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How does Antony prove to the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious?

Question

How does Antony prove to the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious?

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Solution

In William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," Mark Antony proves to the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious through a powerful and persuasive speech. Here are the steps he takes:

  1. Antony begins by addressing the crowd respectfully, acknowledging that they are all "honorable men" who have been led to believe that Caesar was ambitious.

  2. He then presents evidence to the contrary. He reminds the crowd of Caesar's compassion for the poor, his refusal of the crown three times, and his weeping for the poor. These actions, Antony argues, are not the actions of an ambitious man.

  3. Antony also uses Caesar's will as a tool to sway the crowd. He reads out the will, which generously leaves money and public lands to the citizens of Rome. This further proves that Caesar cared for the people and was not solely driven by personal ambition.

  4. Antony also uses emotional appeal in his speech. He shows the crowd Caesar's bloody, lifeless body and points out the wounds that Brutus and the other conspirators inflicted. This stirs the crowd's emotions and makes them more receptive to Antony's argument.

  5. Finally, Antony repeatedly uses the phrase "But Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man." This is a form of verbal irony, as Antony is subtly suggesting that Brutus is not as honorable as he claims to be, and that his assertion of Caesar's ambition may not be reliable.

Through these steps, Antony successfully convinces the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious, turning public opinion against Brutus and the other conspirators.

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Antony follows Brutus’ conditions, but he uses verbal irony to sway the crowd.

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 .

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