In William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" there are two major speeches made just after the death of the great Caesar.

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Julius Caesar

In William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” there are two major speeches made just after the death of the great Caesar. One by Brutus, and one by Caesars great compatriot Mark Anthony. These men were both Roman Senators. Both of these men use different techniques in confronting the crowds of people. Brutus comes across as slightly arrogant and to the point and uses his rhetorical skills to sway the crowd in his favor. Brutus tries to justify the conspiracy against Caesar saying that Caesar was too ambitious and it would have hurt Rome. He says that he loved Caesar, and did not kill him because he did not love Caesar but he loved Rome “…why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I lov’d Caesar less, but that I lov’d Rome more.”

Brutus begins his speech with “Romans, Countrymen…” this is to appeal to them as citizens of Rome, he goes on to say later that Caesars death will benefit them as freemen. Brutus is again showing his oratorical skills, luring the crowd in and appealing to their better judgement as Roman people. Brutus declares that he is an honorable man, and he says the crowd may judge the validity of his claims “Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.” Brutus wants them to know the facts. Brutus is very clever here, sharing information with the crowd, which is flattering to them. He gains their sympathy very much this way, by saying that he loved Caesar greatly, and he dared them to find somebody that loved Caesar more. This is all part of his oratorical skills, which makes him very persuasive. Brutus goes on to explain how he cried for, and honoured Caesar “As Caesar lov’d me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him; but – as he was ambitious, I slew him.” Before he says this he asks a rhetorical question, would they rather as slaves under Caesar or as freedmen with Caesar dead. Brutus goes on to ask if any is offended or rejects what Brutus has just said “who is here so base that would be a bondman?” he continues with questions of the sort “who is here so rude that would not be a Roman?” the crowd just reply with “None, Brutus, none.”

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This is good for Brutus, he responds “Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus.” Brutus goes on to say “I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.” This is a self-sympathy attention-seeking ploy, because he knows only too well that the crowd now wants him to live. They respond with “Live, Brutus! Live, live!” After this he tells the crowd, after he depart they should all stay and listen to Mark Anthony.

Mark Anthony’s speech is of completely different ...

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