Mark Antony is a loyal man who cares deeply for Julius Caesar, a man he views as a true friend. As the play progresses, Antony transitions from being a follower to becoming a ruthless leader. His transition into a leader is not without negative effects, causing him to act with arrogance. Mark Antony is extremely loyal to his friend and leader, Caesar. After Antony discovers Caesar’s dead body, he urges the conspirators to take his life as well, proclaiming he “shall not find [himself] so apt to die” (160). Caesar’s death causes great distress for Antony, and his desire to die alongside Caesar demonstrates his loyalty and the value he gave to his friend. He also curses the conspirators lives, and wishes to “let slip the dogs of war” (273). Proposing war is a very drastic action, and choosing to defend his friend’s name at the cost of a war demonstrates his utmost loyalty to Caesar. Antony’s loyalty was not a result of his position under Caesar, but a result of their strong friendship. While delivering a speech to Rome following the death …show more content…
Mark Antony follows Caesar’s word religiously, and states that “when Caesar says, ‘do this’, it is perform’d” (10). Having this mindset shows Antony begins as a convergent thinker, listening and following Caesar without much individual thought at all. While Antony’s actions are mostly fueled by his loyalty, other characters believe he is simply not capable of thinking for himself. As the conspirators are plotting Caesar’s murder, Cassius suggests killing Antony as well, because of his close relationship with Caesar. Brutus immediately rejects this idea, and explains to the conspirators they don’t need to kill Mark Antony because he is “but a limb of Caesar” (165). They believe that when Caesar is murdered, Antony will not be capable taking any significant action-- he will simply disappear into the citizens of
The book Julius Caesar is full of happiness, conspiracy, power, and betrayal. The people of Rome deeply loved julius Caesar and wished to make him their king. A group of senators however were not so fond of this idea and formed a conspiracy. The leader of this group was a man by the name of Cassius. In order to make sure that his scheme of killing Caesar would work and would look honorable he had to convince a senator by the name of Brutus to help. After being convinced that they had to kill Caesar to protect Rome from a tyrant Brutus joined the conspiracy and soon became the principal conspirator.On the day in which Caesar was to be crowned king he was on the way to the senate when he was stabbed by all the conspirators panic ensued and to convince Rome of their honorable intentions Brutus gave a funeral speech. Mark Antony, a very close friend of Caesar, gave his speech after Brutus had given his. Mark Antony’s speech is more persuasive to the Roman people because of his outstanding use of pathos, sarcasm, and logos.
In Julius Caesar, Cassius lead a group of conspirators, including Brutus, Caesar’s loyal friend, to kill Julius Caesar. Brutus, who was too trusting of those around him, had been convinced to help kill Caesar on the grounds that it was what would be the best for the Roman people, without knowing of the greed which motivated Cassius. Despite his good intentions, Brutus was disloyal to Caesar, and he paid the price. After Caesar’s death, Brutus and Cassius are driven out of the city by the mob rule that ensues. The people of Rome have plans to avenge Caesar’s death, shouting “Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live!” (3.2.197-198). Meanwhile, the loyal Mark Antony is preparing an army. Antony was responsible for turning the people against Brutus after Caesar’s death, and now had plans to fight Brutus using his own forces. While the Roman mob promises to kill Brutus, they pledge to Mark Antony, “We’ll hear him. We’ll follow him. We’ll die with him” (3.2.201). Though the Romans are rash and easily swayed, it is clear that loyalty is extremely important...
Through the whole of his spectacular speech, Mark Antony influences the crowd using his distinct diction. He is able to inculcate a fired up anti-Caesar mass of people, and he makes the populace believe that Julius Caesar’s death was a true tragedy. Antony gracefully applies his proficiency with ‘logos’ and ‘pathos’ to his speech and is able to adroitly gain followers. His strong reasoning and explanations allow the Romans to buy what he has to say. Antony’s ability to speak in a roundabout way is a key constituent of his speech. Withal, he is extremely humble and the way he plays down his prowess is impressive. Mark Antony puts all the parts of his remarkable rhetoric together, and the result is a speech for the ages.
