In 'The Tragedy of Julius Caesar' the orations by Brutus and Antony after Caesar's death are dramtically crucial. Discuss their dramatic significance.

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        In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a critical turning point occurs during the orations by Brutus and Antony after Caesar’s death, that sends public outrage souring against Brutus and the other conspirators involved in Caesar’s death. At first it seems Brutus has the obvious upper hand, and Antony shows great respect for him. Yet where Brutus’ reasoned, logical prose fail to permanently convince the citizens the Caesar had to be killed, Antony, using colorful poetry and emotional appeal, persuades the plebeians that there was no cause for Caesar’s death, and those responsible must be punished.

        Brutus is only able to convince the audience of his opinion temporarily, because of a few vital mistakes. Brutus speaks in prose, refusing to let emotion enter his speech and erroneously assuming that the citizens, like himself, will be stoical enough to trust reasoned logic over emotionally stimulating poetry. He uses simple, logically reasoned prose in an attempt to better connect with the less educated commoners. Yet Brutus fails to understand that what the citizens want is not a reasoned explanation for Caesar’s slaying, but an emotionally intense oration. Shakespeare – for whatever reason – depicts the commoners in this scene to be extremely irrational with a mob-like mentality. These commoners want to agree with Brutus, yet cannot truly understand his logical arguments for Caesar’s death, that his ambition could make him want to become emperor. Brutus – imagining himself to be the perfect stoic – keeps any personal gain he could receive out of his reasoning. Yet, when Brutus has finished speaking, a citizen cries, “Caesar's better parts / Shall be crowned in Brutus.” (III.ii.54-55). Brutus fails to understand the power of emotion, and the lack of emotion in his speech leaves the citizens with only a superficial agreement with his opinion, giving Antony an easy opening to sway the citizens to his side in an emotionally charged oration.

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         Antony, an opposite of Brutus, easily sees what Brutus cannot, that the citizens need emotional intensity, and someone to place their anger on. So Antony cunningly uses complex rhetorical techniques to turn public opinion against Brutus, while never actually saying a bad word against any conspirator. Antony speaks with poetry, connecting with the common people in another way, by coming down off the podium and speaking amongst the people. Poetry is also a better conveyer of emotion, which Antony understands to be important to the crowd.  The plebeians at first were convinced Brutus was right, saying, “‘Twere best he [Antony] ...

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