Shakespeare’s main source for writing Julius Caesar was Plutarch’s Parallel Lives of the Greeks and Romans. The play was probably written around 1599 and was probably acted on a play, as a Swiss visitor record a performance that he has seen on 21 September 1599 in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Julius Caesar was a Roman military and political leader. He played an important role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Caesar fought in a civil war that left him undoubtedly a master of the Roman world, and after receiving control of the government began extensive reforms of Roman society and government. He was proclaimed dictator for life, and he heavily centralized the bureaucracy of the Republic. Ironically this provoked one of his trusted friends, Brutus, who back then conspired with others to murder the great dictator and restore the Republic. This dramatic assassination on the Ides of March, March 15, initiated a new civil war in Rome.
The people during that time had many mysterious beliefs or superstitions. They allowed their lives to revolve around these certain beliefs which seemed irrelevant. An example taken from the play is during the Feast of Lupercal. It was the procession and Caesar wanted his wife to touch even just the cloak of Mark Antony for wise men say that when barren women touched at the procession, it shall return their sterility. Another example was when Caesar left the Capitol, accompanied by Antony. Caesar reveals his suspicion of Cassius, a Roman Senator. Antony shrugged of the accusation and proceeded in saying that Cassius was not dangerous but a noble Roman with a good reputation. But still Caesar continued to state why he was suspicious of him. According to Caesar people who are unusually thin and malnourished think too much. This, to Caesar, was dangerous characteristic. Being thin meant that Cassius was keen observer and was cunning, for it could have resulted from his lack of sleep. Caesar also stated that such as these rarely smiled and whenever they did it would look as if they were making fun of someone else. They seem to be never contented with their lives and always wish to be like those greater than themselves, such as Julius Caesar. Another source of superstition was when there was a change in the weather. The bad weather was considered a bad omen and the dreams were given new meanings. The people allowed these superstitions to continue thinking that this was a sign of being able to prepare for what is to come.
Marcus Antonius, also known as Mark Antony in English, was a Roman politician and general. He was considered as an important supporter of Julius Caesar as a military commander and administrator. In the play, his presence was first revealed during the Feast of Lupercal. However, after he discovered the death of Julius Caesar at the hands of the conspirators, he formulated a plan to avenge the murder of his beloved friend. Antony allied with Octavius and Lepidus formed the second triumvirate.
Mark Antony was indeed Caesar’s loyal friend. He was the one who provoked the opposition when Caesar was murdered. He, along with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, led the attacks on the conspirators, who were already in hiding at that time. Antony was Caesar’s right hand man and remained faithful to Caesar despite the conflicts that arose between the two of them. In February of 44 BC, during the Lupercalia festival (February 15), Antony offered a diadem to Julius Caesar in the presence of many Roman citizens. This event was important as it demonstrates Caesar’s true intentions. The diadem was a symbol of a king and Caesar’s refusal proved to the people that he had no desire to take over the throne.
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, both Roman Senators, Brutus and Mark Antony, praise Julius Caesar, both using their own methods and techniques. Brutus, attempts to sway the people, forcing them to believe that the reasons that he and the conspirators have for killing Caesar were valid. He justifies that the conspiracy against Caesar was evitable, as he was becoming more ambitious and power hungry. The conspirators believed that Caesar’s need for power would badly damage Rome. However, in Antony’s acclamation, he focuses mainly on Caesar’s positive qualities, and cunningly disapproves Brutus’ justification for killing Caesar. The Romans present during these orations, were weak and were easily influenced by the Senators brilliant approach. The citizens wavered between the two leaders, responding in an emotional, rather than intellectual way.
Mark Antony demonstrates a very strong character and succeeds in influencing the audience, not only by successfully concealing his real intentions but also by convincing Brutus that he was on their side. He never fails to fascinate the audience and his character develops unquestionably as the play progresses. Shakespeare closely follows the hints found in Plutarch. But the audiences’ opinion of Antony varies from gaining their approval to questioning his purpose, from admiration to doubt.
Soon after the murder of Caesar, Antony meets Caesar’s assassins. He spoke to them tactfully, never letting the fact that he was against their actions, slip. He pretended to be friends with them and shook their hands, which were stained with Caesar’s blood. After the conspirators left him with Caesar’s lifeless body, Antony displayed his grief and misery alone. He looked down upon Caesar’s dead corpse and laments his tragic death. Antony is moved with suppressed grief and passion for revenge. He also prophesized that Caesar’s death would come with severe consequences, in Italy in the form of a civil war, as well as death and destruction.
And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
In this text, Antony was left alone with Caesar’s lifeless corpse and talked about Julius Caesar. Antony said that Caesar’s spirit would continue to roam the world seeking for revenge on those who murdered him. He would continue to dwell in the world, his vengeful spirit accompanied by Ate, the Greek Goddess of revenge, coming directly from the pits of hell. With the voice of a monarch, Caesar’s spirit would order hostility and murder, and would set loose the dogs of war. Shakespeare uses the method of allusion in this context. He includes a mythological figure to voice out Antony’s assuptions of what Caesar’s actions would be to those who betrayed and murdered him.
