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In this play, Mark Antony's speech is very significant in highlighting Shakespeare's literature techniques. Through his speech, Antony is able to hide his intentions, change the mood of the citizens , revenge against the conspirators and reveal the truth about them and still honor his late friend Caesar.
In this speech, Shakespeare uses figurative language such as repetition, foreshadow, and pun. He also uses sarcasm, these techniques draw the attention of the citizens and influence them into seeking revenge against the conspirators.
To add more fuel to his speech, Antony shows the citizens Caesar's body. Showing them Caesar's body brought a mourning spirit over the Citizens. Antony showed each stab wound that the individual conspirator made, and the stab that caused the most reaction from the citizens was Brutus'. He says "For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.... how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all". Indirectly as he examines each wound the conspirator made he disproves of their actions. But as he stated earlier that wasn't his intention, but as we all know, it was but it was hidden secretly.
To honor his friend Caesar, Antony reminds the Citizens what good things Caesar did for Rome. The following things are things Antony states Caesar did which are not ambitious:
- Set Captives free
- Brought wealth to the city
-Sympathized with the poor
- Denied the crown 3 times
Antony again, states that Brutus is an honorable man and that he doesn't want to deny what Brutus had already stated, but to share what he knows and believes.
"And Brutus is an honorable man"
About 8 times throughout his speech Antony repeats how Brutus "is an honorable man". This repetition indicated sarcasm in the context it was used in. Before each time Antony states "is an honorable man" he says something bad about what Brutus did and something good about what Caesar did. For example, " You all did see that on Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse; was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and,sure, he is an honourable man."
The importance of this repetition is to reveal to the citizens that Brutus wasn't really as noble as people see him as.
Second Part
Third Part
First Part
Mark Antony then pulls out Caesar's will, by doing this he's able to really convince the citizens , so he reads it. Before he reads it though, he tries to tell the citizens that his speech isn't meant to make them angry , or speak against Brutus. However, though he tells the citizens that, he doesn't really mean it. Then, he tells the citizens that Caesar wrote in his will that he would give every Roman citizen 75 drachmas and various pieces of land that they can use for their pleasure. After reading his will, the citizens have now become angry and want to " Pluck down forms, windows", " Brand fire the traitor's houses, and pluck down benches". Finally, this is what causes the citizens to grow anger and they leave out as a body to carry out their actions.
Antony calls for the people's attention and sets a tone before actually giving his speech. He lets the people know why he is speaking and that he didn't come to speak to praise Caesar, but to bury him. Antony also acknowledges the fact that he received permission from the noble Brutus to speak at this event.
At the beginning of his speech he stated "The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones". From what our group understands this means, when a person dies the evil things they do is what is remembered, however the good things they do remains with that persons dead body. So Antony goes on to state good things Caesar did to remind the citizens of the real Caesar and influence them to turn against the conspirators.
Mark Antony Speaking in front of the citizens
ACT III scene 2
Ewaoluwa Ogundana
Kayla Pines
Lauren Thomas
Khalil Randolph