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Renaissance Humanism In 'The Praise Of Folly'

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Erasmus, a Renaissance humanist, portrays folly as a character named so in The Praise of Folly to show his appreciation for the role foolishness plays in the human life. For all earthly existence, Erasmus’s Folly states that “you'll find nothing frolic or fortunate that it owes not to me [folly]” (The Praise of Folly, 14). Moreover, she states that “fools are so vastly pleasing to God; the reason being, I suggest, that just as great princes look suspiciously on men who are too clever, and hate them – as Julius Caesar suspected and hated Brutus and Cassius while he did not fear drunken Antony at all…they take delight in duller and simpler souls” (Folly, 115). Folly, indeed, plays a major role in determining the fate of Antony and Brutus after …show more content…

// I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: //…But as you know me all, a plain blunt man //… For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, // …I only speak right on” (JC, 3.2.210-225) clearly expresses his self-love and his adaptability as he paves the path for his own political interests by cleverly playing it respectful of the conspirators yet turning the Romans against them while keeping his position completely neutral and safe. On the other hand, Brutus’s use of appeal to logic, unlike Antony, at his eulogy for Caesar’s funeral, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more //…As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; // as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; // as he was valiant, I honour him: // but, as he was ambitious, I slew him” (JC, 3.2.20-30), leaves the mob more disturbed and bitter than ever before they succumb to Antony’s appeal to emotion as he continues to exploit their self-love. Brutus’s naïve belief that he has successfully justified his actions in the eyes of the Romans with such a short speech lacking any self-love is a sign of his naivety – a form of foolishness that lacks folly. On the other hand, Antony’s long speech is brave and fearless – a sign of a fool who embodies folly. According to Folly, “I [folly] is also the champion of prudence” (Folly, 27) as prudence is derived from experience, and men who lack …show more content…

This claim seems true as Brutus, who lacks folly, misunderstands Caesar’s folly, a dear friend, and results in conspiring to murder him. On the other hand, Antony, a man who dearly enjoys folly in the form of self-love, company, drinking, etc, attempts to avenge Caesar’s death. With his adaptability and self-love inspired by folly, he is able to win the Roman public sentiment while Brutus’s inflexibility and self-proclaimed wisdom earns him their hatred. As a results, as suggested by Folly, Brutus, a wise man, and his political career are doomed while Antony, a fool, continues to rule over the Romans with celebration with more

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Antony’s speech paints Brutus as a hypocrite, when, ironically, it is Antony who is the true deceiver. Throughout his speech, Antony

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Brutus also has a position in the government of Rome. He also had many tragic flaws like one which is trusting others. He trusted the conspirators and even Mark Antony. Another one is that Brutus is very idealistic meaning if would have known the consequences of murdering Caesar would be, then Antony would not have had to talk to at the funeral. For example,“ Now let it work.

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In Brutus' speech he uses logos to try to reason with the crowd whilst Antony uses pathos to control their emotions. Brutus explains that for the betterment of Rome Caesar had to die or else he would ruin the country and destroy the great empire. He at first has everyone on his side, that is of course until Antony speaks. When Antony speaks he gives examples of how Caesar wasn't going to ruin Rome and in fact how he was the best leader they had ever had. He says that Brutus and Cassius are murderers and that's all they are.

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Brutus wants to make the crowd feel like he is in a way the victim. In order to do that he says "As Caesar loved me I weep for him" so in a way the people feel bad for him. This emotional appeal did not persuade the audience considering the fact that he was if he truly did love Caesar as much as he said he would, then he would have tried to find a different route in getting rid of Caesar as emperor. Antony goes with the approach of making the people of Rome feel guilty. He tells the citizens "You all love him once not without cause what cause withholds you then to mourn for him" so they could reflect on their attitude towards his death.

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Brutus believes that Caesar will do more harm than good to the people, and reap benefits for himself. Brutus has already said this, but had said it in his own words, (II, i, 12-14). He has no clue if Caesar will use his power for the good and betterment for the people, or use it for his own needs and other

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(II, i, 53-55) which allows to say that he wants Rome to be just and do whatever it takes to maintain it away from any threat. Indeed, Brutus states this very clearly when he says, “If it’s for the good of all Romans, I’d do it even if it meant my death. Let the gods give me good luck only as long as I love honor more than I fear death.” (I, ii, 86-88), he explicitly says that the good of the majority is over any feeling or personal benefit which in this case is the love of Caesar for him and viceversa, and the throne. To conclude, Brutus is a complex character that is characterized by three recurrent traits: his well-intention, his hypocrisy, and his naivet.

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Brutus was a lifetime friend of Caesar 's that was deceived by a man that feared tyranny to betray Caesars trust and become an accomplice to his murder. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (III, II, 21-22). Brutus loved Rome more than Caesar and he

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Brutus delivers his speech in a laudatory manner by conveying Caesar’s deeds and claiming he was ambitious, although Antony contradicts Brutus’ claims and says Caesar spurned the crown with the intent to merely rule as a de facto dictator. Brutus’ speech reveals his motives were truly for the benefit of Rome given his nationalistic tone and Antony’s speech was merely used to obscure his true motives, which was to embroil Rome in a series of civil wars to attain power. Brutus and Antony’s speeches consisted predominantly of Pathos and Ethos, but it is Antony who ultimately it is Antony who prevails because of his almost disingenuous attitude and even use of Logos which is seen when claims that reading Caesar’s will would dishonor his compeers and even Caesar

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This example explicitly shows that Brutus’s nobility makes him an easy target for others to manipulate. Furthermore, Brutus’s nobility makes him naive. In Act 3, Scene 2, Brutus departs, fully trusting Mark Antony on his words to make a speech that does not blame the conspirators. This, however, is a huge mistake because Antony seeks this chance to successfully turn the crowd against the conspirators. Brutus, who is so noble, is too naive to understand that others may not act as righteously as he does.

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Brutus’ words emphasize his devotion to his country above Caesar. He is exceptionally passionate about his beloved Rome, trumping his love for Caesar. As another example of his allegiance, Brutus says, “Brutus had rather be a villager/ Than to repute himself a son of Rome/ Under these hard conditions as this time.” (1.2.181-183) In essence, this quote implies that the depths of Brutus’ loyalty for Rome is fathomless enough to make him utterly selfless and give up his power for the sake of Rome. His righteous philosophy has strengthened his loyalty to his country, developing his selflessness.

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