THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ACT 3.2-3.2
How do Brutus and Mark Antony differ in their understanding of their audience, the Roman crowd?
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Brutus overlooks that the majority of the crowd served Julius Caesar the military general. He appeals to their citizenship as Romans by calling them first by that name in his salutation: "Romans, countrymen, lovers." Mark Antony, however, speaks in terms understood by the military, by calling them first by, "Friends, Romans, countrymen." He recalls not only Caesar the general but Caesar the friend, whose body they see covered with stab wounds.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: But as he was ambitious, I slew him. . . . Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. What type of rhetorical device is used in the bolded lines? What message in Brutus' speech does he try to emphasize by using this device?
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Brutus uses epimone in the bolded lines. He uses this rhetorical device to show the logic of Caesar's assassination: it was for the good of Rome.
Discuss the reasons the people sided with Mark Antony. Explain your answer by discussing each speaker's use of persuasive language, including the appeals to pathos and logos as well as the rhetorical devices.
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Brutus uses logos to explain logically and rationally the reason for Caesar's assassination. He appeals to reason using epimone—that any Roman would want freedom for the Republic over Caesar's dictatorship—to defend the assassination of Caesar, a man he did indeed love. Mark Antony relies on the rhetoric of pathos, including using Caesar's stabbed corpse, memories of his military career, tears, and heavy, emotional language to provoke the crowd. He manipulates them to turn against the conspirators by using subtle attacks against Brutus' reputation. His rebuttal of Brutus' claims calls into question Brutus' honor and integrity. By the end of his speech, the Romans are rioting, calling for the deaths of Caesar's murderers.
When the plebeians encounter Cinna the poet in act 3.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, they mistake him for Cinna the conspirator and shout, "Tear him to pieces!" What does their reaction to Cinna the poet reveal about their character? They are unaware that there are two men named Cinna. They are angry and blinded by revenge. They are lonely and saddened by Caesar's death. They are trying to scare the conspirators out of town but mean no actual physical harm to them.
They are angry and blinded by revenge.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: . . . I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. . . . 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. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Which statement summarizes the main idea of Brutus' speech? Though Brutus loved Caesar, his love for Rome outweighed it, so he assassinated the ambitious Caesar in Rome's best interest. Brutus does not give any reason for assassinating Caesar; he was simply following along with the conspirators' plan. Brutus did not like Caesar because Caesar accused him of being ambitious; therefore, Brutus killed him. Brutus loved Caesar and participated in the assassination against his will; therefore, he condemns the ambitious conspirators for their actions.
Though Brutus loved Caesar, his love for Rome outweighed it, so he assassinated the ambitious Caesar in Rome's best interest.
Which form does Mark Antony's speech use? blank verse prose sonnet rhymed iambic pentameter
blank verse
Based on his speech in act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, which word does not describe Brutus? stoic emotional naïve rational
emotional
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: But as he was ambitious, I slew him. . . . Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Which rhetorical device does Brutus use in this excerpt? antithesis paralipsis epimone metonymy
epimone
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ANTONY: But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar. . . . 'Tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament— Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read . . . . All the Plebeians: The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will. ANTONY: Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. . . . It will inflame you; it will make you mad. 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs . . . . Which rhetorical device does Mark Antony use in this excerpt? epimone antithesis metonymy paralipsis
paralipsis
Which form does Brutus' speech use? blank verse prose sonnet rhymed iambic pentameter
prose
Read the excerpt below from act 3.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. Third Plebeian: Your name, sir, truly. CINNA THE POET: Truly, my name is Cinna. First Plebeian: Tear him to pieces! He's a conspirator! CINNA THE POET: I am Cinna the Poet, I am Cinna the Poet! Fourth Plebeian: Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses! CINNA THE POET: I am not Cinna the conspirator! . . . Third Plebeian: Tear him; tear him! [The plebeians beat Cinna the Poet] Which word describes the character traits of the plebeian mob best? friendly sad cruel kind
cruel
How do the poetic forms of Brutus' and Mark Antony's speeches reflect their characters? Brutus' speech is written in prose, which is used to show rational thought. Mark Antony's speech uses blank verse, which matches his passion and emotion. Brutus' speech is written in blank verse, which is used to show rational thought. Mark Antony's speech uses blank verse, which matches his passion and emotion. Brutus' speech is written in blank verse, which is used to show rational thought. Mark Antony's speech uses prose, which matches his passion and emotion. Brutus' speech is written in iambic pentameter, which is used to show rational thought. Mark Antony's speech uses prose, which matches his passion and emotion.
Brutus' speech is written in prose, which is used to show rational thought. Mark Antony's speech uses blank verse, which matches his passion and emotion.
