Comparison Between Antony and Brutus

Essay by hologram88High School, 10th gradeA+, June 2004

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Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare's greatest works. It is about a group of conspirators who kill their king, Julius Caesar, in order to be "free." Antony, who found no logic in the assassination, felt that he should avenge Julius's death. He delivered a speech that convinced the Romans that the murder was unjust, invoking their rebellion. Brutus, leader of the conspiracy, gave a good address, but the Romans didn't react to it as much as they did for Antony's. A battle erupted, and most of the conspirators committed suicide. The styles of the two speeches were very different from each other.

Brutus was first to speak. He approached the podium with his hands dripping in Caesar's blood. Brutus began by stating his case for killing Caesar. The crowd was confused and curious as to the reason for his death. Brutus' justification was not based on a hatred of Caesar, but because he "loved Rome" (he would rather see Caesar dead than his own country).

Specifically, he says, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (Act III, Scene ii, 21-22)

This quote proves and summarizes the point in Brutus' speech. To achieve his goals, Brutus' oratory techniques were simple, logical, and rational. His speech was formal, controlled, and it seems that all of the sentences are perfectly balanced. Although he did a very good job at explaining to the confused crowd that murdering Caesar was for the good of Rome, he hadn't won them over completely. Brutus explained yet again that he loved Caesar, but that his assassination was for the good of Rome. "As Caesar loved me, I weep for him." (Act III, Scene ii, 25-26). Brutus explained that he still cared for Caesar and he still also claimed that Caesar...