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Mark Antony's Funeral Speechmark Antony S Funeral Mark Antony's Funeral Speechmark Antony S Funeral Speech Mark Antony s Funeral Speech In Shakespeare s, Julius Caesar, Brutus leads a team of men to conspire and kill the ruler of Rome, Julius Caesar. Mark Antony, a loyal friend to Caesar, is given the opportunity to speak at Caesars funeral as long as he abides by Brutus rules of not blaming him and the other conspirators, to speak only good of Caesar, and to speak in the same pulpit where Brutus went with his speech... Confronted by a crowd supporting the Conspirators goal, Mark Antony uses such strategies as contrasting factual experiences with opinionated statements, stressing keyword repetition, and utilizing theatrical gestures to sway the crowd to revolt against the traitors. Antony presents his views of Caesar as facts while he presents Brutus views of Caesar as mere opinion. It is irrelevant if Antony speaks the truth or not, all that matters is if the peasants believe that what they hear is the truth. Antony speaks of his friend who was faithful and just to him.
It may or may not be true but possibly someone that was friendly should not have been assassinated, in the crowds perspective. Being faithful and just is as positive trait so the public must wonder why the conspirators were so against Caesar. Another supposed truth Antony uses to glorify Caesars name is by the way he treated prisoners of war. According to Antony he (Caesar) hath brought many captive home whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Caesar was not even selfish, after all he gave the ransom money to the poor townspeople. This is yet another positive characteristic of Caesar which the peasants believe to be the truth because of Antony s presentation.
In addition to giving money to the poor Caesar hath wept for the poor. By way of Antony s words the peasants believe that not only did Caesar care about their financial situation but he also cared personally for them. When his people cry he cries. One must think if Caesar was really that bad. In addition to, when he (Caesar) did thrice refuse a kingly crown the citizens of Rome must ponder whether or not Caesar was really the dictator that they thought he was.
One of the results of Antony s speech is convincing the peasants, by means of presenting truthful statements, to question whether or not Caesar should have been killed. Antony presents all of his arguments as it is the truth, he speaks in a factual context, but, when referring to those words of Brutus he emphasizes the opinions of Caesar which fueled his assassination. Antony uses such words as Brutus says, Brutus said, and Brutus told you to show that Brutus speaks what he believes but not necessarily the truth. Brutus mind is clouded by opinion and false information.
After all truth is more believable to the opinion Brutus speaks of. Antony even has a respective quality when he says, I speak not to disprove what Brutus told you. No he does not outright say that Brutus is wrong but, he does give the peasants the pieces of the puzzle and the jump to get started to figure out the underlying message of the flaws in Brutus. Truth is favored over opinion thus, a truthful man is favored over an opinionated man and by the use of his presentation he places himself in the high regard of the people that Brutus once had. Antony repeats key words throughout his speech which, in context, reverse their intended meanings. The word honorable is first used to compliment Brutus but in turn is used to ruin him.
And to make his intentions clear and to erase any confusion, Antony tells the crowd, Brutus is an honorable man. This first use of the word honorable gets the attention of the people and to make himself even seem honorable by praising his opponent. Again he states, Brutus is honorable, this time with less enthusiasm for the purpose of killing the idea that Brutus is actually honorable. Finally, Antony sarcastically states and sure he (Brutus) is an honorable man. At first the crowd cheered about the honorable Brutus but by now the sarcasm has reversed the meaning of the word to mock Brutus.
That which was used to put Brutus on a pedestal has now come back to haunt him in the deepest of trenches. Yet another word used repetitively throughout Antony s speech is the word ambition. It was originally intended by Brutus to attack Caesar, but in turn becomes a way to enhance his name and reputation. Antony juxtaposes the word ambition with the words grievous fault. Antony s intent is to say that is Caesar was ambitious so be it because he was such a loyal, faithful, and just man that it cancels out a single negative trait. After all everyone has at least one negative trait.
Antony also juxtaposes a positive description of Caesars actions with the word ambitious so that a negative thought transforms into a positive trait. The rhetorical device of repetition creates a diminishing effect of the intended purpose of Caesar being ambitious. Antony is successful in turning the crowd against Brutus and to favor himself and Caesar. One citizen even responds to Antony by claiming, we ll burn the house of Brutus.
Another citizen even responds, most noble Caesar, we ll revenge his death. The Roman citizens hitherto, rallying to revenge Caesars death were in fact celebrating that very death. The tables have turned to favor Antony and all with one speech did he turn the entire crowd against Brutus and the Conspirators. Antony is truly a master of manipulation.
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Research essay sample on Brutus Is An Honorable Man Julius Caesar
