Julius Caesar And Antony True Friends Analysis

Caesar and Antony, True Friends to the End? It is important to note that Antony and Caesar were relatives as well as being close friends. Caesar was Antony’s mother’s cousin. It was because of this relationship that Antony became a member of Caesars military staff in 54 BC. Antony courageously fought for Caesar in the Gallic Wars; it was during this time that he and Caesar became very close friends. Antony was Caesar’s second in command during the time of his first dictatorship and by 48 BC Antony was in Greece at the Battle of Pharsalus. Although Antony was expelled from the senate a year later by anti-Caesar groups by the year 44 BC Antony was Caesars co-consul. Even after Caesar’s brutal assassination when the citizens were ready …show more content…
Antony is all too willing to agree with anything and everything Caesar has to say. After Antony is ordered to touch the unfertile Calpurnia in hopes that she would then be able to have children he declares "When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd."(Act 1.Scene 2). In contrast, if Antony’s speech about Brutus comes into play when he calls Brutus the "noblest Roman of them all" (Act 5.Scene 5), after Brutus’ death. Is Antony being truthful considering they had just fought in a civil war against each other? This brings up further discussion as to what brought about the death of Caesar and how Antony talked about his …show more content…
Before this appointment Antony had offered Caesar the crown three times, which Caesar dramatically refused. During Marc Antony’s eulogy for Caesar he says “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?” (Act 3, Scene 2). However, the Senators were fearful of his growing popularity with common citizens as they felt he was a threat to the Roman Republic. An example of this is given in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar the “Second Commoner” says “But, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph” to the two Senate member Flavius and Marullus. (Act 1, Scene 1). Even though Caesars rule as Dictator was regarded as prosperous for the Roman Empire, the Senators feared him to be too popular which lead to the conspiracy of his murder. During the Festival of Lupercal a Soothsayer even approached Caesar and says “Beware the ides of March” but his warning is not taken seriously. (Act 1, Scene 2). His wife Calpurnia even tells him about her dream where Pompey’s statue was dripping with blood and Caesar was laying dead in front of it. All of these events are leading to the tragic end for