Antony and Brutus are both loyal, noble men and their loyalties shape their characters, drives their actions, and decides the very future of Rome. Brutus loves Caesar, but he loves Rome more. Antony has no need to choose between his country and best friend. Before Caesar's death both men are guarded and somewhat a secret to the reader. After Caesar's murder, however, their true personalities emerge. Antony and Brutus may seem the same, and that was they are in theory, from their positions, character traits, to the very friend's they keep they are alike almost to a point of absurdity. In practice, though, you will find them rather different due to the mistakes and decisions made by both parties.
Brutus is primarily motivated by his utilitarian ideals, causing him to have a weak, uncertain approach relative to Antony. Antony’s counter-conspiracy is driven by his emotional attachment to Caesar and desire to avenge him, giving him a powerful, instinctual base to operate from. As Brutus is considering an assassination of Caesar, he states, “It must be by his death; and for my part,/ I know no personal cause to spurn at him,/ But for the general” (Shakespeare II.i.10-12). By considering the absence of personal incentives for the planned attack on Caesar, Brutus reveals fickleness in his motives by giving himself a second option. He is inspired to participate in the conspiracy by his utilitarian ideals, while concurrently, he doubts himself by considering his lack of personal conflict with Caesar. This weakness is further exposed following the planning of Caesar’s as...
Julius Caesar’s ambition caused his death. Showing his negatives, Caesar was an ambitious power-hungary ruler. Waiting for the people to fall for what he believed in by his manipulative actions, caused other honorable men to see that he was not the best for Rome. The honorable Brutus loved Caesar and thought very highly of him, but his love for Rome motivated him to act accordingly. As for Mark Antony, he had the same love that Brutus had for Caesar. Not only did he have the love, but he also believed that Caesar was not an ambitious person and that he showed his people in many ways how he was not ambitious. Antony did not believe that Caesar deserved to die and that it was a substantial mistake.
In Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Caesar’s closest friend, is gravely underestimated. Other characters, such as Brutus, failed to understand him and didn’t seem to take him seriously. They also assumed that he would take part in the conspiracy against Caesar. They truly belittled him. Loyal and admirable, Marc Antony demonstrated a strong sense of justice to take revenge against the conspirators of Caesar’s assassination.
Granted that during the speech, Antony presents, results in controversy between the crowd and conspirators, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Brutus says he was ambitious us, And Brutus is an honorable man” (3, 2, 90-93).. Antony states that Caesar is not ambitious. While the poor cried Caesar is mourning with them, this the false interpretation of an ambitious man. Brutus does not presume that Antony will be dangerous to the conspirators. Due to the fact, Antony follows the Roman code according to Brutus. However, Antony does not follow the Roman law because Antony yearns to avenge Caesar. Antony is targeting Brutus while also calling him honorable. By doing this, the crowd is starting to despise the conspiracy and their views towards Caesar. Antony uses his cunning tactics to convince the crowd that he does not want to harm the conspirators. However, in reality, the desire is to avenge Caesar, it makes Antony seem identical to a noble man. Antony rather chooses to wrong the dead than wrong, such honorable men. Antony appeals to the emotions of the crowd to influence their perceptions of the assassination and further manipulates the crowd through repetition, psychology, and rhetorical questions, “I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong—Who, you all know, are honorable
In the play Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, there are a variation of unique characters and individuals. Each character possesses individual behaviors, intelligence, and actions. One of the most intriguing characters in the play is Mark Antony, often referred to as just Antony. As the play progresses, it shows Mark Antony’s loyalty to Julius Caesar, resourcefulness and other intriguing abilities. Mark Antony is an ambitious and loyal follower, who changes his ways and actions to become a manipulating man, looking for justice in a broken city known as Rome.
