Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Compare and contrast Julius Ceasar essay

Good Essays
582 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare and contrast Julius Ceasar essay
Compare and Contrast Julius Caesar Essay

The leader of Rome is dead, and two men have completely different opinions as to what has happened to him. Brutus, his right hand man, says that he had to be killed due to his excessive ambition. While Antony states that he was brutally murdered by the people who called themselves his friends. But only one of the two stood out, they were so believable and convincing that it was hard to believe anyone other than him. And this speech was given by Antony. He gave an incredibly convincing speech, making the people of Rome completely look past the words of Brutus by sparking different emotions in them. But at the same time he was very careful and precise with his words which helped to protect him from the conspirators who murdered Caesar. First off, Antony was a genius in how he presented his speech to the populous with how he sparked so many different emotions in them. In the beginning of his speech Antony sparks impatience in the Roman people by making them want to hear what Caesar has left them in his will. And when he finally tells them what he included in it, he made them feel melancholy towards their deceased leader who was described by Antony as a noble and respectable man who cared only for the people and the country that he was about to rule over. But very quickly after that, the audience of Antony’s became enraged towards the men who had called themselves his friends and killed Caesar. They wanted to murder them all and avenge their beloved leader. Antony told them not to be angry, but he clearly did this on purpose because he too wanted to avenge Caesar’s death. He very skillfully manipulated these people’s feelings and made them vengeful as he wanted them to be. Antony not only played with the emotions of his audience like they were children’s toys, but he did so in an ingenious way which helped to keep the conspirators from suspecting him in doing something to go against them. He made the people of Rome sort of fall in love with him in a way. So that if the conspirators decided that they needed to rid of him because he was plotting against them, they wouldn’t be able to because that would seal their fates in that the populous of Rome would kill them. He showed the people of Rome just how much he cared about Caesar and looked up to him, which made them pity Antony because they were able to just how much he lost when Caesar was murdered. So, to tie I all together, Antony clearly gave an extremely convincing speech that easily swayed the opinions of the people of Rome and convinced them that he was a truthful and honest man who only cared about the wellbeing of the people. He was extremely clever in that he played with their emotions and made them feel almost all of them, finally ending in making them angry towards the conspirators. But he was also clever in how he said all that he did because he ended up creating a shield of sorts for himself so that the conspirators wouldn’t be able to kill him without sealing their fates to the Roman people. Antony was clever and witty and convinced the Roman populous that he was an honest man and that Caesar was too.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Antony understood the audience very well and knew they would consider any other viewpoint on any topic. He realized that using his emotions would be the most beneficial way to persuade. He was able to use ethos by stating how Caesar was not too ambitious to have his life taken away from him (III,ii,94-99). Antony used pathos by having a visual, emotional impact on the people. He lifted up his cloak, showing the wounds, and telling where each conspirator had the power and the evil motivation to kill this worthy man…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    He illuminated their worries and played into to their weak minds. His gift of rhetorics is able to seduce every man in the city into killing the conspirators; and they do kill the conspirators. Antony states that they are all honorable Romans, and the Romans think Antony respects them. In reality he wants the conspirators dead, and uses the Romans to do so. As a leader in our society today Antony would be able to get rid of the untrustworthy leaders and keep order, law, and loyalty in our government. He would also be able to invoke a healthy sense of fear into the hearts on our citizens, fear that is not currently present.…

    • 418 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mark Antony deftly speaks to his audience in a way that requires them to challenge their preconceived characterizations of Brutus and Cassius. He intentionally expresses the deliberate opposite of what he genuinely wishes and excessively compliments the people to the point that they forget their own seemingly unwavering convictions. His finesse and dexterity in bending words and minds ultimately works to his favor. Antony accomplishes his initial goal to convince the Roman people to revenge Caesar’s demise. This achievement in and of itself exhibits…

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Antony proves to be a master of persuasion. He uses ethos in his speech to obtain trust by showing he is a man who respects all. “Friends, Romans, lend me your ears”(III.ii.73). He doesn't show good will or respect for Caesar as it’s apparent he has a sarcastic tone when he mocks him with the repetition of “honorable men” when he is talking about the conspirators, an example of verbal irony. He also uses logos to point out obvious reasons why Caesar wasn't actually ambitious. He said, “when the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept” (III.ii.91). “Brought captives to Rome/ransom did the general coffers fill” (III.ii.89). He uses Pathos to spark emotion and sorrow among the plebeians and have them revolt. “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” (III.ii.106). He asks two rhetorical questions after listing reasons why Caesar wasn’t ambitious. “Was this ambition?” (III.ii.97) and even tries to make the commoners feel guilty for doubting Caesar “What cause withholds you to then mourn for him” (III.ii.103).…

    • 369 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In what ways does the language and imagery of Antony’s speech demonstrate his manipulation of the crowd?…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Senators Swansong

