William Shakespeare's Presentation of Octavius Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra

In the hit movie “Cleopatra”, Octavian’s character is adapted for the movie and does not precisely describe his true quality. In reality, Octavian was a brave ruler who loved to fight. “The movie portrays him in a very negative light, also showing him to be a physical coward who avoided wine, woman, and gambling” (Cane, 13). For example, Octavian is shown as weak when he does not participate in the battle of Philippi because he is sick. Although it is true that Octavian was prone to sickness, he was not a coward, and often showed significant bravery in battle. For instance, Octavian was certainly brave and determined to gain control over the Roman Empire and defeat Antony. In an epic sea battle off the coast of Southwest Greece” (Gill)”, Octavian was undoubtedly active in fighting (successfully) for his position and power. Also, Octavian is misrepresented when portrayed as stingy, never taking part in his own wars, never drinking, or concerning himself with women. In reality, for example “Octavian actually loved gambling with dice and indulged in extramarital affairs” (Cane 14). The writers and producers of the movie probably altered Octavian’s character to make a contrast and set apart his character from the other main men in the plot. The main

William Shakespeare uses breathe taking, spectacular, and deep characters throughout the play. From major characters like Caesar and Brutus to smaller ones such as Lucius and Portia they all feel fleshed out and part of the story no matter their stage time. One of the major ways a character is displayed is Brutus as he decides to go against and kill Caesar. Quoted from Shmoop University “Brutus on one hand does not want to kill Caesar since he is great friends with him and respects him very much. But on the other he wants Rome to stay a republic and fears that Caesar will make it into an empire’’. However Brutus is later convinced by Cassius and other conspirators to kill him. Brutus explains how he has a war within himself over this

There have been many rulers in history who have been betrayed by those they trust, but The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare,1959) still holds a special place in Western literature as one of the most enigmatic human beings to ever exist. Powerful men like Julius Caesar shaped the life and times of the late Roman Republic, just before Rome would officially become the Roman Empire on the crowning of Augustus as the first Roman emperor. Julius Caesar was a powerful general who expanded Rome's power and who was beloved by the people for his generous charity after his successful conquests. Despite knowing the story of Julius Caesar to some extent, most 16th/17th century English would not have ever visited Rome, nor would know what the Roman Republic was like, which presented a unique opportunity to William Shakespeare to create a play unlike any other he had created before. (Shakespeare Julius Caesar, 1599) Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a reimagining of Rome from a Elizabethan point of view, and despite some inaccuracies, the play depicts an enlightening view on Roman life, and the life of the Roman general, Julius Caesar.

Historically, the action of Antony and Cleopatra takes place over a ten-year span, whereas in the play the story is compressed to fit the needs of the stage. Antony is clearly much older than he was in Julius Caesar, and his political instincts

Emperor Augustus was the most influential emperor in the history of the Roman Empire. He was also the first emperor of the Roman Empire. His real name was Octavian, but he was given the name Augustus when he took over as emperor. From early on in his life, he was an established leader. He began wearing a toga at just age sixteen, which is the Roman sign of manhood. He began to take on the responsibilities associated with his family’s connections. His uncle was Julius Caesar, who was leader of Rome before he became emperor. Octavian fought along his uncle in battle. From early on in his life, Octavian had the qualities of an impressive leader, and he showed these qualities later in his life.

He uses logos and pathos in remarks, such as when he asks the audience that if they loved Caesar once, for good reason, why they are not mourning them now. Just like Brutus, Antony is now trying to guilt trip the audience, through another point of view. He adds that Brutus’s claims that Caesar was ambitious were untrue, using logical examples such as his refusal of the crown, that he was not. All while disproving Brutus’s ideas, he mocks him as well by sarcastically adding to his statements that, “but of course this could not be true, be cause Brutus said it wasn’t, and he was an honorable man…” in order to lessen his credibility in the eyes of the audience. He also praises Caesar throughout with testimonies like “he was my friend, faithful and just to me…” and says that men (indirectly pointed towards Brutus) have become brutish beasts, a metaphor that is meant to make the audience agree because they likely don’t consider themselves

