The funeral scene of “beloved Caesar” presents two
exceedingly different perspectives about the death of Rome’s dictator.
Shakespeare cleverly uses his mastery of both textual form and medium through the use of stage directions
to enable the audience to understand his view on Caesar’s demise, “they stab Caesar…seeing the
body…Enter Mark Antony with Caesar’s body…Antony goes into the pulpit…Antony
comes down from the pulpit”. As an audience, we understand that, although Brutus claims his
actions were for “not that
I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”, the “noble Roman’s” use of juxtaposition
doesn’t hide the fact that he
has conspired and allowed himself to be manipulated to commit a grievous act.
Indeed, it is one that Shakespeare presents as contrary to the natural order,
his clever manipulation of medium
and stage
directions “Knock within…they whisper…the
clock strikes…thunder and lightning” from the orchard scene belying
Brutus’ seemingly noble intentions. However, we feel no such pangs of confusion or conflict about
Shakespeare’s portrayal of Antony. As he marks each of the conspirators
to die, he then speaks in a powerful soliloquy, “O pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am so
meek with these butchers”. His clever use of metaphor and graphic imagery again cleverly
presents the audience with the dichotomy between himself and Brutus; we feel aligned with Antony.
The conflict between Antony and the conspirators is monetarily masked, and we are confused by Antony shaking hands with his beloved Caesars murder. Brutus and Cassius watching on and Antony emotions towards Caesars death slip, Stating “Here wast thou bayed, brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand”. Shakespeare’s use of anaphora and hunting imagery gives the conspirators cause for grave concern. Shakespeare continues his use of a extended metaphor in a sad and melancholic lament, “O world, thou wast the forest to this hart… O world, the heart of three”. This clever pun shows Antony love towards his friend. He knew how beneficial Caesar was to Rome in finally achieving civil order and he knew how loved he was by the Roman populace. In contrast to Antony, Brutus a “noble man” sets about trying to placate the Romans who have gathered in the forum to ascertain why their glorious has been slain. Brutus does indeed speak the truth when he claims his actions were “ not the I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”. His use of contrast shows that Caesar was indeed a close confidante and mentor, but Brutus had a genuine concern for the dictatorial nature of “Noble Caesar”. We can see that his divulgence of honesty is an emotional plea, trying not to show the mob how Rome will now be a better place and to live. Antony is left on stage alone with the body of Caesar, Rome’s fallen dictator. As the audience we see Antony’s true love and respect for Caesar and want’s to seek revenge for the Death of Caesar. “Blood and destruction shall be so in use… that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quartered with the hands of war”. The effective use of blood imagery shows how Antony will go to the furthest extent to makes sure Caesar is avenged. However, with the death of Caesar we as the audience feel aligned with Brutus.
ReplyDeleteAlthough both Antony and Brutus are depicted as “noble” Shakespeare presents the audience with conflict orientated around the man, that the fictitious tragedy is named after “Julius Caesar”. This conflict is easily ascertainable by the audience from the outset of the play. After Brutus and the conspirators murder Caesar, Brutus makes a speech in an attempt to placate the roman people “had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” Shakespeare cleverly uses this to extract empathy for Brutus by depicting him as a freedom fighter. After Brutus’s speech, Antony addresses the public describing Brutus as “an honorable man” but contradicting Brutus by stating, “did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff” using a rhetorical question Shakespeare contrasts the core element of Brutus’s mantra; that what he was doing was for the betterment of Rome, to display how peer pressure and deception can turn just motives back on themselves. Shakespeare presents the situation of politics with Brutus attempting to become a political figure this is countered by Antony highlighting the void between their beliefs, “I am no orator, as Brutus is, but as you know me all, a plain blunt man that love my friend” lucidly affirming Shakespeare does not believe in power just in words but the power of integrity, endearing Antony to the audience.
ReplyDeleteCassius & Brutus
ReplyDeleteThe significant difference between Shakespeare’s view on the “lean and hungry” Cassius and “noble” Brutus is obvious from the fictitious exposition’s outset.
