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Marcus Brutus In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

442 Words2 Pages

The position one holds and the way they speak greatly affects how an audience will depict their words. Marcus Brutus uses his status as an honorable man to make the audience listen to him. By saying “Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my/ cause, and be silent, that you may hear (3.2.14-15)” he demands their attention and expects them to see his view of the events. But, Brutus speaks in prose which is usually reserved for all of the commoners. This shows that there are internal conflicts residing in Brutus and he is distracted. On the other hand, Marc Antony's tells the people that he is just like them. When they look at and hear Antony they see themselves and put their trust upon him. He asks “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your …show more content…

However, Antony quickly averts the audience's thoughts. The people question why they had suddenly began to show hate towards Caesar when Antony says “you all did love him once, not without cause:/ What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? (3.2.111-113)” Ambition is often mentioned throughout the play and has a deep role in the events that take place. Brutus tries extensively to make himself sound heroic in order to gain more honor. He continues by saying “as he was/ valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I/ slew him (3.2.27-28).” Through these words he shows the people what he is capable of doing and how conflicts must be resolved. In contrast, Antony is trying to make Brutus sound like an imposter and he constantly repeats the phrase “Brutus is an honorable man (3.2.91).” When he uses this phrase in such sentences it slowly starts to sound sarcastic or stretched. “He was my friend, faithful and just to me:/ But Brutus says he was ambitious;/And Brutus is an honourable man (3.2.).” Antony continues his debate by giving examples of the great treasures Caesar has brought Rome.

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