Antony is also a good friend of Caesar, but unlike Brutus, is not a conspirator and cares for Caesar more than Brutus. When he gives his speech, he is trying to provoke hatred and fury from the audience to get supporters to hunt down and kill the conspirators. His speech is also brimming with fallacies and literary devices, but he uses facts to persuade the audience that Caesar was the ruler they all loved and when he was killed they did not do anything for him. Antony’s speech persuades the fickle crowd to switch sides again and support Antony. He expects this reaction too because he is prepared to take action immediately. He also feels that he will avenge Caesar and that he has done

What makes someone honorable or corrupt? Honor is doing something for moral excellence. Being dishonorable or corrupt is flaunting one’s own abilities for completing a deed. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, multiple people can qualify as honorable or dishonorable; it just depends on the way you see a situation. As a result, I consider Titinus to be the most honorable and Octavius to be the worst character or the most corrupt.

Similarily, Mark Antonty’s conflicting perspective is driven by bias and self-interest, more than anything else. Antony’s private and public nature shows a conflicting perspective. Towards the beginning of the play, Antony is depicted as passionate, loyal, loving and noble. This is shown in Act 1 scene two, when Antony refers to Caesar as “my lord”. This shows his loyal to Caesar. “I shall remember: When Caesar says ‘Do this’, it is performed.” This quote defines Antony’s loyalty for his friend Caesar. While speaking with Antony, Caesar speaks of his fear of Cassius. Antony shows his loving nature of Caesar to show comfort and support. “Fear him not, Caesar, he’s not dangerous, He is a noble Roman and well given.” The dramatic irony is uncovered throughout the play as Cassius is plotting to kill Caesar. The epithet of “noble Roman” becomes irony as Cassius’ plot is exposed and his “nobleness” is lost. The extensive use of emotive language throughout Antony’s funeral orotaion displays his caring nature and depicts a noble man. However, the anaphora of the irony of “Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man…” juxtaposed, again with his loving nature, with “my heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” shows the

Throughout the play Julius Caesar Antony, Caesar’s loyal servant, has become a bigger and bigger factor in the play. He really breaks out in Act III. In Act III, Brutus and others have killed Caesar, but yet leaves Antony unharmed because he seems harmless. Antony wants to show the public Caesar’s body and say a funeral speech. Brutus, trusting Antony, allows him to do so, but under some certain terms. Antony must speak good of the conspirators and not blame them. Antony uses logos and ethos, irony, and finally establishes ethos to turn the crowd away from Brutus.

In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the author frequently uses figurative language to persuade the people of Rome to listen to a certain character. For example my character, Antony, has many places in the play where he uses the techniques; ethos, pathos and logos to persuade or draw the audience to his side. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!” This is one of the most commonly known use of ethos in the funeral speeches. He uses this phrase to try to get into the Roman crowd’s hearts with his reputation as a trustworthy person. Antony uses pathos in his first speech saying that “He was my friend, faithful and just to me.” He shows that Caesar was a man who is trustworthy and was wrongfully killed. Logos is used to persuade someone. Antony uses a lot of facts throughout his funeral speech. One of them

Shakespeare effectively uses metaphors to reveal Antony’s true feelings about this tragic event. After showing the people of Rome Caesar's, body he pauses and states, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” ( lll.ii.30-35). This metaphor shows the deep emotion that Antony is feeling. Since, Antony was a very close friend to Caesar, his murder presents sorrowful time for him. Another metaphor used during the speech is “But yesterday the word of Caesar might have stood against the world; now lies he there.” (lll.ii. 48-57.) This quote shows that Caesar was a powerful person. His words inspired people; now he can no longer do this due to the selfishness of Brutus.

Rome is a city of stone, but when I leave it will be a city of marble!!!

What comes to mind when one thinks of “Romans”? Power, dominion, or even greatness could describe these noble people. The Romans were arguably one of the most powerful civilizations in history, so how could a people of such greatness come to such ruin? Power is a dangerous privilege for any worldly nation to possess, and when mixed with a scandalous concoction of greed and corruption, could spell the end of an entire civilization. Julius Caesar showcases Shakespeare’s own interpretation concerning the demise of Rome’s most famous leader. This play spotlights various examples of imagery to help the audience understand the author’s interpretation of this historical tragedy. Imagery is a kind of figurative language used to help the reader

Before the audience meets Antony, Shakespeare presents us with two soldiers discussing Antony’s current debauched life. This is dramatically effective staging because they are acting