Mark Antony’s eulogy implies a rather unique approach. He began his speech by addressing the crowd as ‘Friends’, to gain their trust and to make them believe that he was indeed their friend rather than a Senator trying to gain power. He then went on to say, “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him,” therefore he can carry on praising Caesar without the crowd interrupting. His speech seemed very sincere when he said, “The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious.... For Brutus is an honourable man”. The repetition of this statement for more than three times builds up a sense of sarcasm. During the course of the speech Antony said that according to Brutus, Caesar was becoming ambitious, and indeed Brutus was an honourable man. Since the people responded positively to Brutus’ speech, Antony could not directly disapprove of his frankness and honesty in an obvious manner. Yet, Antony rejected the fact that Caesar was ambitious. He proves this in three unusual circumstances. One incident was when he gave the ransom of captives to the public treasury rather than keep them for himself; another was whenever he wept with the poor people. Finally, another example was when he was offered kingship by Mark Antony and he refused it, not only once but three times. A person who was a power hungry tyrant would not have done such things. Antony says, “I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,” but in reality that is exactly what he does. Antony uses a dramatic effect to gain the citizens sympathies. He achieves this, firstly by entering on stage with Caesar’s body and then by ending his statement saying that his heart remains with Caesar’s dead body. He weeps while ending his speech, silently gaining the people’s trust.
In one of the most famous speeches considered in all literature, Antony was able to turn the crowd against the conspirators, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him…” Mark Antony used his skills as a professional public speaker to reverse the crowd’s opinion about the conspirators. He was able to persuade the crowd to have the same kind of opinion as himself, by firstly destroying Brutus’ accusation of Caesar’s ambitiousness. He was able to do so not by saying that the conspirators were wrong for murdering Caesar, but by providing two reasons why Caesar was not ambitious. “He hath brought many captives home to Rome’; this quotation signifies that Caesar did not serve only for personal purposes, but for all of Rome as well. The second point that Mark Antony provides to defeat the charges against Caesar is “when that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept,” Antony reveals to the citizens that Caesar was indeed one with the Roman people, always wanting what is best for them. All of Caesar’s actions were for the Roman people and to make their lives better.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee.
How like a deer, stricken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
Shakespeare openly uses comparisons in his play. Here, Antony compares Caesar to a hart or deer. The world is compared to a forest in which the deer roams, unaware of the world around him and yet carefree. Now Caesar lies in the Senate house, covered in blood, like a deer killed by many princes. Antony praises Caesar for his nobility, dignity and innocence. In the second line of this particular verse, Antony describes Caesar as the heart of the world. In his statement, Antony implies that Caesar was indeed loved by the world he has left behind. There is also evidence of a pun being used, as in the word ‘heart’ which can also be pronounced in the same way as ‘hart’, which means deer. It could also be an example of a homophone, two words which are pronounced the same but spelt differently. Here Shakespeare also uses both styles of ‘metaphor’ and ‘simile’. It is highly fascinating how Antony can use such techniques while speaking, since he was expressing his personal grief for losing a dear friend.
But were I Brutus
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
By his expressive style and cunningness, Antony provokes the feelings of the citizens against the conspirators. After he told them of Caesar’s greatness and generosity, he showed them every wound in Caesar’s body made by each of the conspirators. Then he said that he was not an orator, but a blunt and plain-speaking man. If Brutus was Antony, and Antony was Brutus, then he would have the ability to lead them to rebellion. He could have made every wound in Caesar’s body speak ever so touchingly, so that even the stones of Rome are moved and ascend in revolt against the conspirators.
Antony is indeed a master orator. His claim that he is a ‘plain, blunt man’ is the strategy of a speaker to gain the sympathy and confidence of his audience. Antony targets the emotions of the citizens with his professional ability and allows them hunt down the conspirators.
In justifying Caesar and disproving Brutus, the people see Antony as a potential successor of Caesar. They are swayed to his side by his emotional approach, his almost discreet way of making a point, his reputation, and powerful evidence of Caesar’s concern. He was capable of getting the crowd to question the purpose of killing Caesar. He was able to insert doubt in people’s minds, in all areas except the fact that he, Antony, was weak soul and honourable. The difference between the speeches proves to the audience the significance of the intended style of speech. Both orators attempt to appeal to the people, both using repetitions, but Brutus takes a defensive approach, forcing the people to find their own conclusions. However, Antony takes a persecuting approach against Brutus, effectively concealing his desired results. Furthermore, Antony's examples give him an advantage over Brutus because he backs up statements while Brutus leaves his statements more open-ended. The people appear to find Antony more agreeable and can easily accept him, as an emotional and sincere speaker and character, compared to Brutus who appears both arrogant and forceful.
As Caesar’s ever-present second in command, partner in consulship and cousin, it was natural to choose Antony to make the funeral eulogy. In his speech, he throws his accusations of murder and secured a permanent separation with the conspirators. Antony removed the cloak from Caesar’s body to present the crowd the scars from his wounds. That night, the Roman citizens attacked the assassins’ houses, forcing them to flee for their lives.
