Mark Antony Rhetorical Analysis

Mark Antony is the most astute politician in the ‘Julius Caesar’ play. The manner in which Antony manipulates the conspirators and Caesar, influences the crowds and turns unfavourable events to his favour will be critically examined in this essay.

Antony is loyal to Caesar throughout the play, however he uses this loyalty to his own advantage. Caesar trusted Antony. When he was worried about Cassius he asked for Antony’s opinion. Antony said ‘Fear him not, Caesar, he’s not dangerous. He is a noble Roman, and well given.’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). This statement could be seen as ignorant; however, it could have also been Antony’s first advance to power. Antony knew that Caesar trusted him and used this to his advantage. From the beginning

of the play, the subtle manipulation through Antony’s actions can be identified. Antony also manipulates the conspirators. He uses his loyalty to Caesar to convince the conspirators to allow him to speak at the funeral. Antony shakes hands with the conspirators and befriends them saying, ‘Friends I am with you all, and love you all’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). Through the shaking of hands and declaring their friendship, Antony shows signs of peace and forgiveness. However, this is just another tactic for his revenge and another step on his journey towards power.

Antony uses persuasion as a tactic to gain power amongst the plebeians.

Antony’s persuasion is subtle and comes about through his diction and use of rhetorical questions in his speech at Caesar’s funeral. Antony chooses his diction carefully and uses it to influence the thoughts and answers of the masses at the funeral. The use of rhetorical questions directs the minds of the plebeians, not only to see the good in Caesar, however to see the bad in the conspirators who are referred to as ‘honourable men’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). Antony repeats the phrase ‘honourable men’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). By repeating ‘honourable men’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015) the importance and significance of the phrase is being slowing lost, and towards the end becomes a cliché. Antony carefully places this phrase alongside the wrongs of the conspirators. ‘I fear I wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabb’d Caesar’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). This statement influences how the plebeians view the conspirators and they start calling them ‘traitors’, ‘villains’ and ‘murderers’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). Through the speech, Antony is able to influence the plebeians to avenge the death of Caesar and to follow Antony into battle against the

conspirators.

There were four politicians in this play that could have been made head of Rome.

These four are; Caesar, Cassius, Brutus and Antony. Caesar was originally head of Rome and had many good qualities. He was a great soldier, he was popular amongst the plebeians and he defeated the sons of the previous ruler. However, Caesar was physically weak, a tyrant, indecisive and unwilling to change, which essentially lead to his murder. Brutus was a respected Roman, honest and sincere. He believes that the role he played in the murder of Caesar was what was best for Rome. He is a good leader when he leads with someone by his side, however buckles the moment he is expected to lead alone. This is shown in battle against Mark Antony, when Brutus ‘overcame himself’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015) after Cassius’s death. Cassius was the other leader of the conspiracy. He was corrupt, a military strategist and politically astute. Cassius told Brutus to kill Antony at the same time as Caesar because he is ‘a shrewd contriver’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). Cassius was able to access the situation and attempted to use it to their advantage. Brutus did not believe this was necessary as Antony ‘can do no more than Caesar’s arm when Caesar’s head is off’ (Shakespeare, et al., 2015). Antony was manipulative, clever and a skilled orator. Antony manipulated the conspirators and use the opportunity to stir the crowd and encourage revenge. He assessed the situation, and unlike Cassius, used it to his advantage.

Through this it can be identified that Antony was indeed the most notably astute politician in the play, as he was able to manipulate to his advantage.

Therefore, through the evidence that was critically examined in this essay, it can be said that Mark Antony was the most notably astute politician in the play. Antony was the only politician who succeeded in turning the situation to his advantage and resulting in the downfall of the other politicians. Mark Antony turned the unfavourable events into events that favoured him and his leadership.