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How can one man’s closest friend also be that man’s murderer? This is precisely what happens in Julius Caesar. Brutus kills his closest friend, Julius Caesar, and then he gives his justification for doing so in his speech at Julius Caesar’s own funeral. Although his speech was flawed, the crowd of people he spoke to were easily swayed, and they accepted Brutus’ justification. Unfortunately for Brutus, he allowed Mark Antony, another one of Caesar’s close friends to speak after him. His speech completely reversed the crowd’s opinion. Comparing Brutus and Antony’s funeral speeches is an important topic because it is a turning point in the conspirator’s attempts to sway the Roman people. The comparison shows how a few crucial errors on the conspirator’s part, along with a great speech by Antony, completely altered the outcome of the entire play. In comparing Brutus and Antony’s speeches, it becomes evident that Antony’s speech was much more effective than Brutus’ speech in four key areas: ethos, pathos, logos, and chronos.…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In his speech during Caesar's funeral, Mark Antony tries to persuade the Plebeians that what the conspirators did to Caesar was not acceptable and something must be done, and this creates a critical and disappointed tone. During the beginning of Antony’s speech, he established his main ideas, and showed that he was different from Brutus. In fact, his first line, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”(3.2.82) tells a lot. Antony uses the word “friends” first, and this differs from Brutus because he said “Romans” first. This shows what Antony thinks is most important, which is friendship.…

    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Everything that was said by Brutus was completely blown away by what Antony says even though he never said anything bad about Brutus. Brutus and Antony are both very good at ethos, pathos and logos, but with the length and persistence of Antony, he won the crowd. By the end of the speech the people of Rome wanted to kill everyone that was in the conspiracy including…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Towards the end of Antony’s speech he begins using pathos causing the crowd to feel sympathy for Caesars and his wrongful death. He mentions that for the audience to bear with him. His “heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” (Act…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The rhetorical device Antony took hold of throughout his persuasive argument is verbal irony. The use of verbal irony in his speech is so strong that it borders on sarcasm. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears/I come to bury Ceasar, not to praise him." (3.2.81-82) says Antony when introducing himself to the crowd. The use of verbal irony is exemplified in this quote with the use of “Friend” He addresses the plebeians as "Friends" with the purpose of persuading them into believing that they were equal, and that he just wanted to say farewell Caesar, even though there is a clear distinction between Antony and the Plebeians. As his speech develops, Antony begins to plant the seed of doubt and anger in the Plebeians’ hearts towards the conspirators. "The noble Brutus/ hath told you Caesar was ambitious,/If it were so, it was a grievous fault, /And grievously hath Caesar answered it,/ Here, under the leave of Brutus and the rest-/ For Brutus is an honorable man,/ So are they all are honorable men" (2.3.84-91) Antony starts off his speech agreeing to not demize the conspirators. However, it is clear to the reader that Antony does everything in his power to show they were not honorable men without saying they were dishonest.…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the funeral orations, Antony’s perspective of Caesar and his death are seated in direct conflict with Brutus’, as each tries to convince the mob that their own perspective is right. Although, unlike Brutus, Antony believes the murder to be cruel and unjust, he appeals to the crowd out of self-interest as he wishes to avenge Caesar’s death by inciting a civil war. In order to do so he…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Both speakers used an ethical appeal to the crowd and established their credibility first Brutus begins by saying he was Caesar's friend but because he was ambitious he had to kill him. Brutus also said “believe for my honor and have respect to mine…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first way Antony shows a good understanding of the commoners is by using different language. He uses irony and manipulation to win all of them over. Throughout his speech Antony manipulates the commoners by calling them "honorable men", but the crowd feels a sense of sarcasm each time he calls them that. Then he says, "You all did love him once, not without cause; / What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?" (913). This rhetorical question goes against Brutus by questioning his speech in which he so greatly demonized and demeaned Caesar. Now the crowd is starting to turn against the conspirators and follow Antony. After watching Brutus’ speech, Antony knows he is dealing with a very hostile crowd. He uses irony and manipulation to get the commoners into rising against the conspirators in rage and mutiny and avenging Caesars death: “O masters! If I were disposed to stir / Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, / I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong…” (914). When he says this, he lies. He makes the crowd think that he is noble for saying that he does not want to do Brutus and Cassius and all the other conspirators wrong. Antony is getting into the minds of the commoners by using the different language towards them.…

    • 778 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When Antony was speaking with the common folk, he addressed them as if he was one of them, which made them think that he was a simple man(III, ii, 72). When Antony was talking about the conspirators he acted like he was praising them but he was being sarcastic(III, ii, 81-82). He had to make it super obvious or else they wouldn’t have picked up on it. Antony shows that the conspirators were wrong to the people so he can get the people on his side and bring coas to Rome(III, ii, 95-98). For the final blow to deliver the argument home, he shows the people the spot where Brutus stabbed Julius(III, ii, 171-173). The Roman people were so dim witted that they believed that was were Brutus stabbed Caesar, but Antony wasn’t there and the crowd didn’t know it so they believed him.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mark Antony towards the end of his speech reads Caesar’s will, which definitely helps his case. “ Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal to every Roman citizen he gives- to every several man he gives- seventy-five drachmas.” (3.2.232-234). This shows the people that even though he is dead Caesar was a great leader who was going to do everything in his power to care for them. Mark Antony strongly defends the fact that Caesar wasn’t ambitious. “ I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious.” (3.2.95-97). This quote helped Antony to explain that if Caesar were truly ambitious then logically he would have taken the crown, not pushed it away. Brutus in his speech tries to reason with the people as to why he killed Caesar. “[...]As I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.” (3.2.41-44) In this quote Brutus is trying to convey the fact that his killing of one person was so that the rest of the city could be happy and that he would do that to himself if there was a need for it.…

    • 884 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays