Antony as a great leader Expository Essay The decisions that one man makes can determine the length of life. Rome has many people that have the characteristics to be great leaders. Antony is a manipulative man, Brutus is an honorable man, and Octavius is a quiet strength. All three men would do an excellent job in leading Rome. Antony is a manipulative man. This is shown throughout the play in several cases, but most prominently at Caesar’s funeral. “I thrice presented him a kingly crown which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?” (III, ii, 96-96). Antony is very cleaver in the way that he presents his case to the people. He uses rhetorical questioning to show the people that Caesar was in fact not ambitious. Antony also played on the people’s greed, to influence them to his side. “I found it in his closet; ‘tis his will/and they would go kiss Caesar’s dead wounds…” (III, ii, 129, 132-133). Antony is very smart in the way he does this. He
knows how to talk to the people to get them to believe his side of the story and revenge Caesar’s death. Likewise, Antony is conniving. He uses this strength by flattering Brutus, and falsely befriending the conspirators into letting him speak at Caesar’s funeral. “I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand.” (III, i, 200-201). Antony presents his case in such a way that Brutus and the other conspirators think that he is on their side, when in fact he really is going to turn the common people against them to revenge Caesar’s death ...
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knows how to talk to the people to get them to believe his side of the story and revenge Caesar’s death. Likewise, Antony is conniving. He uses this strength by flattering Brutus, and falsely befriending the conspirators into letting him speak at Caesar’s funeral. “I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand.” (III, i, 200-201). Antony presents his case in such a way that Brutus and the other conspirators think that he is on their side, when in fact he really is going to turn the common people against them to revenge Caesar’s death by creating a war. Furthermore, Brutus is an honorable man giving him the chance to be a great leader. Brutus is an idealist man, who is optimistic about assassinating Caesar. “Grant that, and then is death a benefit. So are we Caesar’s friends…” (III, i, 115). Brutus believes that with Caesar gone, Rome will greatly benefit. The common people will not be treated like bondsman, and Rome will not have someone who is driven by ambition to take over their country. Additionally, Brutus is also a noble person. Brutus helped in the assassination of Caesar not for personal gain but for the love of Rome. “Not that I loved Caesar lee, but that I loved Rome more.” (III, ii, 21-22). Brutus is able to satisfy that his motive is pure; that his action is without bitterness and that the assassination of Caesar is for the general good of Rome. Brutus is also rigidly mortal. “I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me, For I can raise no money by vile means. By heaven, I had rather coin my heart And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me.” (IV, iii, 78-86) Brutus is distressed with Cassius because he is led to believe that Cassius is accepting bribes, and denying Brutus the proper money to pay his troops. Brutus confronts Cassius and tells him that he was wrong to misuse his power and be so dishonest. Brutus clearly states that he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar, which in turn keeps his motives pure and his reasons for helping in the assassination honorable. Above and beyond, throughout the play Octavius is seen as a silent character, yet shows his strengths in several matters. Octavius is seen to be ill tempered. Though he is a quiet man if challenged he will take action. “I do not cross you; but I will do so.” (V, I, 21). Octavius has much respect for Antony, however if he is challenged, or forced to do so he will cross Antony. This shows us that Octavius will stand up for himself and what he believes in. In addition, Octavius is respectful. “Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie.” (V, V, 83). Octavius is referring to Brutus’ dead body, when he recites these lines. He states this because he has the utter most respect for Brutus and what he stands for. Octavius believes Brutus is a man of importance and one to be honored, so he is going to honor him properly. Also, Octavius is a graceful man. “Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look, I draw a sword against conspirators;” (V, i, 52-55). He believed that what was done to Caesar was unjust and uncalled for. Octavius being of Caesar’s blood, his nephew, felt the only way to honor his dead uncle was to revenge his death. Even thought Octavius is the quiet strength of the second triumphant, he displays his leadership qualities and respect for others in a diplomatic way. In conclusion, throughout the play Rome has a source of people who would make excellent leaders and guide Rome to victory. Antony is seen as being a manipulative man and proves that nothing will stand in his way to revenge his friends death. Moreover, Brutus proves that he is an honorable man by keeping his motives pure and standing by his story that he truly loved Rome more than Caesar. Likewise, Octavius played a small roll as a quiet by-stander, yet proved his point that he will not stand for being push around in any sort of matter. Antony, Brutus, and Octavius learn that the decisions they make today could very well be their death of tomorrow. Word Count: 923
