Julius Caesar
Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatist of the world. This play are valuable social documents. His characters are real life like existing characters. "Julius Caesar" is a powerful tragedy. We see the popwer of eloquence in this play. The present extract act III scene, Brutus touches the head of the mob with reasons, but fails. But Mark Antony touches the heart and incites the Roman mob to Mutiny.
Historical Background :
Rome was once ruled by a King called "Tarquiu". He was a Brutal Tyrand. The people rebelled against him and deposed him. From then people hated Kings. The Senat protect the rights of common people from the rulers. Caesar gained an absolute power by killing Pompey and his Sons.
The Conspiracy :
The growing power of Caesar made a number of influential senators of Rome fear that Caesar would become the King of Rome. Hence there was a conspiracy to murder Caesar. Cassius was the moving spirit behind the plot. He persuaded Brutus, a friend of Caesar to join the conspiracy. According to the plan, Caesar was murdered in the capital. Antony got the deadbody of Caesar and delivered the funeral oration in the market place, which resulted among the people to revenge the murder of Caesar.
Brutus a Tragic Hero :
Brutus justifies the murder of Caesar. he was of prose which is the language of reason. He says that a superior love of his country made him to kill his dearest friend. he says that Caesar was ambitious. he ends his speech with a hint of the benefits the people will get from Caesar's death. He is intensely patriotic and is ready to lay down even his life fro the shake of his country. His task was not an easy one. defending the murder of Caesar, the foremost man of all this world is not an easy one. Yet, he performed the task verywell.
Antony's Speech :
Being a skilled orator, Antony uses all possible rhetorical devices to win the hearts of the people. He shows with concrete example that Caesar was not ambitious. Antony saya that Caesar brought many captives to Rome. he filled the state treasury with the ransom. When the poor cried Caesar weped for them. Antony offered Caesar the crown thrice but he refused thrice. Then, Antony refers to the will and keeps them in suspence by not reading the will. He shows them the wounds of Caesar and emirates the people who had killed him. He acquires Brutus of trachery. Brutu's stab was the must unkindest cut of all because Caesar loved Brutus.
Antony proceeds cautiously and repeats the word 'honourable' frequently till it acquires an ironical ring. The words are instently effective and the people are won over. The use of contrast is one of the most effective devices of oratory and antony makes full used of this device. He contrasts the helplessness of the dead Caesar with his pasted glory and greatness. The MOb is always with the last speaker and it has short memory.
Thus Brutus fails to understand the citizens psychology but Antony touches heart of them by his cauties approach and arouses the emotion of tehm. finally he achieves the result which he desired.
Like it on Facebook, Tweet it or share this article on other bookmarking websites.