Mark Antony fosters a strong sense of emotion in his compelling speech at Julius Caesar’s funeral to the Roman people in Act III, scene ii, lines 74-147. Antony prefaces the deliverance of his speech by calling Brutus and Cassius’ honorability into consideration, but ultimately criticizes them and ignites a fire of rage within the citizens of Rome. This scene occurs shortly after the assassination of Caesar. At this point, the Roman people hold the conspirators in high regard as the narrative of the execution is characterized as being for the benefit of the city. Throughout Antony’s speech, however, public opinion shifts dramatically against the conspirators. William Shakespeare utilizes the poetic devices of tone, refrain, and hyperbole throughout
…show more content…
Initially, Antony presents a tone of sincerity and relative agreement with the conspirators: “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him” (). However, as his oration progresses, so too does the tone toward a more dramatic categorization. While Antony prepares to read Caesar’s will to the Roman citizens, he indicates the specific wounds inflicted by Cassius and Brutus: “Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through...Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed” (). As a plebeian shouts, “O traitors, villains!” (), in reference to the conspirators, whom they recently supported, the transition of tone and subsequent public fondness is …show more content…
Antony’s hyperbolic statement, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,” () expresses his deep admiration for the fallen Julius Caesar and emphasizes his sense of loyalty, which allows the audience to empathize with him. Furthermore, Antony utilizes hyperbole and histrionic language as he uses Caesar’s will to taunt the funeral attendees: “they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds / And dip their napkins in his sacred blood” (). This is an obvious exaggeration, but serves the important purpose of describing the benefits of the will, which astutely appeals to the selfishness of the citizens. Mark Antony uses hyperbole to not only demonstrate his own grief, but irrevocably stimulate hatred toward the
Initially, Antony presents a tone of sincerity and relative agreement with the conspirators: “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him” (). However, as his oration progresses, so too does the tone toward a more dramatic categorization. While Antony prepares to read Caesar’s will to the Roman citizens, he indicates the specific wounds inflicted by Cassius and Brutus: “Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through...Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed” (). As a plebeian shouts, “O traitors, villains!” (), in reference to the conspirators, whom they recently supported, the transition of tone and subsequent public fondness is …show more content…
Antony’s hyperbolic statement, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,” () expresses his deep admiration for the fallen Julius Caesar and emphasizes his sense of loyalty, which allows the audience to empathize with him. Furthermore, Antony utilizes hyperbole and histrionic language as he uses Caesar’s will to taunt the funeral attendees: “they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds / And dip their napkins in his sacred blood” (). This is an obvious exaggeration, but serves the important purpose of describing the benefits of the will, which astutely appeals to the selfishness of the citizens. Mark Antony uses hyperbole to not only demonstrate his own grief, but irrevocably stimulate hatred toward the