The audience notices the change in Mark Antony’s character when he himself doubts Lepidus’ capability to lead an opposition. This is seen during the opening of Act 4, when Antony, Octavius and Lepidus plan their strategy of attack against the remaining conspirators. Mark Antony’s loyalty is again revealed. He is certainly Caesar’s faithful follower. This is proven by his willingness to condemn his own nephew, Publius, the son of his sister, upon finding out that he was one of the assassins. But this fact was drowned, since Lepidus as well, was ready to denounce his brother. After Lepidus left to do as he was requested, Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar make it clear that they are only using Lepidus in order not to enrage the people.
This is a slight, unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands; is it fit,
The threefold world divided, he should stand
One of the three to share it?
In this particular verse, Mark Antony openly questions Lepidus’ potential. He labeled Lepidus as weak and unworthy. Antony then asked Octavius whether Lepidus was fit enough to rule the world with them. It was contemplated whether he should have one of the shares, when the world was divided into three parts (Europe, Africa, Asia). According to Antony, Lepidus was only capable of running errands and could only do what he was commanded. He did not possess the ability to decide for himself. Antony and Octavius also doubted that if they had three different armies, and one was to be led by Lepidus, he would not have the ability to decide for himself. It is this fact that led them to agree that it would probably be better if they attacked combined. Mark Antony then revealed that after using Lepidus, they would get rid of him. This led the audience to question whether it was justice, for Caesar’s death, that he was actually acting upon or if he was just formulating a way to take over Caesar’s vacant position.
This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar.
These words were said by Antony when the battle was over and they had already found Brutus’ dead body. In this verse, he proclaimed that among all the conspirators, Brutus was the noblest. Antony praised Brutus because he alone killed Caesar not out of jealousy but out of love for Rome. The other conspirators had their own selfish reasons for murdering Caesar, whereas Brutus only thought that Caesar was becoming a dictator. Mark Antony displays yet another amazing quality. This is to see what lies within the heart of a person. To him, Brutus acted out of love for his country and was blinded by the reasoning that the other assassins had given him.
Mark Antony was a man of honour who was brilliant with words. Those qualities can be very powerful when used by a cunning and influential person, who seeks revenge and justice. In the drama The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony is a very persuasive character and he uses his powers of persuasion in this book to help his cause. He was focused in avenging his friend Julius Caesar and mainly aimed on killing all of the conspirators, even if it includes his own nephew. It appears that Antony had no real intention of gaining power or the throne; he was just a mere General or advisor, a very clever one.
Antony may have had some intention of gaining power but he wasn’t after the throne but rather just a member of the consulate who has a lot of political power, more powerful than the other two, Lepidus and Octavius.
There is something unusual about Antony’s character and personality. The first impression that the audience have of Mark Antony is of a man who is dedicated to sports and games and merry-making. He is gay and idle but is deeply devoted to Caesar. Brutus tells his fellow-conspirators that “Antony is but a limb of Caesar.” Cassius alone realizes that Antony has the ability of a “shrewd contriver,” cunning planner, who could cause absolute mischief.
It is the death of Caesar that brought out the hidden qualities of Mark Antony. The audience notices that he develops into a powerful person, who can sway the fate of a nation by his eloquence, his intrigues, his statesmanship and his military strategy. He proves himself to be tactful, dishonest, and at times ruthless. He is able to read the mind of Brutus, falsely pretending to be his friend and acquires permission to speak at the funeral of Julius Caesar.
Antony’s funeral speech revealed his magnificent gift as a speechmaker. It shows that he is a master of mob psychology. With purposeful cunningness, he worked on the emotions of the crowd and turns them against the conspirators. When the rebellion started, he said “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt.”
There are times that Antony seems reckless. He takes risks like a gambler. But he also displays the power to control any situation. From being ‘a marker and reveler’ he rises to the position of a statesman and a commander who controls the destiny of one half of the Roman Empire.
Towards the end of the play, Antony seems satisfied. He is no longer an opportunist, a merry-maker or an orator. He has destroyed the army of Cassius and is victorious in the second battle against Brutus. He has proven himself to be a man of courage, action, loyalty and foresight. Mark Antony’s success in the battle does not make him proud or self-righteous and he is noble in his dealings with some of the prisoners of the war.
As politician, Antony is ruthless and yet practical. His character is a contrast compared to the idealist Brutus. And yet Antony has his own admirable qualities. He has energy and intelligence; he can be genuine in his feelings and he appreciates the merits of others.
Antony’s cunningness and his revelation to only use Lepidus as a tool, signifies his ruthlessness and ability to change the people’s minds. He proves himself not only strong in character, but in spirit as well. He is no longer the same happy-go-lucky sportsman, during the Feast of Lupercal, in the eyes of the audience, but a very admiring and powerful leader. He is greatly admired for his strong and powerful character, as well as his gift as an orator. Mark Antony is indeed a loyal and faithful friend to Julius Caesar, although suspicion remains that his actions was a result of a politician working to receive his desired position.
