Brutus Caesar Facade

In politics, one rarely exposes his true feelings at all times. For many who commonly receive public attention, covering up certain unwanted traits comes as a regular occurrence. Masking these unbeneficial characteristics through the use of a facade, otherwise known as a false appearance, results in a manipulation of that person’s audience. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the character Antony masterfully uses a facade in order to shroud his true intentions. In contrast, Brutus fails to modify his appearance in accordance with the crowd’s desires, leaving Brutus victim to severe naivety. Due to his choice to remain genuine and honorable during the entirety of the play, Brutus lends to his own defeat while Antony gains acceptance through the

Antony also furthers his emotional appeal, indicating that he does not want to dishonor Brutus and Cassius, despite what they have done to Caesar. This builds Antony’s facade, making Antony himself appear more honorable for showing mercy toward those who killed Caesar. In his overall presentation, Antony maintains a facade of mercy and forgiveness, but in actuality, Antony seeks war against the conspirators. Unfortunately for Brutus, Brutus does not achieve such a facade. In contrast to Antony’s successful use of facade, Brutus limits himself by maintaining a need to exhibit honorable and noble traits at all times. Before the assassination of Caesar, Brutus leads the decisions of the conspirators by taking the final say of how the assassination would play out, explaining: Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully: Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,