Content of Caesar’s Will
Antony tells the angry mob the contents of Caesar's will and explains that Caesar hasl bestowed
"seventy-five drachmas" to each citizen (Line 247).
Antony adds that Caesar gave all his walks, "His private arbours," and his newly planted orchards, to the Citizens for their pleasure.
Antony adds that Caesar gave all his walks, "His private arbours," and his newly planted orchards, to the Citizens for their pleasure.
Contrast between the funeral speeches of
Brutus and Antony.
•Brutus’ speech to the mob is the speech of a philosopher
who speaks in a logical manner whereas Antony’s speech is emotional and is
intended to stir the feelings and passion of the listeners.
•Brutus’ speech is cold and intellectual. His speech appeals to the intelligence of the listeners and it fails because the listeners in this case are not intelligent enough.
•Brutus’ speech was argumentative and somewhat difficult to understand. His speech is undoubtedly an excellent specimen of reasoning. The logic behind his speech is absolutely clear but again the point remains that logic is something which the common people do not understand. But it does not mean that Brutus is speaking to people who are utterly ignorant. The point is that the people understand his reasoning only to a limited extent. They surrender to his logic only because they have a high opinion about him.
•Brutus’ speech is cold and intellectual. His speech appeals to the intelligence of the listeners and it fails because the listeners in this case are not intelligent enough.
•Brutus’ speech was argumentative and somewhat difficult to understand. His speech is undoubtedly an excellent specimen of reasoning. The logic behind his speech is absolutely clear but again the point remains that logic is something which the common people do not understand. But it does not mean that Brutus is speaking to people who are utterly ignorant. The point is that the people understand his reasoning only to a limited extent. They surrender to his logic only because they have a high opinion about him.
•Brutus fails to understand the mob:
Brutus tries to appeal to the people’s love of freedom. He tries to stir their hatred of tyranny but he does not understand that people at this point in Roman history are not very enlightened and they do not understand the talk about freedom and slavery.
Brutus tries to appeal to the people’s love of freedom. He tries to stir their hatred of tyranny but he does not understand that people at this point in Roman history are not very enlightened and they do not understand the talk about freedom and slavery.
Speech of Antony
The
merits of Antony’s speech are:
•Antony knows the psychology of the mob and he appeals directly to this psychology. He does not talk of the principle of freedom or the evil of tyranny and slavery rather he speaks about the wounds which have been inflicted upon Caesar’s body.
•He speaks about the ingratitude of Brutus who was loved as a dear friend by Caesar.
•He talks of Caesar’s will in which he had made the roman mob an heir to his property.
•Antony makes use of several rhetoric devices in the course of his speech. He makes use of irony when he says again and again that Brutus is an honorable man and others too are honorable man.
•He exploits the sympathy of the mob by pointing to each wound on Caesar’s body by connecting it with one or other conspirator.
•Another important difference is that Brutus speaks to the mob in prose, whereas Antony speaks to mob in verse. Antony’s speech makes use not only of rhetorical but also of poetic devices. Therefore Antony imparts narrative quality to his speech and targets the feelings and passion of his listeners.
•Antony knows the psychology of the mob and he appeals directly to this psychology. He does not talk of the principle of freedom or the evil of tyranny and slavery rather he speaks about the wounds which have been inflicted upon Caesar’s body.
•He speaks about the ingratitude of Brutus who was loved as a dear friend by Caesar.
•He talks of Caesar’s will in which he had made the roman mob an heir to his property.
•Antony makes use of several rhetoric devices in the course of his speech. He makes use of irony when he says again and again that Brutus is an honorable man and others too are honorable man.
•He exploits the sympathy of the mob by pointing to each wound on Caesar’s body by connecting it with one or other conspirator.
•Another important difference is that Brutus speaks to the mob in prose, whereas Antony speaks to mob in verse. Antony’s speech makes use not only of rhetorical but also of poetic devices. Therefore Antony imparts narrative quality to his speech and targets the feelings and passion of his listeners.
Character sketch of Julius Caesar
ØCaesar,
as portrayed by Shakespeare, is a mixture of weakness and strength. In the very
opening scene of the play the playwright gives us an impression of Caesar as a
political and military strength, though at certain times he tells us that his
power is being undermined by certain officers of the state.
ØAlthough
Caesar shows complete disregard for any kind of superstition yet at certain
occasions he reveals to be under the impact of superstitions.
ØCaesar
is fearless but at the same time he has a wavering mind also. When Calpurnia
tries to convince him to remain indoors, Caesar fearlessly says that he is
ready to accept whatever may be the consequences of stepping out on that day.
He very philosophically declares that cowards die many times before their death
and the brave never taste of it except once. But when Calpurnia pleads in front
of him and bends on her knees, Caesar agrees to follow the words of his wife.
ØAgain
when Decius comes and misinterprets Calpurnia’s dream, Caesar is fully
convinced and also tempted by the thoughts of being offered the kingly crown,
so he decides to get ready to leave the house.
•Here Caesar
feels greatly pleased by the flattering interpretation of Calpurnia’s dream
.Thus, he appears to have a wavering mind.
ØCaesar
reveals his firmness and his arrogance in the Senate House when Metellus Cimber
approaches him with a petition. Caesar firmly rejects the request. Here we
admire Caesar’s firmness but we strongly disapprove the arrogant and proud
manner in which he speaks to the petitioner. He claims to be one man among
countless men as he never changes his mind and never modifies his decisions.
ØCaesar
is also very graceful and dignified in receiving the Senators when they come to
his house to fetch him to Senate House. In a very hospitable manner, he offers
them to come inside and taste some wine.
ØCaesar
as portrayed by Shakespeare does arouse our admiration because of his strength
of character and understanding of human nature but we feel disappointed by his
wavering nature, his love of flattery, his arrogance and his boastfulness.
Character
Sketch of Marcus Brutus
•When Cassius
approaches Brutus and tries to convince and bring him into conspiracy,
Shakespeare shows the conflict in his mind due to his love for Caesar and love
of freedom .Cassius is able to read the disturbance going on in Brutus’ mind.
He targets the mind of Brutus accordingly and succeeds in luring him in the
conspiracy party by playing upon his sense of honour and love for freedom and
partly also by appealing to him in the name of his ancestors.
•Although
Brutus greatly values freedom and wants to safeguard the interest of the common
people, yet he is at the same time a dear friend of Caesar.
•Brutus is an
idealist who is opposed by the realism and practical sense of Cassius.
•The idealism
of Brutus comes out in the course of the play especially when the conspiracy is
being planned against Caesar.
•Being an
idealist and a visionary with little knowledge of practical realities he fails
as a statesman and as a military leader. The lack of political foresight and
incapacity to judge the characters of the people whom he has to convince
constitute the tragic flaw in him. He shows himself to be too self righteous
and self opinionated.
•In dealing
with Antony, Brutus shows the same ignorance of the practical reality of life
as he had previously when the conspiracy was discussed by him with his fellow
conspirators. He shows himself to be more than willing to negotiate with
Antony, contrary to the wishes of Cassius and permits him to address the mob.
He certainly takes the precaution of himself addressing the mob first, but he then
departs, leaving the field free for Antony. He does not foresee the harm which
Cassius could and which Antony now does to the cause of the conspirators.
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