Tanisha Bhavnani

Mrs. Howard
10th Literature-2B
September 24, 2012
Julius Caesar
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is written by William Shakespeare. This story revolves
around Julius Caesar, the leader of Rome. The people of Rome look up to him, but eventually he
gets very arrogant and cocky about his achievements. Soon after, Brutus and Cassius, two very
powerful men close to Caesar, decide to kill him. As the story progresses, we see how Brutus,
Cassius, and the conspirators kill Caesar and how Caesars beloved Mark Antony plans to get
revenge. Brutus and Mark Antonys funeral speeches end up being a major turning point in the
story.
The funeral speeches by Brutus and Mark Antony are similar and different in many ways.
The 1st similarity is that the both take place in the forum. Brutus and Antony both quote that they
loved Caesar. Brutus says To him I say that/ Brutus love to Caesar was no less than his (lines
18-19). Antony also says He was my friend, faithful, and just to me (line 85). They both also
claim that whatever they are saying is for Romes good. Brutus states Not that I loved Caesar
less, but I loved/Rome more (Lines 21-22). Antony also states Put a tongue/in every wound of
Caesar that would move/ the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny (lines 228-230). The 3rd
similarity in their speeches is that they both address the crowds as Romans and countrymen
(lines 13 and 73). A difference that is easy to see in both speeches is that Brutus was against
Caesar and Antony was for (lines 21-22 and 106-107). Another difference that is easy to notice
in the speeches is that Brutus thinks that Caesar was ambitious (line 26), while Antony thought

he was caring. Antony claims that Caesar left each of them 75 Drachmas and public recreation
areas (lines 242 and 250).
The turning point in Antonys speech was when he announces that Caesar left a will for
the Romans. He quotes I found it in his closet; tis his will (line 129). Antony uses Pathos quite
often in his speech. He uses emotional appeal to enhance his argument and get the Romans on
his side. An example is when he says When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept (line
91). After Mark Antony reads Caesars will, the crowd goes into frenzy. Mark Antony tries to
speak again, but the crowd is drowning his sound out. This is when a Plebeian says Peace
There! Hear the noble Antony (line 207). This quote shows that the crowd believes him because
they respect him, also known as Ethos. This helps make Mark Antonys speech even more
persuasive because they think Mark Antony is trustworthy and a reliable source. Afterwards,
when Mark Antony is showing Caesars body he states You all do know this mantle; I
remember/the first time ever Caesar put it on: / Twas was on a summers evening, in his tent,
/that day he overcame the Nervii (lines 170-173). Mark Antony was giving a fact to back up his
claims and convey the audience.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a story that revolves around betrayal and fear.
Throughout the story, it is seen that people would give up personal morals for the greater good.
Overall, this story is a prime example of political turmoil and it comes to show that sometimes
when a person tries to do something good for a group of people, it might end up backfiring.