After Caesar returns from defeating Pompey, it is evident, through Shakespeare’s representation of situation, that his overarching political agenda revolves around the notion of democracy vs dictatorship. Immediately the audience feels a sense of suspicion towards Cassius’s wretched and “dangerous” nature. Shakespeare presents the personality of Brutus as being “noble” but is swayed, as he admits in a soliloquy to the populace “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”. Shakespeare’s juxtaposition suggests his own personal perspective about the divergent ideas that can exist in man’s mind. In contrast, Shakespeare presents Cassius as being a manipulative and envious personality, which completely conflicts with our fledgling view of Brutus. Instantly we can see Cassius’s envy for Caesar, “He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men … find ourselves dishonorable graves.” Cassius’s emotional and bitter simile, clearly shows his lack of nobility, thus painting a vastly different picture for us as an audience.
Brutus & Antony
The divergent representations of Brutus and Cassius are evidenced in Shakespeare’s depiction of Caesar’s funeral scene. Watching the “bleeding piece of earth”, Antony seemingly lets his true emotions slip, stating, “Here was thou bayed, brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand”. Shakespeare’s use of anaphora and hunting imagery gives the conspirators cause for grave concern; the very man Cassius warned would cause trouble after the murder is branding them as “hunters”. Not only does it show Antony’s love for his friend, it also depicts how we, as an audience, can immediately sense Antony’s pent-up anger towards “these butchers”. However, Shakespeare seemingly confuses us, as we again think the stage directions from orchard scene, “the clock strikes…they whisper…thunder and lightning” have been inverted as the Roman populace admire him, proclaiming, “Live, Brutus, live!” However, this conflicting perspective only momentarily confuses us as Shakespeare’s mastery of medium and textual form through stage directions, “Antony comes down from the pulpit”, suggests how Antony becomes one of the Roman people to “cry havoc”.
Brutus & Antony:
ReplyDeleteShakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” portrays his own view of conflict in human through how he presents his character, which allows us to gain an insight on the exposition of the situation. Brutus, differently from Antony, has a different perspective of Caesar. Cassius with Brutus voices his concern about Caesar in a very negative way and should be kill. However, As Brutus seem to be a “noble man” and his feeling toward Caesar is “love him well”. He also seen Caesar as a threat and fear when he stated “the people choose Caesar for their king” He also state that “if it be aught toward the general good, set honors in one eye and death I’th’other’’, We see not only that Brutus puts the good of Rome well above any personal feelings. Shakespeare uses of juxtaposition and contrasting notation selectively contrast both side of human, the “noble and royal” side with the “ambition” side that seek for wealth and power. The stage direction of the play also provides the audience with our own perspective as “Cassius and Brutus speak privately together as Caesar address the crowed”. Creating another contrasting notation in the audience perspective of the unfaithfulness in people in order to gain power.
Contrasting with Mark Antony, his view and perspective in Caesar is totally different from Brutus. After the assassination of his beloved friend, Antony let his true emotion slips, stating “Here wast thou bayed, brave hart; here didst thou fall; and here thy hunter stand”, Shakespeare uses of anaphora and hunting imagery gives the conspirators cause for grave concern; the very man that Cassius warned would cause trouble after the murder of Caesar is branding them “hunters” Antony however, refer to Caesar as a ‘bless’ than a threat’. As he state “Did this Caesar seem ambition? When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. ”. Shakespeare uses of rhetorical question forces the audience to admin, if not only to themselves, that Caesar has always have Rome best in his heart. The stage direction also presents to us as an audience how Antony puts himself in the sociality. Contrasting with Brutus who address to the people of Rome on the temple. Whilst Antony bought himself down to the mop to present himself, symbolize that he is at the same level with the people. We as an audience are fill with how Shakespeare present the true noble man.
