Julius Caesar, a prominent and influential figure in Roman history, had a resolute personality and authoritative demeanor. In 44 BCE, he was chosen as Dictator perpetuo (often inaccurately translated as dictator for life). Worried about Caesar's increasing power, a group of Roman senators, including his close friend Brutus, assassinated him while he was defenseless and exposed, following tradition.
After the assassination, Brutus manages to persuade the Roman citizens that Caesar was wicked and excessively ambitious. This puts Marc Antony, who was a close friend of Caesar, in a difficult position as he has to counteract Brutus's arguments effectively. It is quite challenging to convince his fellow Romans to switch their allegiance, which is why Antony needs to employ reverse psychology and irony. By doing so, Antony is able to deliver a eulogy that plants the notion of
...a more honorable Caesar in the minds of the Roman people. This subtly cultivates the seeds of rebellion within the populace.
When individuals in positions of power, like politicians, speakers, and intellectuals, try to gain public support, it can be challenging. Antony is aware of this difficulty and addresses it cleverly in his speeches. He acknowledges his own lack of oratory skills compared to Brutus, which implies modesty while contrasting it with the deceitfulness of Brutus's actions and words. Through this tactic, Antony presents himself positively and establishes authority by ensuring that everything he says is truthful.
The author utilizes irony in order to convey his message. He consistently refers to Brutus and the other conspirators as "honorable men" throughout his speech. This repetition has the effect of subtly criticizing and undermining Brutus
and the other conspirators, thereby diminishing the credibility of Brutus's speech and the conspirators as a whole. Once he has captured the crowd's attention, Marc Antony proceeds to challenge the notion that Caesar was ambitious.
Antony claims that Caesar always brought back war spoils for the benefit of the people by depositing the "ransoms" into the general coffers, displaying his innate generosity and selflessness. He asks the crowd to question Brutus's primary argument about Caesar's ambition by saying, "Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?". Continuing his argument, Antony portrays Caesar as a kind-hearted person who would have shed tears when the poor cried.
Once again, Antony employs rhetoric in order to strengthen his argument. He implies that Caesar's compassion is not driven by ambition, and states that such ambition should be stronger. This suggests that Caesar's compassion motivated him to take care of the Roman citizens through different actions. In conclusion, Antony supports his case about Caesar's alleged ambition with a personal anecdote. He recounts how he and others offered Caesar a crown three times, but Caesar refused it each time.
The statement delivered deals a significant blow to Caesar’s supposed "ambition," as in reality he was a humble person with no intention of seizing power without the consent of the people. Antony concludes the argument by asking if this can truly be called ambition, and points out that Brutus had claimed Caesar was ambitious, essentially disproving Brutus's claim and revealing his own dishonesty. However, Antony's convincing words alone are not enough to sway the clearly dissatisfied crowd. His emotional and dramatic displays effectively overcome these challenges, showcasing his rhetorical skills.
justify">Antony's initial dramatic accomplishment occurs when he proclaims that his "heart is in the coffin there with Caesar" and sheds tears. This serves as a way to both incite and utilize the crowd's empathy, as well as a method for Antony to express his own emotions. By creating this emotional bond, everything said by Brutus beforehand appears even more forced and artificial. The sight of their deceased leader, Caesar, along with Antony's demonstration of emotional distress compels the crowd to decide whether to support or oppose him.
Antony convinces the crowd that his goals and motives are more meaningful and justified than Brutus's, ultimately gaining their support. He accomplishes this by displaying strong emotions, making it appear that he is personally affected by the events. On the other hand, Brutus approaches the assassination and his betrayal of Caesar with a detached attitude. Antony's ability to empathize with the crowd, in contrast to Brutus's casual and distant demeanor, leads the Roman citizens to believe in him and favor him.
Later, Antony reveals a scroll from his garment, claiming it to be Caesar's will. He quickly hides it, stating that the crowd can only see it after they truly understand "how Caesar loved" them. The crowd becomes desperate and pleads to know the contents of Caesar's will. Eventually, Antony decides that it is the appropriate moment and points at Caesar's cloak. He begins to reflect on the first time Caesar wore it, describing it as a "summer's evening." This evokes imagery of Caesar adorned with sunlight, radiating power and influence.
The audience absorbs these vibrant portrayals of nobility, which prompts them to feel a
deep sense of empathy for the downfall of their esteemed leader. With the crowd already dissatisfied by the shocking revelations that have just been disclosed, Antony seizes this moment to disclose Caesar's will. He unveils that Caesar has left seventy-five drachmas and his personal gardens to each Roman citizen. This act of generousity by Caesar endears the crowd to him even more and stirs their desire for revenge. It brings them closer to the deceased leader and marks the final steps towards a full-fledged rebellion.
Marc Antony is a strong character who exemplifies his strength through his speech. Through various techniques, he manages to overcome the impossible odds set by Brutus’s convincing portrayal of Caesar. While both Antony and Brutus are good speakers, Antony clearly has the upper hand in experience, charisma, and talent, which Brutus lacks. This establishes the tone of the scene, where Antony, not Brutus, gains the support of the majority of the Roman populace.
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