Analysis of Antony's Speech in Caesar Essay Example

Mark Antony’s funeral to Caesar expresses his sorrow for the death of Caesar and persuades the citizens of Rome to take action against this unjust occurrence. Despite going against the conspirators by ultimately persuading the Plebeians to side with him to honor Caesar, Antony was able to accomplish this by providing an extensive amount of asyndeton’s, personification, anaphora’s, and rhetorical questions that helped persuade the audience. 

To begin, in Antony’s speech he uses emphasis and an honest tone to persuade the Plebeians into understanding why Caesar is highly respectable. In Antony’s speech he states “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” (71). This quote is exemplified by the use of an asyndeton. The use of an asyndeton quickly addresses the main idea of the sentence and adds necessary emphasis. By evoking the dramatic atmosphere created by using an asyndeton, it allows the quote to be more important, while leaving an incomplete tone to linger. It appeals to the audience by drawing the reader’s attention to the importance of the quote. By adding heavy emphasis on the quote, it allows the author to persuade the given audience. The usage of ethos establishes an atmosphere of credibility that is supported by the use of an asyndeton. By adding importance in addressing the Plebeians, they are able to perceive Antony as a respectable and credible man. Antony’s stern and quick use of omitted conjunctions is successful, by ultimately grasping the attention of his intended audience. While reading the speech Antony also stated, “The good is oft interred with their bones” (74). This quote is exemplified by the use of personification, in this case personifying Caesar’s “good”. The usage of personification in this quote evokes emotion while creating a sympathetic atmosphere for Caesar. By evoking an emotion and sympathy, it allows for more emphasis on the emotions portrayed by an inanimate object. It appeals to the audience by connecting the reader to the object that is personified. By creating a more vivid picture it allows the reader to react emotionally to that non- human character. The usage of pathos allows the audience to understand that despite all the good Caesar has exerted, it is contradicted with his bad and not recognized in the way it should. 

Furthermore, Antony uses repetition of excerpts from Brutus’ speech in hopes to question is credibility and uses sarcastic irony to do so. In the speech Antony states “I will not do them wrong. I rather choose to wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, than I will wrong such honorable men” (123-125). This quote is exemplified by the use of an anaphora. The importance of an anaphora is addressed by the memorable tone set by the usage of repetition. By evoking a more memorable atmosphere due to use of an anaphora, it is able to convey the intended message through repetition. It appeals to the audience by reinforcing the importance of the quote through intended repetition. It evokes a contradicting atmosphere, by challenging Brutus’ credibility. The usage of ethos in this excerpt is represented by the credibility and ethics present. By repeating specific statements that Brutus had previously made in his speech, Antony is able to successfully challenge his credibility and persuade the intended audience into doing the same.  Antony also stated, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (88). This quote is represented by a rhetorical question. The importance of a rhetorical question is exemplified by controlled atmosphere of the speech with the provided thoughts to make a point or convey an intended message. By evoking a more controlled and contained atmosphere as exemplified by a rhetorical question, no real answer is expected by laying emphasis on the intended point. It appeals to the audience by persuading and subtly influencing them causing them to think. It evokes a very engaging atmosphere between the audience and the author. The usage of pathos persuades the audience by appealing to their emotion; trying to connect with the audience. In this case, Antony is hoping to connect with the audience, hoping to discredit the claims made by the accusers, regarding Caesar’s ambition.  

Finally, Antony attempts to get the Plebeians to side with him, by mourning for Caesar, and by providing reasons justifying the fact that Caesar’s death is inhumane. In the text Antony states, “In every wound. Of Caesar that should move” (219). This quote exemplifies personification. The importance of the use of personification is that it can move the intended audience to react emotionally. By incorporating an inclusive and emotional atmosphere, it can help connect the audience and the non-human character. In appeals to the reader by connecting them with the object that is being personified and can also help make descriptions of inanimate objects more vivid. It also allows them to understand and sympathize with the non-human character. By evoking pathos from the audience, Antony is able to use emotion as his weapon and is ultimately able to persuade the Plebeians against the conspirators. Antony is also able to instill rage and anger into the audience causing them to act against the conspirators. The text also states, “Here is himself, marred, as you see, with traitors”. (191) This quote exemplifies the use of an asyndeton. The use of an asyndeton quickly addresses the main idea of the intended message, adding emphasis. By evoking a dramatic atmosphere, it allows the quote to appear more important. It appeals to the reader by drawing the reader’s attention due to the rhythm and fast pace created by the use of an asyndeton. By speeding up the rhythm and pace a drama tone is able to be emphasized amongst the audience. By appealing to the audience by using pathos, the Plebeians are able to sympathize for Caesar and mourn for him. By incorporating this, Antony is able to persuade the citizens into thinking that the killing of Caesar was unjust; ultimately accomplishing his goal.

To conclude, Antony was able to achieve his intended goal by using persuasive rhetorical features. In doing so, Antony enabled others to understand that the killing of Caesar was unjust and that something had to be done in order to seek revenge.