Antony follows Brutus’ conditions, but he uses verbal irony to sway the crowd.
Question
Antony follows Brutus’ conditions, but he uses verbal irony to sway the crowd.
Solution
This statement refers to a scene from William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar". After Brutus has justified Caesar's assassination to the Roman public, he allows Antony to speak, under the condition that Antony only says positive things about the conspirators. Antony agrees, but he uses verbal irony to turn the crowd against the conspirators.
-
Antony begins his speech by addressing the crowd with respect, calling them "Friends, Romans, countrymen". This is a strategic move to gain their trust and attention.
-
He then proceeds to say that he has come to bury Caesar, not to praise him, which is ironic because his entire speech is a praise of Caesar's deeds and a critique of the conspirators.
-
Antony repeatedly refers to the conspirators as "honorable men", but with each repetition, the phrase becomes more sarcastic and less sincere. This is verbal irony, as Antony is saying one thing (that the conspirators are honorable) but means the opposite (that they are dishonorable).
-
Antony also uses Caesar's will and the display of Caesar's wounded body to stir the emotions of the crowd. He manipulates the crowd's feelings of pity and outrage to turn them against the conspirators.
-
By the end of Antony's speech, the crowd is so moved that they riot against the conspirators, leading to their downfall. Antony has cleverly used Brutus' conditions to his advantage, using verbal irony to sway the crowd's opinion.
Similar Questions
Compare the speeches given by Antony and Brutus
How does Antony prove to the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious?
Brutus lists the conditions that Antony must follow at Caesar’s funeral.
ulius Caesarby William Shakespeare(excerpt from Act 3, Scene II)In the prior acts of Julius Caesar, noble Romans have conspired against their leader, Caesar, and assassinated him. In this scene, Brutus, a well-respected man and longtime friend of Caesar, has addressed the people of Rome to explain why they've conspired against Caesar. Marc Antony, another longtime friend of Caesar, also gives a speech.MARC ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.The evil that men do lives after them;The good is oft interrèd with their bones.So let it be with Caesar. The noble BrutusHath told you Caesar was ambitious.If it were so, it was a grievous fault,And grievously hath Caesar answered it.Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—For Brutus is an honorable man;So are they all, all honorable men—Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.He was my friend, faithful and just to me.But Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.He hath brought many captives home to RomeWhose 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 LupercalI 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,But here I am to speak what I do know.You all did love him once, not without cause.What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?2Select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.Who is most likely the intended audience for Marc Antony’s speech?Marc Antony intends for his speech to affect .
Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare(excerpt from Act 3, Scene II)In the prior acts of Julius Caesar, noble Romans have conspired against their leader, Caesar, and assassinated him. In this scene, Brutus, a well-respected man and longtime friend of Caesar, addresses the people of Rome to explain his participation in the act.BRUTUS: Had you rather Caesar were living anddie all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to liveall free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he wasvaliant, I honor him: but, as he was ambitious, Islew him. There is tears for his love, joy for hisfortune, honor for his valor, and death for hisambition. Who is here so base that would be abondman? If any, speak—for him have I offended.Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? Ifany, speak—for him have I offended. Who is here sovile that will not love his country? If any, speak—for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.3Select the correct answer.How is the representation of Julius Caesar similar in both the text and the statue? A. Both portray Julius Caesar as a flawed human. B. Both portray a conspiracy against Caesar. C. Both portray Julius Caesar as a loyal leader. D. Both portray Julius Caesar as courageous.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.