency. He proceeds to persuade the plebeians of the conspirators’ injustice and gains support of the masses.
In Act Three Marcus Brutus changes the people's opinion of the death of Caesar instantly. He convinces them that the assassination should not be considered evil, but seen as to the only way to survive while remaining free. The citizens of Rome trust and respect Brutus and believe him. Then Marc Antony convinces the people to come to a different conclusion than that portrayed by Brutus and his "honorable men". The crowd believes Antony that the conspirators committed this crime through jealousy, greed and the desire to limit Julius Caesar's growing authority. At first Marc Antony only plants a minor idea in the public's mind, allowing them to think about and discuss the new information presented to them. This method initiates the contemplation of serious issues for the crowd of citizens who need no more than this to come to their own opinion concerning what took place (III, 2, 62-106). Marc Antony then stirs his audience with emotions every person in Rome can relate to, focusing on guilt and anger. These passions intertwine, for when the crowd begins to feel guilty, they also start to become enraged. Marc Antony creates a dangerous situation with his riled audience and the possession of information that sets them over the edge into being an unforgiving mob (III, 2, 107-259). Having a serious effect on an audience is important when trying to be understood fully, however revenge is a dangerous topic especially when being
In the Tragedy Of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Anthony both presented a speech to the citizens of Rome. Brutus argued why his actions to kill Julius were acceptable while Antony contradicted Brutus’s views, arguing why Caesar should not have been murdered. Both speakers used ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade the people of Rome. Brutus’s speech was mainly based on logic, while Antony’s speech took more of an emotional approach . Overall, Antony had a sophistic style, he was much more artful and cunning than Brutus. He reeled in the crowd like a fish and captured them with his compelling diction.
Antony gave the most effective funeral speech to thoroughly convince the Roman people to side with him and rebel against the conspirators. In order to accomplish this, Antony uses the persuasive techniques logos, ethos, and pathos.
Unlike the common view of leaders, the potential leaders of Julius Caesar are not necessarily nice or giving. However, sometimes that is necessary. In the play Julius Caesar, a long tale of leadership shows the true qualities of the greatest leaders. Where the reader finds themselves started is at the point which Antony and Caesar, the overconfident leader of Rome, are discussing people around them. This discussion boils to a point in which Antony and Caesar discuss the possibility of Cassius being a threat to Caesar. Later, readers find Cassius is indeed a threat, as he and multiple others, including Brutus, stab Caesar to death. Antony then brings Caesar’s body to the multitude, and with a great speech inspires a hatred for those who wrongfully stabbed him. At the next point Antony is seen, he and Octavius are the new rulers of Rome. These two comrades go and finally eliminate the last of the traitors, Cassius and Brutus, in a battle that cements the two as the new leaders of Rome. Throughout all these actions, one man particularly showed that he should control the Roman Empire. Antony was created to be Rome’s leader in Julius Caesar, where William Shakespeare gave him inspirational abilities, persuasiveness, and fearlessness which are unparalleled.
Consequently, the citizens of Rome are starting to realize that the murder was corrupt and not justifiable. Another appeal Mark Antony utilizes is logos, or logic. To elaborate, Antony temps the citizens with the will of Caesar, “Here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar./ I found it in his closet; ’tis his will” (3.2.125-126). The use of the parchment is to entice the citizens into wanting to know more about Caesar. His will is very generous and makes him look like a gracious and giving ruler, which is the exact opposite of what the conspirators thought. The factual evidence presented in the will provides the citizens with the rage they need to revolt against the conspirators. In brief, Pathos, Ethos, and Logos help Antony gain the citizens support and convey his counterpoints to the audience of his speech.