ReplyDeletethe characters of Antony and brutus within the fictitious play of Julius caesar by shakespeare are shown in different yet similar lights by the shakespeare and thus wee see these characters in different lights. at the funeral address of caesar immediately after his death, we know that brutus has been deceived by cassius to commit genocide. brutus then gives a partially eulogy onto he explanation of his actions “bring him with triumph unto his house” shakespeare use of powerful emotive language alludes to the audience that brutus is a noble man, not cowering behind the scenery as the other senators do, but openly admitting the crime he committed, thus we the audience see brutus is an honourable man who has committed a crime for the right reason. mark Antony brings the limp and motionless body of caesar in front of the roman people Enter “Mark Antony with Caesar’s body…Antony goes into the pulpit…Antony comes down from the pulpit”. Shakespeare's use of stage direction shows how mark Antony brings the body in front of the roman mob as to show the desecrated act that has occurred. as an audience we then feel shocked and sad for mark Antony as he continues to give his speech. we see the theme of politics develop thought antony’s eulogy as he sways the mood of the crowd against brutus and those who have murdered caesar, Blood and destruction shall be so in use… that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quartered with the hands of war”. this powerful soliloquy that is used by shakespeare shows the audience how Antony has swayed the roman populous against brutus and we the audience feel sorry for brutus as he is being hunted down for an act in which he though was committed on noble grounds
Brutus & Antony -
ReplyDeleteThe strong use of disparity between individuals is demonstrated in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as he portrays his personal view through conflict. Brutus and Anthony are identified in a contrasting light through the play. At the beginning of the play Cassius voices his concerns of Julius Caesar in are forceful and negative manner, implying that Cassius should be killed. The audience is able to detect his sympathetic tone as he states, “If I have veiled my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself” pronouncing he is suffering mental anguish. In spite of that Brutus shows signs of being a “noble man” and reveals his feelings towards Caesar, as he “loves him well”. It is coherent that Brutus identifies Caesar as a threat as “The people choose Caesar for their king” but “If it aught toward the general good, set honors in one eye and death I’th other” alluding to the idea that he would kill Caesar for the better of Rome in spite of any feelings towards him. Both Cassius and Brutus selectively use Shakespeare’s juxtaposition and contrasting notation through their faithful and noble side with ambition that seeks for supremacy. When “Cassius and Brutus speak privately together as Caesar address the crowd” it gives the audience our own prospective. This contrasting notion displays how people with overlook loyalty in order to attain authority.
In a stark contrast Mark Anthony, sheds a divergent perspective of Caesar in relations to Brutus. Soon after the assassination of Anthony’s beloved friend, his emotions were exposed, stating “here wasn’t thou bayed, brave heart; here didst thou fall; and here thy hunter stand”, Shakespeare’s use of anaphora and hunting imagery provides the conspirators cause for grave concern; the very man that Cassius warned would cause trouble after the murder of Caesar us branding them “hunters” Anthony however, refers to Cesar as a ‘bless’ than a threat’’. As he states, “Did the Caesar seem ambition? The poor have cried, Caesar hath wept’’, Shakespeare’s use of rhetorical question persuades the audience to accept, not only themselves, that Caesar has Rome’s best interest at heart. The stage direction also alludes to the fact that Anthony feels the same way as the plebeians because of Caesar death. In contrast, Brutus addresses the Plebeians from the temple whereas Antony comes down to the crowd to present himself, symbolizing how he regards himself, equal to the people. The audience is able to differentiate how Shakespeare presents an honest, noble man.
Brutus vs Anthony
ReplyDeleteShakespeare draws upon audience of all age to portray the exposition of Julius Caesar dramatic conflict. Such use of perception by Shakespeare explores Brutus and Antony different quantitative views, which make us, ponder how Shakespeare position us to view the characters. With a momentarily mask of ambiguity, we see Antony shaking hands and hugging the murderous conspirators as “Here wast thou bayed brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand”. Shakespeare use of anaphora and hunting imagery give the conspirators a grave concern that this man might be dangerous to the event that will happen. Thus Shakespeare foreshadows the possibility of a conflicting perspective dovetailing into the exposition. In contrast the admantive follower of Caesar privy the innermost truth of him. Anthony personal mournful tones “o pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am meek and gentle with these butchers!” highlights the dichotomy of his action and words to the conspirators while harrowing his poignant and honest soliloquy .As an audience this appeals to our inner vengeance that Anthony will bring the curse into the play to revenge Caesar sacrificial murder. On the other hand the internecine character Brutus, is moulded and bent by Cassius poisonous words to his actions. This action was the claim of “not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more”. Shakespeare contrast shows the audience Brutus nobility towards Rome and how a mist of doctrine blinded it. “Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than Caesar was dead, to live all free man”. Profoundly Shakespeare powerful use of technique highlights the powerful rhetorical question to trigger an answer from the audience. This makes the audience ponder if Brutus was really under the influence, of Cassius greed for power contrast to Antony real pride and benevolence. Emotive language is elicit in favorable his reply of “long live Brutus with “ him “bringing triumph whom unto his house”. Shakespeare use of forceful metaphor outs together their perspective of the judicial murder of Julius Caesar.