First, Mark Antony has been loyal to Caesar since the beginning of the play; in addition, he is a decent speaker that can persuade individuals to follow him at Caesar’s funeral. At the end of the funeral, numerous Romans take Antony’s concept of revenging the conspirators for their wrong-doing. The Plebeians say, “We’ll burn the house of Brutus/ Away then. Come, seek the conspirators” (3.2.245-246). It suggests the powerful effects of Antony’s speech which make the Plebeians seek revenge, versus Brutus’s speech about how Caesar deserves to die because of his ambition. Although it is true that Antony can easily
Brutus talks to Antony about Caesar's death and about being a conspirator, saying, "Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of Rome..." (3.1.185-186). Brutus says that Antony cannot see the conspirators’ hearts, which are full of pity. This shows that Brutus loved and looked up to Caesar, but cared for Rome and its people more, which was the only cause that made him join the conspirators. Brutus has no personal connection to him that would make him abandon Caesar, and it shows that even those he loves and cares for the most cannot stand higher than the loyalty he has for Rome. Brutus shows his loyalty when comparing it with death, saying, “If it aught toward the general good, Set honor in one eye and death i’th’ other…as I love the name of honor more than I fear death”(1.2.85,86,89). Brutus would be willing to do anything for Rome and would be will to give his life for the “general good.” Brutus’s patriotism covers all aspects of society. When Brutus discusses killing Caesar with the other conspirators, he says “[Caesar’s] death is a benefit” and that they should go one the streets, shouting, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!" (3.1.103,110). Brutus wants to celebrate all of Rome’s triumphs; he is proud and loyal to his country. Brutus allows Rome to be the most important factor in his life and decisions, which demonstrates his immense
Mark Antony is motivated both by personal ambition and love for Caesar. Mark Antony wants the Roman People to listen to him, he wants to be more powerful, and he wants to avenge Caesar’s death. He wants the crowds to do his bidding and after his speech starts a civil war in Rome. He wants more power, and to control more of the Roman Empire by getting rid of Lepidus. Mark Antony wants Caesar’s Death to be avenged and the conspirators dead. If Caesar wouldn’t have died then would Mark Antony eventually betray him and kill him for power? Mans worst enemy is himself. Mark Antony went thirsty for power and his anger over the death of a great leader lead him to start a civil war in Rome.
Brutus repeatedly says, “If any, speak, for him have I offended,” (III.ii.25). Brutus’ tactic is to try to force someone, or dare them, to disagree with him, which no one ends up doing. Brutus tries to make people fear him, which works for a brief period of time. Mark Antony, on the other hand, goes on the attack, rather than the defense, by repeatedly saying, “Yet Brutus said he was ambitious; And… he is an honourable man.” (III.ii.89-90). By going on the offensive side, Mark Antony uses the repetition of this extreme usage of irony and sarcasm to make the audience understand that all of this is Brutus’ fault and that he should be punished for his crimes, no matter his intentions. Both groups use similar rhetorical strategies to prove that Caesar should or should not be dead for what he has done, with differing results. Brutus and Mark Antony also use emotional appeals to persuade their audience that they are correct in the matter of the death of their esteemed
Mark Antony’s loyalty to Julius Caesar was one of the most loyal bonds history can account for. He had changed his political preference to accommodate for Julius Caesar’s friendship. He put his life on the line on multiple occasions to prove his loyalty to Caesar. Even though Julius Caesar’s party sought his demise Mark Antony stayed true to Caesar. After the death of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony proved his love for Caesar by giving a eulogy at his funeral. During the eulogy,which Brutus gave permission to Antony to give, Antony cleverly made Julius Caesar look good as he sarcastically destroys the reputations of the conspirators ”He was my friend,and just to me. But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man.”(lll.ii.84-86) Antony also hunted down some of the conspirators that led to the death of his lord.
Mark Antony’s character at the beginning of the play, is that of a great, powerful, triumvir whose heart has been entrapped by Cleopatra’s enchanting personality. The audience hears many good things about Antony’s character, which is shown through his great past, “It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh which some did die look on,” which informs us that he was a great warrior which evoke feelings of respect towards him.