How Effective Are Brutus And Antony In Gaining The Support Of The Roman Citizens After Caesar's Assassination?

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How Effective Are Brutus And Antony In Gaining The Support Of The Roman Citizens After Caesar's Assassination?

        Marcus Brutus is Caesar's best and most loyal friend. He joins the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, after,  Cassius, convinces him that the people of Rome do not like Caesar. Brutus' love for Rome is greater than his love for his friend; this therefore results in his turning against Caesar. Brutus is an idealist, and believes  that other men have the same high principles as himself. He is the last one to stab Caesar. Caesar loved him dearly, but Brutus killed him not only physically but mentally:

        "Et tu, Brute? then fall Caesar"

        If his good friend Brutus, wanted to kill him then life was not worth living for Caesar.

        Both Brutus and Antony are good friends of Caesar, but unlike Brutus, Antony puts his friendship first. When he sees the dead Caesar on the ground, he asks for the conspirators to take his life also:

        "nor no instrument of half that worth as

        those  your swords, made rich."

        Antony loved Caesar with all his heart.

        Brutus then takes control and gives his reasons for the assassination.

        That the Republicans, are appalled that Caesar has become so powerful. Brutus is very concerned for the good of Rome. Shakespeare's audience would have been very interested in this theme as they reflected on the successor of their very forceful ruler, Queen Elizabeth I.

        Antony then focuses on the killing, appealing with emotion to the dead Caesar.

        Toward the end of the scene Antony delivers a soliloquy in which he expresses true feelings. Following this he talks to his servant and refers to Brutus as "noble, wise, valiant and honest."

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        Brutus is willing for Antony to come so that Brutus can provide explanations. He naively  believes that Antony will be convinced by reason and will be an ally.

        This contrasts to Cassius as he thinks otherwise. He considers it foolish to let Antony speak at Caesar's funeral:

        "you know not what you do; do not consent.

        That Antony speak in his funeral.

        Know you how much the people may be mov'd

        By that which he will utter?"

        This turns out to be ironic as that is exactly what happens.

        Brutus delivers the speech to the people of ...

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