Brutus vs Cassius
Shakespeare draws upon audience of all age to portray the exposition of Julia Caesar dramatic conflict. Such use of perception explores Brutus and cassias in different quantitative views, which make us ponder how Shakespeare position us to view them .The hungry and bellicose character of Cassius is shown to be more envious and jealous of Brutus as ”many of the best respect in Rome …groaning underneath this ages yoke have wished that noble Brutus has his eyes”. Immediately we get a glimpse of Cassius through the use of oppressive imagery and reverent tone of him luring Brutus up for a trap cleverly done by Shakespeare. Shakespeare also uses different techniques to convey cassias lust of ambition and power and the recklessness he will go to get there when “a shrewd contriver annoy us all thus let Antony an Caesar fall together”. Interestingly the use of metonymy “fall” suggest an unwillingness to use the word murder supports the cassias might not be as strong as the think he is but is willing to go to the length as to “cut the head of then hack the limbs like wrath in death and envy afterwards”. Thus as an audience we ponder Shakespeare intellectual to make cassias a pawn of ambition and lust. On the other hand Brutus is portrayed as noble” that I loved Caesar less but I love Rome more”. Shakespeare also portrays Brutus as an honest man with “no not an oath these motive be weak break of be time every man hence to idle his bed”. As the use of authorial tone and contrast claim the reason for such murderous deeds Shakespeare alludes to the honesty and integrity for the killing he has done contrasting to Cassius evil deeds. Thus showing the contrast between Brutus and Cassius intention Shakespeare master the textual form of the play and brings restoration of ambition and honors through two characters.
The audience’s view of Brutus and cassias differs in the exposition of Julius Caesar as reputable men in the play repeatedly tell us that Brutus is a “Nobel” man compared to the “wretched creature” of Cassius. Shakespeare presents Brutus to us from the beginning as he is “vexed… with passions of some difference, conceptions only proper to myself” this uncertain tone expressed by Brutus immediately bring the audience to think of him as an intellect, a rational man. However the idea that Shakespeare presents of Brutus as an honorable man can be seen in a darker light as he says “if it aught toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death in the other” Brutus hides all personal feelings behind the good of Rome. This juxtaposition shows his conflicting perspectives that he faces. However Cassius sways Brutus for his own political agenda describing Caesar as “a sick girl”, his descriptive language heightens the feelings of animosity and enmity he feels towards Caesar showing the audience his true emotions. His vindictive simile portrays him as a stark contrast to Brutus as the audience is led to question Cassius morals and motives for the death of Caesar. The personalities of Brutus and cassias are contrasted by Caesar to show the destructive nature of mankind and how tampering with the natural order of nature can have sever consequences.
ReplyDeleteBrutus VS Antony
Antony is portrayed by Shakespeare as a “noble man” much alike Brutus, however their personal motives and political agendas differ, as Brutus “loved Rome more”. Brutus address the crowd by using powerful rhetoric “had you rather Caesar were living and die as slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men” his powerful rhetorical question is answered and they deny that he has done any wrong. As an audience this makes us sympathize with Brutus plight as we see that the audience agree with Brutus motives. His use of emotive language elicits a favorable response from the crowd who cry out “live Brutus! Live, live”. However as Antony begins to address the audience we immediately know as an audience his address is to exact revenge. His speech is built around the notion that the conspirators are noble, especially Brutus. “The Nobel Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault” his clever yet sycophantic tone and repetition of the word “Nobel” shows that he doesn’t risk alienating the mob by attempting to ostracise Brutus. He concludes his famous address by stating that if he had brutus oratory skills, he would “ruffle up your spirits and put a tounge in every wound of Caesar that should move the stones
Shakespeare’s differing portrayal of “lean and hungry” Cassius and the “noble” Brutus offers a strong contrast for their motives in the fictitious play. The audience quickly establishes the differences between Cassius and Brutus with Caesar admitting that his closes friend Brutus is “with himself at war” where to more ambiguous and jealous Cassius. From the evidence that Shakespeare puts forth to the audience we are quick to establish the the different motives that Brutus and Cassius have personal for killing Caesar, “if it be aught toward the general good, set honour in one eye and death i’th other”. From this as a audience we can compare this to Cassius more personal sinister motive than Brutus’s public deception of what was best for Rome. Cassius who leads the group of assassins has a much different view on how he views Caesar personal, “his coward lips … did lose his lustre … as a sick girl”. Shakespeare use of simile shows the differing friendship that Caesar shares with his noble friend Brutus. In the death of Caesar the true meaning of the motives killing Caesar are revealed through the use of the conflicting prospectives that taught the troubled mind of Brutus merciful killing and Cassius’s ambiguous motive.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteShakespeare has with intent portrayed both the characters of Mark Anthony and Brutus in a different fashion. He does this so with an array of filmic and linguistic techniques, done to both tell story as to, more importantly give insight as to the effects and rewards of nobility, loyalty and honour, some of which Brutus has and all of which Mark Anthony has. “ Brutus: Anthony beg not your death of us, we will deliver you the cause, why I that did love Caesar, when a stuck him, have thus proceeded. Mark Anthony: I doubt not of your wisdom”. When Anthony is made aware of Caesars death, sarcastic tone and emotive language is used to show his disapproval of both Brutus and decisions, as he allowed political influences to persuade his previous ideas. “As he was ambitious I slew him, I have the same dagger for myself”, with these words Brutus is viewed as a noble yet fickle personality. Again a sarcastic tone is used to show Mark Anthony’s disapproval “ Brutus says he was ambitious and Brutus is a honourable man”. Further adding he states “through this the well beloved Brutus stabbed, this was the most unkindest of all”. Mark Anthony shows how Brutus betrayed Caesars trust, with his lack of judgement.
