JULIUS CAESAR

1. Compare and contrast the funeral orations of Brutus and Mark Antony?

Introduction
Julius Caesar is one of the most famous plays of Shakespeare. This
tragic play deals with Mark Antonys avenging for Caesars murder. Julius
Caesar defeats the sons of pompey and returns to Rome Victoriously.
Cassius, Brutus and others fear that Caesars victories would make him
autocratic so, they plan to kill him. Despite the warning given by the
soothsayer and his wife Calphurnia, Caesar goes to the senate house, where
the conspirators surround and kill him at the Senate house. When Caesar
sees his friends Brutus with a sword, he dies with an anguished cry you too
Brutus? Brutus justifies the murder of Caesar. Mark Antony, Caesars
friend moves the public to avenge Caesars murder.

FUNERAL SPEECH OF BRUTUS.

Julius Caesar is known for the oratorical skill of Mark Antony. The
Funeral speeches of Brutus and Antony are perfect contrasts to each other.
Brutus talks to the people to explain his stand. It makes some impression on
the Roman Mob. Addressing the mob as Romans, countrymen and lovers, he
appeals to them to hear him for his cause and judge him by their wisdom.
He asserts that his love for Caesar is greater than anybody in the crowd.
But he had to kill him because he loved Rome more. If Caesar were to live,
the Romans would become slaves. Now they are free. He points out that he
had to kill Caesar for his ambition and ends stating that he is equally country
are good.

As he was valiant, I honour him; but

As he was ambitious, I slew him.

FUNERAL SPEECH OF ANTONY.

Antony in his long speech disproves Brutus charges. Stating that he has
come to bury Caesar and not to praise him, he points out how Caesar had
sent the captives ransoms to the public treasury, went when the poor had
suffered and refused to accept the crown thrice. He convinces his audience
that Caesar was not ambitious. Sensing that there is a considerable change
of heart in the assembly; he suddenly produces Caesars will and refused to
read it for fear consequences against the honourable men.

DIFFRENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SPEECHESP:

 There are several points of contrast between two speeches. Brutus
talks to a willing audience. Antony talks to a hostile audience. Brutus
object is to calm their minds. Antonys object is to rouse their spirits.
Brutus speech is short. Antonys speech is long. Brutus makes no pauses.
Antony makes many pauses. Brutus appeals to their reason. Brutus had
killed Caesar. By saying This was the most unkindest cut of all,

CONCLUSION:

There Antony says that he is not a great orator like Brutus, he succeeds
in his attempt with his eloquence, and wins the public over to his side.
Eventually a riot breaks out and people are moved to frenzy to avenge the
murder of Caesar.