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Will Misiek

English 2
2/28/17

Brutus and Antony Speech

In the play Julius Caesar, two speeches are given after Caesar is killed. One by Brutus,

one by Antony, and both show very good points on why they did what they did. Brutus explains

in his speech that Caesar was ambitious and would destroy Rome, that was why he killed him.

Antony states that Caesar was not ambitious and he was a good man, also stating that they should

rebel against the senate.

In this paper I will show that Antonys speech was better than Brutuss speech.

The first rhetorical strategy used by both speakers was repetition, because they state a

question or a memorable statement. Brutus states in his speech many different times For him I

have offended.(III.ii) because he states that if you dont like him killing Caesar, than you dont

like Rome. As he states this he brings up many points that no normal person would say because it

can offend some people and also it shows that he sort of manipulates the crowd so that they side

with his cause. Also in the speech Brutus sort of implies after he asked the questions was that

killing Caesar was not a bad thing but it has effected know one. In Antonys speech he show how

he used the rhetorical strategy by using the same phrase For Brutus is an honourable

man.(III.ii) He states this many times after stating ways how Caesar wanted to help Rome, not

destroy it. He gave money back to the people of Rome after he captured people. He did whatever

he could to help Rome be a better place. This shows that Antony contradicts the statements given
by Brutus and showing the Brutus is actually not a honourable man. Antony won this one

because he shows that Caesar was not ambitious and that takes what Brutus says makes it false.

The second rhetorical strategy used by both parties is cause and effect, because in both

speeches, they state how each person's cause has some sort of effect. In Brutuss speech he states

that Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than Caesar dead to live all free

men.(III.ii) This states that if Caesar were still alive, cause, then you would all die slaves, effect,

or if Caesar were dead, cause , then you all live as free men. In Antonys speech he states that

You all did see that on the lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice

refuse: was this ambition, yet Brutus says he was ambitious.(III.ii) This shows that Caesar was

offered a crown three times, cause, and he refused it three time yet he was said to be ambitious,

effect. This shows that Antony sort of manipulates the crowd by saying that Brutus was wrong

but yet then agreed that he was an honourable man. Antony won this one because he states that

Brutus says he was ambitious but he says that he was not and gives evidence to support that.

The third rhetorical strategy used was reputation, because in both speeches they go to

their credibility to sway the crowd to believe them. In Brutuss speech he states that Believe me

for mine honour, and have respect for mine honour, that you may believe.(III.ii) This shows that

Brutus is honorable and he knows what he is talking about and that ways the crowd to believe

that Caesar was ambitious. One moment the crowd thinks that Caesar is a god but after he says

this he is loved by them all. In Antonys speech he states that I should do Brutus wrong, and

Cassius wrong, who you all know are honorable men.(III.ii) This is how Antony tells the crowd

how he does not have much power and he knows what he is talking about. This sways the crowd

to go with Antony and rebel against the senate. Antony won this one because he states that

Brutus lied so that he could kill Caesar and that make the crowd sway towards Antony.
In conclusion I think that Antony did a better job at delivering the speech to the Romans

that Brutus did because Brutus does not get the crowed in his favor at the end the crowd sways

towards Antony and makes the Romans rebel against the senate. Also he shows that Antony

touched the crowed and that may have been different if Brutus went last but Antony did a better

job at delivering the speech than Brutus.

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