Which choice correctly labels the form used in Brutus' and Mark Antony's eulogies? Brutus: blank verse; Mark Antony: prose Brutus: prose; Mark Antony: prose Brutus: prose; Mark Antony: blank verse Brutus: blank verse; Mark Antony: blank verse
Brutus: prose; Mark Antony: blank verse
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: But as he was ambitious, I slew him. . . . Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Which message in his speech does Brutus try to support when he uses epimone? Caesar will be sorely missed by Romans. Caesar's assassination was to help restore freedom to the Roman Republic. Caesar's assassination stopped him from being the kind of ruler who cared more about his own welfare than that of his country. Caesar was disliked by many, but he didn't deserve to be assassinated.
Caesar's assassination was to help restore freedom to the Roman Republic.
Which statement summarizes the main idea of Mark Antony's speech best? Mark Antony fully supports the conspirators' actions because Caesar was ambitious, even though Caesar tried to act genuine by naming the people as his heirs in his will; mutiny is not an expected reaction from the Roman crowd. Mark Antony fully supports Brutus as the next dictator of Rome because Caesar was overly ambitious and harmful to Rome; mutiny might be an expected reaction from the Roman crowd. Mark Antony refutes Brutus' accusations of Caesar being overly ambitious by giving examples of his humility and his great love for Romans, whom he named as heirs in his will; mutiny might be an expected reaction from the Roman crowd. Mark Antony is too overcome with grief at the loss of Caesar to give an effective speech, so the crowd is not aware of Caesar's ambition; mutiny is not an expected reaction from the Roman crowd.
Mark Antony refutes Brutus' accusations of Caesar being overly ambitious by giving examples of his humility and his great love for Romans, whom he named as heirs in his will; mutiny might be an expected reaction from the Roman crowd.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ANTONY: But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. 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, And sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, . . . . Based on Mark Antony's argument in the above speech, why does he repeat the line, "But Brutus says he was ambitious,/And Brutus is an honorable man"? Mark Antony repeats that line to support Brutus by giving examples that prove that Caesar was ambitious. Mark Antony repeats that line to discredit Brutus by giving examples that prove that Caesar was not ambitious. Mark Antony repeats that line to support Octavius as the rightful heir to Caesar's position. Mark Antony repeats that line to encourage Brutus in becoming Caesar's heir.
Mark Antony repeats that line to discredit Brutus by giving examples that prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ANTONY: But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar. . . . 'Tis his will. Let but the commons hear this testament— Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read . . . . All the Plebeians: The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will. ANTONY: Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. . . . It will inflame you; it will make you mad. 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs . . . . How is Mark Antony's use of paralipsis effective in manipulating the audience in the above excerpt? Mark Antony uses paralipsis to distract the audience from the will and they forget about it. Mark Antony uses paralipsis by refusing to read the will to the Romans because it does not mention them as heirs. Mark Antony uses paralipsis to explain the assassination plot. Mark Antony uses paralipsis to draw attention to the will as he seems to ignore or avoid it.
Mark Antony uses paralipsis to draw attention to the will as he seems to ignore or avoid it.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ANTONY: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle1. I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on. 'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii2. Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made. Through this the well-belovèd Brutus stabbed; 1. A cloak. 2. One of Caesar's military conquests. Why does Mark Antony first recall Caesar's military background and then show the Roman crowd Caesar's body? Mark Antony wants to manipulate the members of the Roman army, who are in the crowd, by recalling Caesar's military success and then provoke their emotions by showing them Caesar's stabbed body. Mark Antony wants to manipulate the members of the Roman army, who are in the crowd, to support the conspirators for having rightfully assassinated Caesar. Mark Antony wants to manipulate the conspirators, who are in the crowd, to accept Octavius as the new dictator by showing them Caesar's stabbed body. Mark Antony wants to manipulate the members of the Roman army, who are in the crowd, to support the conspirators in a war against Octavius by recalling Caesar's military success.
Mark Antony wants to manipulate the members of the Roman army, who are in the crowd, by recalling Caesar's military success and then provoke their emotions by showing them Caesar's stabbed body.
Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ANTONY: But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. 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, And sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, . . . . Based on Mark Antony's argument in the above speech, why does he repeat the line, "But Brutus says he is ambitious,/And Brutus is an honorable man"?
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Mark Antony uses this portion of his speech as a rebuttal to Brutus' case that he slew Caesar because Caesar was ambitious. Not only does he pair Brutus' claim with a statement about Brutus' reputation, but then Mark Antony refutes Brutus' statement by showing the ways that Caesar was not ambitious. He shows that this "honorable man" does not have his facts in order, suggesting he is not so honorable.
Describe the ways that Brutus' use of logos and Mark Antony's use of pathos in their speeches reveal their character traits.
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The use of logos is characterized by a logical and rational explanation of the facts. Brutus' speech utilizes logos to state simply that he killed Caesar because he "loved Rome more." Brutus' lack of pathos, or appeal to emotion, also aligns with his stoic nature. On the other hand, Mark Antony fully employs the use of pathos to affect his audience's emotions. Whether he invokes memories of Caesar, talks about his friendship with Caesar, or shows the audience the stab wounds in Caesar's body, Antony knows how to manipulate the audience's emotions to his own end. In this case, he wants the Romans to turn against the conspirators and rebel. His speech achieves that end.
