Mark Anthony and Brutus in the Aftermath of Caesar's Death

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Mark Anthony and Brutus in the Aftermath of Caesar's Death

In the immediate aftermath of Caesar's death, Mark Anthony sends a

servant to Brutus with a message asking for

'vouchsafe that Anthony

May safely come to him'

without being killed. This shows that Mark Anthony believes that

Brutus is noble and will keep his word and Mark Anthony trusts it.

Brutus, naively, is quick to accept Mark Anthony as a friend saying,

'I know that we shall have him well to friend'

indicating his lack of judgement because he feels that Mark Anthony

will understand the reasons behind Caesar's murder. Brutus believes

that Mark Anthony's love and loyalty for Caesar is outstripped by his

love for Rome. Mark Anthony tries to convey this feeling when he

praises Brutus by building up his trust and support. The audience know

that Mark Anthony is not genuine in his support towards Brutus when he

praises Caesar showing that he is still loyal to Caesar hinting at his

mixed intentions.

'Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;

Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving'.

This false trust is built up with the tone and the words used,

praising the conspirators, calling them 'gentlemen' and 'noble'.

When Mark Anthony enters, Brutus welcomes him but Mark Anthony does

not respond because he runs to Caesar's corpse. This should have been

an obvious indication to Brutus that Mark Anthony would never be fully

faithful to Brutus' cause.

[Brutus] 'But here comes Anthony. Welcome, Mark Anthony!

[Anthony] O mighty Caesar! Dost though lie so low?'

However, Mark Anthony is also clever, biding his time bye being

friendly towards the conspirators:

'Let each man render me his bloody hand.

First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;

Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;'

Brutus is also naïve in that he lets Mark Anthony speak at Caesar's

funeral in the pulpit:

[Mark Anthony] 'That I may

Produce his body to the marketplace

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,

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