Brutus And Antony's Funeral Speech

Through Brutus' and Antony's funeral speeches, the contrast of emotion and logic reflects the contrasting strategies of the two characters. He gives a logical argument to support the killing of Caesar, stating it is "Not that [he] loved Caesar less, but that [he] loved Rome more" (3.2.21-22). Although logic is seen as a positive, it becomes Brutus's tragic flaw. He ignores the reality that individuals are often driven by emotions and go beyond simple reasoning. Instead, Brutus thinks the citizens will prioritize the well-being of Rome rather than personal feelings. Mark Antony, on the other hand, sees the crowd's emotional fragility and gives a powerful speech that skillfully plays to their emotions. The opening line of Antony's funeral speech,

The persuasive words of well-known figures like Brutus and Mark Antony are effective in swaying the Plebeians. Following Julius Caesar's assassination, Brutus and Antony each addressed the mob with powerful speeches. After Brutus' speech, the audience declares that "Caesar's better parts / Shall be crowned in Brutus!" (3.2.53) and that they will "bring him to his house with shouts and clamours"(3.2.54). However, as soon as Antony finishes speaking, the crowd labels the conspirators as "villains" and "traitors" (3.2.202) and adheres to the "Most Noble Antony" (3.2.234). The fickleness of the crowd and their exposure to emotional manipulation are evident in their rapid shifts in loyalty. They are easily swayed by the opinion of the moment, ignoring reason and rationality. When the Plebeians mistake Cinna the Poet for Cinna the Conspirator, they quickly get violent and attack him. This shows how irrational the crowd is as they will "tear [Cinna] into pieces" (3.3.28), even if their actions are based on misunderstandings. This suggests that when confronted with emotional circumstances, people tend to prioritize their emotional responses over logical thought, leading to impulsive