Brutus stresses that he loved Caesar and acted for the good of Rome and asks rhetorically if the people would prefer to live as slaves under Caesar’s rule or to live as freemen with Caesar dead. He knew how to appeal effectively to the crowd saying what they wanted to hear and promises that killing Caesar will bring freedom and prosperity to the citizens of Rome. To anyone of the Romans offended by his speech, he wonders if they would reject what Brutus next says: “Who is here so base, that would be a bondman?” He stresses the point by repeating the sentence. He then allows the people to respond to his rhetorical question, giving them the sense that he cares about them, and about their opinions. As we can see they do not disagree with his words or action. Brutus’s speech is written in prose, which is the language of the common people. He spoke more harshly and to the point and he demonstrated what he really thought of Caesar. He didn’t really care what the people thought of him.
Brutus speaks arrogantly, stating that Caesar’s ambitions would have harmed Rome, and he wins the people’s sympathy saying that no one loved Rome more then he did, and by saying this he flatters the crowd. He says he is an honourable man and later in the speech says Caesar’s death “is envolid in the capitol” to further justify his deed.
Directly after his speech the crowd hail him as a hero and the next Caesar which was not the response Brutus was looking for, nevertheless it was a positive response, however it does not mean anything as they have not heard Antony’s speech yet. The crowd is fickle and inclined to agree with any good orator.
Antony’s speech is immensely different from Brutus’. Antony has the opportunity to speak last, so the people are more apt to agree with what he says. Brutus tries to persuade the crowd by trying to talk to them about honour, and patriotism. Antony’s speech is more emotional, and sentimental speaking, 1about how much he loved Caesar and how much he loved Rome, and therefore it was a more powerful speech and stirs the crowd more.
Mark Antony’s speech focuses on Caesar’s positive qualities, and he slyly disapproves Brutus’ justification for killing Caesar. We can see that Antony’s speech is written in verse, showing more thought and planning than Brutus’ speech.
Antony was not allowed to blame Caesar’s death on the conspirators, so he gets around this by changing the meaning of words such as “honourable”. He states: “for Brutus is an honourable man” and he repeats it, becoming increasingly sarcastic.
Antony speaks about all the good Caesar has done, as he says, “I come to bury Caesar not to praise him”- but he praises him, and gives 3 examples to refute Caesars ambition: He brought captives to Rome, whose ransoms he put in the coffers; He refused the crown twice.
He didn’t criticise Brutus straight out but rather said it in an oblique way. Antony said “I speak not to disapprove what Brutus spoke” but that’s exactly what he did. “If it were so, it was a grievous fault,” this gives the impression that Antony doesn’t agree; trying to persuade the crowd to that opinion.
“Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage”-he manages to stir up the people, without getting himself into trouble. At this time the crowd want to kill the conspirators, and then Antony holds up Caesars’ cloak and puts his finger through the hole that Brutus made and the crowd go mad.
Antony enters the stage with Caesar’s body and shows the crowd the torn and bloody clothing, and weeps and the plebeians weep with him.
“My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar”- he ends his speech weeping, giving his speech a more dramatic and emotional effect, and tries to win them over in which he succeeded. Antony is more poetic and puts himself onto their level.
“For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, action, nor utterance not the power of speech to stir men’s blood”- He said this making himself humble although we can see what a great Orator he really was.
Brutus plays a defensive role whereas Antony uses a prosecuting manner, stealthily undermining Brutus.
Antonys speech is much longer and finally we realise its purpose, “Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt!”
The idea that Brutus can justify his action to the crowd, who affectively act as judge and jury, seems strange to us. Antony does not openly seek to avenge Caesars death or boldly ask for justice yet subtly that is exactly what he manages to do. As he shows the will, the people get more eager and impatient to read it.
Both orators are just, and admirable. This is proved by Brutus allowing to Antony to speak, and for such a long time. Antony shows Brutus’ good character at the end of the play. We know Brutus only acted for the peoples good and Antony also. A pity the men ended up conflicting each other.
Both of them use repetition effectively, such as honour; Caesar loved him; and ambition.
Both of them spoke well, but Antony stirs the crowd more being that he was the last to speak, and the crowd listened to him more.