Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of prominent politicians led by Marcus Brutus. The sudden death of Caesar created a power vacuum which gave rise of a two factions, one headed by Brutus and Cassius and the other by Antony and the future triumvirs. Shortly after Caesar’s death, Antony spoke at his funeral and used the opportunity to lead the Roman people away from Brutus and back to believing in Caesar and consequently, the Second Triumvirate. By combining a subtle use
across the Tiber River and had to save an exhausted Caesar from drowning. Next, Cassius recounts a memory from their time in Spain, where Caesar fell ill and required physical assistance with simple tasks, like drinking. Cassius argues that he and Brutus are no different than the “god-like” Caesar. “Ye gods, it doth amaze me, A man of such feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world, and bear the palm alone.” ***Scene from movie plays* Cassius expresses his disbelief and anger that
Julius Caesar is a play deeply concerned with the idea of rhetoric, or persuasion. The play is driven by persuasion. Cassius convinces Brutus that Caesar must die, setting the story in motion. The resolution of the plot is decided by Antony's speech to the plebeians. Shakespeare sees rhetoric as one of the most powerful forces in the world; able to topple kings and crown them. The play, Julius Caesar, examines what gives rhetoric its power by putting Brutus's speech against Mark Antony's. Shakespeare
these events will not happen again. The main theme of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare is to always have humility as shown by, Antony’s forgiveness, Caesar’s evasive brashness and Brutus’ and Cassius’ foolishness. Antony was an altruistic character throughout the tragedy. For instance, when Lucilius pretended to be Brutus to sacrifice himself, Antony responded by softly demanding, “Keep this man safe, give him all kindness. I had rather have such men my friends than enemies” (V.iv. 37-39). This is
person who defeated his sons. This is not the only time the people switch who they support. Similarly, after Caesar’s death, Brutus convinces the crowd that Caesar was an ambitious man who would make them all slaves. One plebeian calls out that “Caesar is a tyrant” (3.3. 68). The commoners feel that they have avoided being oppressed. Right after the plebes listen to Brutus, Antony persuades the crowd that Caesar was a caring man who loved Romans. Suddenly, one man says “If thou consider rightly of
As Brutus thrusts his knife into Caesar’s already bloodied belly, Caesar says one last thing. “Et tu Brute? Then fall Caesar,” says Caesar with his dying breath (938). Once Brutus and Marc Antony share their voluminous speeches, you begin to think about the character of Caesar and realize he is a sympathetic and honorable character. Power corrupts everyone, even the strong who feel they are disregarded from this powerful lesson. Brutus and Cassius were also corrupted
nature. Brutus and Cassius’s similar actions influence their characters in different ways. Caesar’s arrogant character results from his political victories, while Antony and Octavius’s characters gain them political strength. By showing us the motivations behind each protagonist’s involvement in the conspiracy against Caesar, Shakespeare demonstrates how politics and character always affect one another. The most significant relationship between politics and character is evident in Brutus, the play’s
mimicked by Mark Antony in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Mark Antony’s extensive knowledge of rhetorical strategies, such as appeal to the emotions of the commoners, knowledge of topic and reputation, and syntactical devices eclipse Brutus’ reasoning for killing Julius Caesar and wins over the Roman commoners. Mark Antony’s use of emotional appeal is one of his strongest uses of rhetoric. First, he puts himself on the same level as the commoners and then begins to attack the sentiments
persuade them that the conspirators are in the wrong: “In every wound of Caesar that should move the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny” (131). From this moment every action that Antony does will in turn affect the stability of Brutus’ physical and mental well being. Also, Brutus does not realize how close Caesar and Antony are, which can only lead to his demise because Antony is trying to kill him and he does not realize it. During Antony’s speech, to persuade the common people, he walks over to Caesar’s
is present. A courageous character that has a tragic flaw, which leads to his downfall. Brutus is indeed the tragic hero of this play because when a person who possesses such heroic qualities dies, it is a true tragedy. A tragic hero has to start with everything and then end with near to nothing. This character often begins well liked and then starts to become less popular. At the beginning of the play, Brutus is a much different man than he turns out to be. He does not want to take part in the conspiracy