Julius Caesar

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Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................................3

Similarities ............................................................................................................................3

Differences ............................................................................................................................4

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................4
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Outline

I. Introduction

A. Brutus’ characteristics

B. Anthony’s characteristics

C. Analyze their way of speaking

II. Similarities

A. Locution

B. Feeling

C. Power

III. Differences

A. Thoughts

B. Feelings

C. Emotions

IV. Conclusion

V. Importance of these similarities and differences

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Caitlyn Oak

Miss Kolnik

English 10

26 January 2011

Julius Caesar

Introduction

In the play Julius Caesar, numerous different characters are divided in their interests

of Caesar—those who favor him and those who wish him dead. Among these characters, Act

III, Scene II contains two important people and their influential speeches. Brutus, who was

Caesar’s “friend”, was part of the conspiracy that was against Caesar because he was afraid

of his ambition. Mark Antony, on the other hand, could be seen as Caesar’s true friend and

his plan against the conspirators is shown in Act III, Scene II. In the influential speeches

made by Brutus and Antony in Act III, Scene II of Julius Caesar, similarities in locution, student 1/28/11 1:54 PM
Comment: Italicize

feeling, and power is shown, along with differences in their thoughts and feelings.

Similarities

The first similar point seen in Brutus’ and Antony’s speeches is that they both refer to

the Romans as “countrymen”, “friends”, and “lovers” (lines 14 and 82). This shows their

respect to the Roman citizens. Another similarity is that Brutus says that he has honor and so

does Antony. “Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may

believe” (lines 15-16). Then, Antony, in line 91, repeatedly mentions Brutus and the

conspirators as “honorable” men; however, as the play proceeds, Antony’s ironic use of the

word can be seen. A third similarity is that Brutus’ and Antony’s speeches were both very student 1/28/11 1:54 PM
Comment: Add a transition

influential and easily changed the plebeians’ thoughts about the whole situation. Brutus wins

the plebeians’ favor and respect through his humble speech. This speech of Brutus makes the

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plebeians shout praise. “Live, Brutus, live, live! Bring him with triumph home unto his house.

Let him be Caesar” (lines 50-53). These lines show the flattering respect of the plebeians

toward Brutus. In the same way, Antony manages to sway the opinions of the common

people. “There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. Room for Antony, most noble

Antony” (lines 128 and 178). Not only does Antony earn the respect of the plebeians, but he

also turns them against Brutus and the conspirators. “revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! student 1/28/11 1:54 PM
Comment: Capitalization

Slay! Let not a traitor live” (lines 216-217)! Antony’s speech infuriates the Romans and

makes them determined to kill the conspirators. The final similarity is that Brutus and Antony

both claim their love for Caesar. In Brutus’ speech, he says, “…not that I loved Caesar less,

but that I loved Rome more” (lines 23-24). This is Brutus’ reason for killing Caesar and it

makes him look like such an “honorable” man to the Romans. Antony also mentions in his

speech that he loves Caesar and that he had been a good friend. “He was my friend, faithful

and just to me…” (line 94). Antony simply speaks as a grieving man who had just lost his

beloved friend.

Differences

As much as there are similarities, there are also differences. One of them is that

Brutus thinks that Caesar was ambitious while Mark Antony questions this and thinks the

opposite. “But, as he was ambitious, I slew him” (line 28). In Brutus’ speech, he mentions his

fear for Caesar’s ambition. He was afraid to believe that Caesar’s ambition would lead to his

being a tyrant. However, Antony opposes to this idea in his following speech. “When that the

poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says

he was ambitious, And sure he is an honorable man” (lines 100-103). Antony rhetorically

asks the people whether Caesar was indeed ambitious and if that gave Brutus a good enough

reason to kill Caesar. A second difference is in that the purpose of Brutus’ speech is more

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political while that of Antony’s speech is more personal. Brutus speaks to the Romans in

order to gain their favor and make himself worthy of them. Therefore, he says things like he

loves Rome more than he did Caesar (lines 23-24). However, Antony, speaks to the people as

a friend who sincerely grieves for Caesar’s death. “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him”

(line 83). This shows that he has come for a personal purpose and not to impress the people

or make reason of them. Another main difference is that Brutus, even in his speech, tries

everything he can to make the plebeians take side with him and dislike Caesar. “Who is here

so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended…. Who is here so

vile that will not love his country” (lines 30-34)? It can be implied that Brutus subtly forces

the plebeians to not answer to the cutting remarks. Antony however, reminds the people of

the love that Caesar had for his people and the fact that they once loved him too. “You all did

love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him” (lines

111-113)? Antony’s desire to help Caesar’s reputation even after his death shows that Antony

truly loved Caesar.

Conclusion

There are several similarities and differences in the speeches of Brutus and Mark

Antony. It is evident that they are both very influential orators and they swayed the opinions

of the plebeians fairly easily. It is a great turning point in the way that the play was going,

now that the public has gone wild about revenge for Caesar. These speeches are also crucial

in the “war” between those who favored Caesar and those who didn’t. The power of two

public officials is greatly depicted in Act III, Scene II of the play Julius Caesar.

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Work Cited Page

McManus, Barbara F. "Julius Caesar: Historical Background." Vroma; A Virtual

Community for Teaching and Learning Classics. n.p., 2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html>

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October 17th, 2010. <http://www.pompey.cch.kcl.ac.uk/Historyofthe_Theater.htm>

Plutarch. The Life of Caesar. Trans. John Dryden. The Internet Classics Archive. n.p., n.d.

Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/caesar.html>

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Eds. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul

Westine. New York: Simon Schuster Paperbacks, 1992. Print.

Beck, Roger B., et al. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Boston: McDougal Littell,

2007. Print.