Mark Antony's Loyalty In Julius Caesar Analysis

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Mark Antony is a loyal man who cares deeply for Julius Caesar, a man he views as a true friend. As the play progresses, Antony transitions from being a follower to becoming a ruthless leader. His transition into a leader is not without negative effects, causing him to act with arrogance. Mark Antony is extremely loyal to his friend and leader, Caesar. After Antony discovers Caesar’s dead body, he urges the conspirators to take his life as well, proclaiming he “shall not find [himself] so apt to die” (160). Caesar’s death causes great distress for Antony, and his desire to die alongside Caesar demonstrates his loyalty and the value he gave to his friend. He also curses the conspirators lives, and wishes to “let slip the dogs of war” (273). Proposing war is a very drastic action, and choosing to defend his friend’s name at the cost of a war demonstrates his utmost loyalty to Caesar. Antony’s loyalty was not a result of his position under Caesar, but a result of their strong friendship. While delivering a speech to Rome following the death …show more content…

Mark Antony follows Caesar’s word religiously, and states that “when Caesar says, ‘do this’, it is perform’d” (10). Having this mindset shows Antony begins as a convergent thinker, listening and following Caesar without much individual thought at all. While Antony’s actions are mostly fueled by his loyalty, other characters believe he is simply not capable of thinking for himself. As the conspirators are plotting Caesar’s murder, Cassius suggests killing Antony as well, because of his close relationship with Caesar. Brutus immediately rejects this idea, and explains to the conspirators they don’t need to kill Mark Antony because he is “but a limb of Caesar” (165). They believe that when Caesar is murdered, Antony will not be capable taking any significant action-- he will simply disappear into the citizens of

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