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Was Julius Caesar Justified In Brutus's Speech

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In (Act III, scene ii) of Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus, one of the conspirators in the plot to kill Caesar, makes a case to justify why this noble man had to die. After this speech, Caesar’s errand boy Antony, goes to speak about Caesar and pay his respects for the crowd. But while reading his speech, his true intentions are revealed. Despite saying he would not, he argues against Brutus, pitting the crowd against him. What caused Antony to triumph over Brutus? What did he do different that was better than Brutus’s speech? This is an analysis on Brutus’s speech, and what he succeeded, and failed to do with it. Brutus gave the audience zero evidence on why Caesar had to die. He cites his ambition, but is ambition really bad? “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” (Anderson, 831) Brutus is also incredibly vague in his speech, and overestimates his audience. He thought they were capable of higher order thinking despite the mob mentality. Brutus is naive as well, believing that just because he is honorable and honest, so too will everyone …show more content…
Antony went for a far more emotional appeal, while Brutus thought he could use Logos to get through to the crowd. Brutus was making Caesar into an untouchable, dangerous tyrant, but Antony, made Caesar relatable and his death a cruel betrayal. Brutus was acting almost as though he were a politician, while Antony, even descends from the pulpit, symbolizing how easy he is to reach and relate to. Antony even cries to show just how upset he is over Caesar’s undeserved death. Antony had the advantage of going second as well, being able to start off as being in agreement with his opponent, only to slowly turn the tide against him. These strategies employed by Brutus and Antony are employed even

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