How Do Brutus and Cassius Respond to Antony’s Speech?

Understanding the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination, especially the reactions of key figures like Brutus and Cassius to Mark Antony’s pivotal speech, is crucial. This moment in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” is a masterclass in political maneuvering and public persuasion. You might find yourself wondering how two seemingly powerful leaders, who just orchestrated a major political event, could be so thoroughly outmaneuvered. The Roman Forum buzzes with questions, and the fate of Rome hangs precariously in the balance. Let’s break down precisely how Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony’s speech and the dramatic consequences that follow.

The Immediate Aftermath: Controlling the Narrative

Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, the conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, found themselves in a precarious position. They had removed Caesar, whom they believed was a tyrant, but they needed the support of the Roman populace to legitimize their actions. Their immediate strategy was to present their deed as an act of republican liberation, not murder. This involved a carefully planned public address.

Brutus’s Attempt at Justification

Brutus, known for his noble intentions and eloquence, was the first to speak to the assembled Roman citizens. He approached the task with a sense of gravitas and sincerity. His speech aimed to reason with the crowd, appealing to their love for Rome and their fear of tyranny.

He presented the assassination as a necessary evil, a sacrifice for the greater good of the Republic. Brutus emphasized that Caesar had become too ambitious and that his continued rule would have led to the enslavement of the Roman people. He used logical arguments, framing the conspirators not as murderers, but as patriots who had saved Rome from dictatorship.

Brutus’s core arguments included:

• Caesar’s ambition threatened Roman liberty.
• The conspirators acted out of love for Rome.
• They respected Caesar’s past achievements but feared his future power.
• They pledged to uphold the Republic and serve the people.

His tone was earnest, almost sorrowful, and he genuinely believed he was convincing the citizens of the righteousness of their cause. The crowd initially seemed swayed, murmuring their assent and even applauding his words. They saw Brutus as an honorable man, and his logic seemed sound.

Cassius’s Less Successful Appeal

Cassius, more pragmatic and perhaps less attuned to the nuances of public sentiment, also addressed the crowd. While he agreed with Brutus’s reasoning, his approach was often perceived as more direct, and at times, more self-serving. He also highlighted Caesar’s ambition and the threat to the Republic.

Cassius’s speech was less about philosophical justification and more about the immediate danger Caesar posed. He might have focused more on Caesar’s perceived slights against the common people and the senators. However, Cassius was also openly resentful of Caesar and his personal ambitions. This underlying animosity, though perhaps understandable, was less effective in rallying broad support than Brutus’s nobler pronouncements.

The contrast between Brutus and Cassius in their initial public addresses is stark. Brutus appealed to ideals and reason, while Cassius focused on practical threats and personal grievances. While Brutus achieved a temporary consensus, Cassius’s words likely did little to solidify it.

Antony’s Strategic Masterpiece: The Funeral Oration

What Brutus and Cassius failed to anticipate was the power of Mark Antony. While they allowed him to live and even to speak at Caesar’s funeral – a decision that proved to be their gravest error – they underestimated his loyalty to Caesar and his formidable rhetorical skills. Antony, a loyal friend and a shrewd politician, saw an opportunity amidst the chaos.

Setting the Stage: Antony’s Entry

Antony enters the scene with Caesar’s body. He is seemingly distraught, his grief palpable. Brutus, still confident in his ability to control the situation, grants Antony permission to speak, but with strict conditions: Antony must not blame the conspirators, must speak well of Caesar, and must acknowledge that he speaks with their permission. These conditions, intended to ensure Antony’s speech remained benign, ultimately become the very tools Antony uses to his advantage.

Antony’s initial approach is one of feigned submission:

• He acknowledges the conspirators’ power and their supposed wisdom.
• He states he has come to bury Caesar, not to praise him, and to speak with their leave.
• He emphasizes his love for Caesar, which he claims is not so great as to make him more “lamentable” than Brutus.

This humble posture disarms both the conspirators and the crowd, setting the stage for his devastatingly effective oration.

The Art of Persuasion: Antony’s Rhetorical Devices

Antony’s speech is a masterclass in rhetoric, employing several persuasive techniques that gradually shift the crowd’s sentiment from tentative acceptance of the assassination to outright outrage.

Key rhetorical strategies Antony employs:

• Irony and Sarcasm: He repeatedly refers to the conspirators as “honorable men,” a clear jab at their actions and intentions.
• Repetition: The phrase “and Brutus is an honourable man” is repeated, each time gaining a more ironic and accusatory tone.
• Appealing to Emotion (Pathos): Antony masterfully evokes pity by describing Caesar’s dying moments and the gruesome wounds inflicted upon him. He reads from Caesar’s will, personalizing Caesar as a beloved figure who cared for the common people.
• Appealing to Logic (Logos), Subverted: While ostensibly agreeing that Caesar was ambitious, Antony presents evidence to the contrary. He points out Caesar’s refusals of the crown multiple times and showcases the spoils of war and captured rebels he brought back to Rome.
• Building Suspicion: He subtly plants seeds of doubt about the conspirators’ motives, suggesting they might have had personal grievances or ulterior motives beyond saving the Republic.
• Creating a Narrative of Betrayal: By showing Caesar’s bloody mantle and recounting his wounds, Antony transforms Caesar from a potentially dangerous leader into a martyred hero.

The famous passage where Antony describes Caesar’s wounds is particularly powerful:

“O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, whilst virtue itself trod upon us. But, O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O Rome! Rome! If thy spirit were here, it would not stoop to this vile blow.
…
Here, here, did Caesar bleed; for, as you know, and Brutus knew, When the most noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquished him. Then best of all he did, the noble Caesar, And from his mantle most ungratefully, As you see, did his bloody daggers hang, And to that was his whole body burned, In gash’d with many a deep wound, like a sieve,
…
Here is where Antony presents Caesar’s will.”

This vivid description, combined with the reading of Caesar’s will – which bequeaths gifts to the Roman people – ignites the crowd’s grief and anger. They begin to see Caesar not as a threat, but as a benevolent ruler who was brutally murdered by envious men.

The Turning Tide: Brutus and Cassius’s Alarm

As Antony’s speech progresses, Brutus and Cassius begin to realize their grave miscalculation. They watch with growing horror as the crowd’s mood shifts dramatically. The murmurs of agreement with Brutus turn into cries of rage and demands for vengeance against the conspirators.

Initial Confidence Fades

Initially, Brutus might have felt a sense of smug assurance, believing his honest words had appeased the masses. Cassius, ever the pragmatist, might have been more concerned about maintaining control, but even he would not have predicted the emotional tsunami Antony unleashed.

Their growing unease is evident in their non-verbal cues and brief exchanges:

• Brutus visibly falters as the crowd turns.
• Cassius likely exchanges worried glances with Brutus.
• They realize their appeals to reason have been drowned out by Antony’s appeals to emotion.

Pro Tip: When dealing with official matters in Dubai, such as applying for permits or resolving disputes, always ensure you understand the communication channels and the correct protocols. Misinterpreting official statements can lead to significant misunderstandings, much like Brutus and Cassius misunderstood Antony’s intentions.

The Escalation of Fury

The crowd, whipped into a frenzy by Antony, transforms from a potentially neutral or even supportive audience into a dangerous mob. They are no longer listening to Brutus’s justifications but are consumed by a thirst for revenge.