Persuasion

“The evil that men do lives after them, / the good is oft interred with their bones… (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 76).” Simply put, after a man’s death, only the evil that he did is remembered; the good is often forgotten. However, Antony’s persuasive speech at Caesar’s funeral is one to be remembered. After Brutus’ oration, the plebeians thought Caesar was a tyrant and that Brutus did right to kill him. Antony convinces the plebeians that Caesar’s death was unmerited, and that the conspirators should be punished. In his speech, Antony used several persuading devices. Antony used specific evidence to back up his opinions. He used verbal irony and rhetorics to invert what Brutus said. The speech was filled with loaded words- words with powerful connotations that affect the emotions. Antony used repetition to make the plebeians remember what he was saying. Antony also appealed to the people’s self-interest, because the people cared most about themselves. He used props to give the people a vision to go with what they were hearing. And last, Antony used suspense to keep his listeners curious. Antony’s speech was a model of success.

Specific evidence supported Antony’s opinions. Antony reminds the audience of when Caesar brought to Rome many captives, whose countrymen paid their ransoms; thus filling the public treasury. He adds that Caesar was sympathetic towards the poor. “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 92).” Antony also recalled when Caesar thrice refused the crown. This specific evidence shows the plebeians that Caesar was caring and generous towards them. Antony supported the fact that Caesar’s death was undeserved. Most effectively, verbal irony supported Antony’s cause. The strength of Antony’s speech was that it simultaneously undermined the conspirators but appeared deferential to them. Antony does not want to come out and say “Brutus is an idiot, let’s go kill him!” because the crowd would not support him right away. Instead, Antony resorts to subtle, yet effective, sarcasm. Antony states that Brutus and the conspirators are honorable men, but he means the opposite. When delivering these lines, Antony uses a sarcastic tone that inverts what Brutus said. Antony uses this same tone when referring to the conspirators as wise, truly meaning that they are ignorant. Antony rhetorically refers to Brutus as Caesar’s “angel.” He truly means that Brutus was evil. Antony’s speech used verbal irony to destroy what Brutus previously said.

Antony’s speech was filled with powerful loaded words. Antony uses words with a powerful negative connotation when referring to the conspirators. He used such words as “against,” “mutiny,” “rage,” and “envious” to develop a negative view of the conspirators. On the other hand, Antony used words with a strong positive connotation when speaking of Caesar. He uses words such as ‘faithful,” “sacred,” and “loved” to give the plebeians a positive mindset of Caesar. Antony’s persuasive language supported his cause.

Antony used repetition to drive his opinions into the minds of the audience. Each time Antony cites Brutus’ claim that Caesar was “ambitious,” the claim loses credibility. Similarly, each time Antony states that Brutus is an “honorable man,” it acquires an even more sarcastic tone, until its meaning has been entirely reversed. Antony knew that people believe and remember what is often repeated. He made them believe that Brutus and the conspirators were evil and dishonorable. Also, by repeatedly questioning Caesar’s “ambition,” Antony convinced people that Caesar, in fact, was not. Repetition was successful in this speech.

The speech draws much of its power by manipulating the public’s emotions. Antony appeals to the public’s self-interest by informing them that in Caesar’s will they were all to receive seventy-five silver coins. They were also to be allowed to treat his walks, private arbors, and newly planted orchards as recreation areas. The citizens are struck by this act of generosity. Antony also uses Caesar’s mantle to invoke pity into the audience. He shows the plebeians where each conspirator stabbed through the mantle and delivered Caesar’s death. Antony explains that Brutus’ stab of ingratitude was the fatal blow. Antony stoked the audience’s emotions to support his cause.

Importantly, Antony used suspense to keep the audience curious. “My heart lies in the coffin there with Caesar/ and I must pause till it come back to me (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 107).” After delivering these emotional lines, Antony pauses to weep. The people are touched- they wonder if more ambitious people have stepped into this place. Antony also makes the people beg him to read Caesar’s will. He waits until the plebeians are ready to leave, and then draws them back to read it. The citizens swear to avenge Caesar’s death; they charge off to wreak havoc throughout the city. Antony’s speech was intriguing and interesting as well as persuasive.

Antony is passionate and convincing to the mob. He is successful in swaying the audience’s opinions of Caesar’s death and of the conspirators. Antony provides sufficient evidence to support his opinions. He uses verbal irony and repetition to undermine Brutus’ speech. Antony’s loaded words influenced the people’s opinions of Caesar and the conspirators. Antony put on a “show-and-tell” routine to appeal to the people’s emotions. Antony’s speech did not bore the people- it kept them interested and involved. Antony proves he is a persuasive orator. Antony’s funeral speech is a timeless classic.