Analysis of Antony in Julius Caesar
Analysis of Antony in Julius Caesar
In the play Julius Caesar there is a group of men who want to overthrow Caesar because they oppose his leadership and they feel that it would benefit Rome to kill him. Included in this group is a man named Brutus. Brutus is a very honorable man, but even so he still takes part in the conspirators’ plan. However, he only seeks to kill Caesar for the good of Rome. After the killing of Caesar takes place, Antony, Caesar’s close advisor, confronts the conspirators. He cordially shakes their hand, which they think is a symbol of agreement between the conspirators and Antony. However Antony shakes their hand as a sign that he will take revenge for what they did. Antony tells Brutus that he wants to speak in Caesar’s funeral, and after Brutus has a discussion with Cassius, he gives permission for Antony to speak during the funeral. Both Brutus and Antony speak in the funeral in hopes of persuading the people to agree with their reasoning on Caesar’s murder. Even though both characters’ speeches have an effect on the citizens, Antony’s speech appeals to the people’s emotions and persuades them against the conspirators.
The first person to speak in the funeral is Brutus. He tries to explain to the people that killing Caesar is only going to help the people of Rome. He tries to appeal to the citizens’ reason and national pride. He explains his reasons and is straightforward. For example in his speech he says, “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer- not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” Brutus clearly states to the citizen’s that he killed Caesar for the good of Rome. Brutus is indeed persuasive, but not as persuasive as Antony. When Antony speaks to the people of Rome, he tries to appeal to their emotions. His speech is more powerful than Brutus’s because he appeals to their emotions and not to their reason. This is seen in his speech when he says, “If you have tears prepare to shed them now.” From his use of words, he is able to alter the citizens’ opinion. Both of the characters had an effect on the people.
Antony expresses his personal beliefs while speaking, which greatly influences the citizens. Brutus was able to...