In the book Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the speech that Antony gives at Caesar’s funeral is more effective than that of Brutus’, due to the differences Brutus and Antony have on what they believe will be most effective in persuading the plebeians to support them. They have different views on gravitas, and how it will serve them in persuading the plebeians. There are also differences in how they speak to them, including the use of verbal irony and sarcasm, or their straightforwardness. In addition, Antony relies on pathos to make his point, while Brutus uses logos. Due to the way Antony defends his side of the argument, the plebeians side with him, and later end up killing Brutus and the rest of the conspirators. During the funeral
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While Brutus is straightforward and blunt on his view of the situation, Antony uses verbal irony and sarcasm to make his point. For example, at first, all the Romans believe that Brutus and the other conspirators are honorable men. Antony, who is not allowed to speak poorly of them, brings up times and points to make them seem less so, and brings up points to show times when they were wrong, these men who, according to Antony, “you all know are honorable men” (JC III, II, 136). This is considered verbal irony, because although he calls the conspirators honorable men, he believes the opposite. However, Brutus speaks in a very straightforward manner, meaning every word he says. He is doing what he thinks is right, and is honorable in the fact that he tells what he believes to be the truth when at Caesar’s funeral, telling the plebeians “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome” (JC III, II, 47-48) If Brutus were to speak the plebeians in a more empathetic way, they might be more understanding of his reasoning, and side with him instead of Antony. Brutus is blunt when speaking to the plebeians, while Antony is sarcastic, one of the reasons Antony’s speech is more effective than that of …show more content…
When they speak at the funeral, Brutus uses facts to back his reasoning, and tries to explain to the plebeians that what killing Caesar was the right choice to make. He tells them this information in a way so that they do not think that he killed Caesar for his personal gain. He tells them, “there is joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition.” (JC III, II, 106-107) trying to make a logical point that Caesar was too ambitious, and that he killed him for the good of Rome. On the other hand, Antony uses pathos in his speech, targeting the plebeians emotions to pin them against the conspirators. Antony during his speech, tells them “ My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” (JC III, II, 116). Antony’s speech gains the hearts of the romans, ultimately causing them to go against the conspirators. During his speech he focuses on emotions, while Brutus focuses on facts and reasoning, this being the main reason behind Antony’s winning of the plebeians favor during his speech at Caesar’s
While Brutus is straightforward and blunt on his view of the situation, Antony uses verbal irony and sarcasm to make his point. For example, at first, all the Romans believe that Brutus and the other conspirators are honorable men. Antony, who is not allowed to speak poorly of them, brings up times and points to make them seem less so, and brings up points to show times when they were wrong, these men who, according to Antony, “you all know are honorable men” (JC III, II, 136). This is considered verbal irony, because although he calls the conspirators honorable men, he believes the opposite. However, Brutus speaks in a very straightforward manner, meaning every word he says. He is doing what he thinks is right, and is honorable in the fact that he tells what he believes to be the truth when at Caesar’s funeral, telling the plebeians “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome” (JC III, II, 47-48) If Brutus were to speak the plebeians in a more empathetic way, they might be more understanding of his reasoning, and side with him instead of Antony. Brutus is blunt when speaking to the plebeians, while Antony is sarcastic, one of the reasons Antony’s speech is more effective than that of …show more content…
When they speak at the funeral, Brutus uses facts to back his reasoning, and tries to explain to the plebeians that what killing Caesar was the right choice to make. He tells them this information in a way so that they do not think that he killed Caesar for his personal gain. He tells them, “there is joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition.” (JC III, II, 106-107) trying to make a logical point that Caesar was too ambitious, and that he killed him for the good of Rome. On the other hand, Antony uses pathos in his speech, targeting the plebeians emotions to pin them against the conspirators. Antony during his speech, tells them “ My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” (JC III, II, 116). Antony’s speech gains the hearts of the romans, ultimately causing them to go against the conspirators. During his speech he focuses on emotions, while Brutus focuses on facts and reasoning, this being the main reason behind Antony’s winning of the plebeians favor during his speech at Caesar’s