The Diction Of Mark Antony In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Mark Antony—a loyal friend to Julius Caesar, the former emperor of Rome—gives a speech to the Roman commoners in order to persuade them to turn against Brutus, for Brutus and the conspirators had slain Caesar. Antony’s uses rough and sharp diction, a scornful tone, and honest anecdotes in order to achieve his purpose of manipulating the common people to take his side.

Mark Antony’s use of rough and sharp diction contributes to his purpose of convincing the Roman proletariat to turn against the conspirators. Antony addresses the people as “Friends, Romans, [and] countrymen,” and asks for them to “…lend [him their] ears” (III.ii.72), which all three of those words are very rough and direct, as well as

parallel and repetitive. His use of the repeating sharp words commands the commoners’ attention and already begins to convince them with the belief that their compliance to listen is truly important to Antony. Later, he uses sharp diction when he interjects, “O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts” (III.ii.103), which uses hard consonant sounds to make a convincing point. Because Antony uses the rough sounds, the audience listens more acutely and believes his accusations of poor judgment. Also, the sharp allegation of being brutish beasts really sends the audience into a state of self-contemplation, helping them to realize the wrongs that Brutus committed toward Caesar. These instances of rough and sharp diction in Antony’s speech help Antony’s cause by allowing the audience to believe that
they have a choice to consider themselves. It also gives the audience an opportunity to make a decision to choose what side they are on, even though Antony has basically made up their mind for them.
Mark Antony’s scornful tone in his speech causes the common Romans to change their position on the matter of the conspirators killing Julius Caesar.

Firstly, Antony says a general statement that, “the evil that men do lives after them” (III.ii.74), when in fact he is subtly and sneeringly referring to the conspirators actions. The Roman commoners don’t realize that this general statement is swaying them, but the rest of Antony’s speech further convinces them of the evil the conspirators have done. Later, Antony talks about Brutus says that “sure, [he] is an honourable man” (III.ii.98), emphasis on the sure. Because he uses a scornful tone while sarcastically saying this statement, he is really beginning to show the audience his true feelings on the situation. Knowing that even Antony bitterly disagrees with the choices of the conspirators, it further persuades the common people of Rome to turn against Brutus and the rest of Caesar’s murderers. These occasions show Antony’s sour tone, especially towards the conspirators, and Antony’s tone also riles up the Roman citizens. His tone helps to exasperate the commoners with Caesar’s murder, and therefore assists Antony in achieving his purpose to manipulate the audience to turn against

Brutus.
Mark Antony’s use of true anecdotes assist him in persuading the common people to agree with his position on the decision Brutus made. Antony tells of the time that Caesar, “hath brought many captives home to Rome” (III.ii.87) in order to establish the notion that Caesar was a victorious man who supported Rome’s becoming a great power. The citizens, who embody very nationalistic qualities, are persuaded by the idea of a man aiding great Rome. Soon after his first example, Antony tells of how “when the poor have cried, Caesar
hath wept” (III.ii.90), which appeals to the citizens sensitive side. Because Brutus had accused Caesar of being ambitious, this instance of Caesar crying for the common people persuades the people to believe that Caesar was instead compassionate, and this causes them to turn against Brutus for calling Caesar such a thing. Further proving that Caesar wasn’t ambition, Antony tells of a time when Caesar was “presented… a kingly crown” (III.ii.95), and “thrice refuse[d]” (III.ii.96) it. That occurrence further proves to the proletariat that Caesar was a good man and Brutus was wrong to kill him. Antony telling of Caesar’s good moments supports his purpose of convincing the Romans to turn against Brutus and the conspirators.
Antony backs his purpose of convincing the Roman commoners to disagree with Brutus and the conspirators’ decisions to kill Julius Caesar by using sharp diction, a bitter and scornful tone, and true anecdotes. The Romans will always believe as Antony said; the evil deeds of Brutus and the conspirators will live on forever.