Mark Antony's funeral speechMark 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. Anot
her 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 opini
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Approximate Word count = 980
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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