How Is Julius Caesar Justified

Caesar

The death of Caesar left Rome in a state of chaos. A once strong nation was left divided over the death of a single man. Many Romans loved Caesar and believed he was noble man with noble pursuits for Rome. Others felt Caesar was too ambitious and that his rule would be similar to that of an early Roman dictator. The two speeches Antony and Brutus give following Caesar's death reflect these viewpoints quite accurately.

Brutus is one of Caesars closest friends who later on becomes a conspirator and stabs Caesar. In previous years Rome had suffered at the hands of a cruel tyrant Brutus uses this in his speech, playing off of the crowd's fear of tyranny. Brutus states "Has you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?" (III.ii.50-50) essentially equating Caesar's rule to that of a slave master. Brutus is able to gain trust and justify his actions by proclaiming his love for Caesar and Rome stating "not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more"

Antony is able to convince the crowd that despite his faults Caesar acted for the best of Rome. He does this be first informing the citizens of all the good that Caesar has done for Rome, and denying Brutus' claims that Caesar was ambitious. Antony reminds them "You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? " he then moves on to inform them that Caesar had a will that would give money and land to all Roman citizens. Finally, Antony dramatically shows the crowd Caesar's body and how the conspirators mutilated it however, he never once speaks badly about them going as far to say "For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!". Afterwards the crowd delves into a fit of rage and condemns the