Brutus Vs Antony
ReplyDeleteShakespeare portrays Brutus in the speech scene to be the counterpart of Antony, as his ideals directly conflict that of Antony’s, despite both ideals being the same. Shakespeare portrays Brutus to be an iron-willed deeply patriotic Roman Citizen, as opposed to Antony, who's ideals, and hopes, live in Caesar, the “benevolent tyrant”. Through the use of phrases such as “As I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself.” for Brutus and “When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.”, we as the audience can fully sympathise for both parties, as, truly, the play would be called “The Tragedy of Brutus”.
The characters of Brutus and Cassius have been portrayed both with major differences. Cassius is depicted as a persuasive, shrewd, and violently jealous character, and Brutus a more noble and honourable yet naïve, character portrayed by Shakespeare. The viewing of the progressive persuasion and manipulation of Brutus by Cassius, as he presents the idea of assassinating Caesar, gives views of both characters. Shakespeare has fashioned this series of events, which makes his audience feel a scene of loath and hatred toward Cassius, and a semi sadness and frustration toward Brutus, as his naivety allows him to choose the wrong choice, the true tragedy of the story. We seen, with the obvious description of Cassius “ it doth amaze me a man of such feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone”. In this exert we see with the use of metonymy and descriptive language, how Cassius despises and is jealous of Caesar and the power he possesses. As a result an negative image is painted of Cassius as we see his dangerous jealousy. During the assassination of Caesar Brutus’s noble yet persuadable character revealed, as he was once a good friend of Caesars ”et to brute, then fall Caesar”, with this we feel the true tragedy of Brutus’s actions, as he would have been one of last to act against Caesar, with the use of Latin and emotive Language, we see how Caesar, with the sight of Brutus, feels he has done something truly wrong and as a result, lets himself fall prey to Cassius and his dirty jealousy. In this moment the tragedy of Caesars death isn’t as profound as his betrayal of Brutus.
ReplyDeleteBrutus vs. Antony
ReplyDeleteDuring the play of Julius Caesar, the funeral scene offers the audience the chance to decide what they deem as morally right, we are given the ‘noble’ Brutus, “not that I loved Caesar less. but that I loved Rome more”. Brutus justification of killing Caesar in cold bold initially gives the audience a feeling of mutual respect for the reasons that Brutus killed Caesar. Brutus differing prospective on killing Caesar is contrasted to Antony’s after Brutus addresses the Roman senators “By your pardon, I will myself into the pulpit first, and show the reason of our Caesar’s death”. Antony’s offers a much different approach to Caesar’s death to a much more guilt tripping address to the Roman public on the grace and mercy that Caesar had blessed upon them “when the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept” Shakespeare use of juxtaposition between the ruling elite and the Roman lower classes gives a much more profound effect on the audience all of what Brutus said about Caesar is now deemed as something that cant be justified. “Blood and destruction shall be so in use .. that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quartered with the hands of war” Antony’s constant referral to the audience personal lives aspires the audience to behold the stance that Antony has on the murder on Caesar and consequently on how the us as an audience feels towards the differing prospectives of Brutus and Antony
Nice post
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