ACT III , SCENE II
Background:
This scene takes place just after the assassination of Julius Caesar. The Roman crowd (the Plebeians) is confused and emotional. They want answers. The conspirators, especially Brutus and Cassius, must convince the public that Caesar's murder was necessary for the good of Rome.
Brutus, who is respected for his honesty and love for Rome, speaks first. He tries to logically explain why Caesar had to die. After Brutus leaves, Mark Antony, a close friend of Caesar, speaks. His speech slowly stirs the crowd’s emotions and turns them against the conspirators.
Brutus’s Speech: Calm Logic for the Republic
Brutus enters with Cassius and some citizens. The people are shouting, “We will be satisfied!” which shows their demand for an explanation. Brutus politely asks them to listen and tells Cassius to speak to a separate group.
Brutus is clear and calm. He begins by appealing to the people's love for him and his honor. He says:
"Believe me for mine honour..."
This shows that Brutus wants the crowd to trust him based on his reputation. He doesn't yell or speak emotionally. Instead, he speaks logically.
Key Points in Brutus’s Speech:
He loved Caesar, but loved Rome more:
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”
This is Brutus’s main argument. He wants people to believe that Caesar’s ambition was dangerous, and that he had to die to protect Roman freedom.
Brutus presents a moral question:
"Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?"
He asks the people if they would rather live under Caesar’s rule as slaves or live free men after Caesar’s death.
He praises Caesar but criticizes his ambition:
“As he was valiant, I honor him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him.”
Brutus says Caesar had many good qualities, but his ambition made him dangerous.
He offers himself to the people:
“I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.”
He says he’s willing to die for Rome, just as he killed Caesar for it. This shows his patriotism and self-sacrifice.
People’s Reaction:
The crowd is convinced. They shout praises for Brutus:
“Live, Brutus, live!”“Let him be Caesar!”
Ironically, they just accepted Caesar’s killing for ambition, yet now want to crown Brutus—a contradiction that hints at their fickle nature.
Mark Antony’s Speech: Turning Logic into Emotion
Brutus exits, asking the crowd to stay and listen to Antony. He says that Antony is allowed to speak only by the conspirators’ permission. This is very important because it makes the audience think that Antony is harmless. But in reality, Antony’s speech is a masterclass in manipulation.
Beginning of Antony’s Speech:
Antony begins softly:
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”
This line is famous. Antony says he will not praise Caesar, but his whole speech actually glorifies Caesar indirectly.
He continues repeating:
“Brutus is an honourable man...”
This phrase, repeated with growing sarcasm, becomes ironic. At first, Antony seems to respect Brutus, but gradually it becomes clear that he questions Brutus's honor.
Antony's Tactic: Emotional Argument
While Brutus appealed to reason, Antony appeals to emotions. He uses rhetorical questions, examples, and storytelling to stir the crowd.
Examples Antony Gives:
Caesar was generous:
“He hath brought many captives home to Rome, whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.”
Caesar made Rome rich by bringing home prisoners and filling the treasury. Is that ambition?
Caesar was compassionate:
“When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.”
Antony shows Caesar was kind to the poor. He contrasts this with Brutus's claim that Caesar was ambitious.
Caesar refused the crown three times:
“You all did see... I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse.”
If Caesar was ambitious, why would he reject power?
Antony never directly attacks Brutus, but his questions and examples create doubt in the people's minds. The crowd starts shifting.
Antony’s Use of Caesar’s Will:
Antony introduces Caesar’s will, but cleverly says:
“It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.”
This makes the crowd even more eager to hear it. He says the will gives 75 drachmas to every Roman citizen and Caesar’s gardens and orchards to the public.
Now the crowd sees Caesar not as a tyrant, but a hero who loved the people.
The Power of Caesar’s Cloak and Corpse:
Antony then shows Caesar’s bloody cloak. He points to each tear, naming the conspirators:
Cassius stabbed here.
Casca here.
Brutus, “Caesar’s angel,” made the deepest wound.
“This was the most unkindest cut of all.”
This phrase becomes the turning point. Antony says Brutus’s betrayal broke Caesar’s heart.
Antony even lifts Caesar’s body to show the wounds, saying:
“Look you here, here is himself marred, as you see, with traitors.”
This visual imagery deeply affects the people. The crowd, now fully emotional, erupts in rage.
The Crowd’s Reaction: Chaos and Revenge
The Plebeians cry:
“Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!”
Their earlier support for Brutus is forgotten. Now, they want revenge for Caesar. They even shout that they will burn Brutus’s house.
Antony pretends to calm them:
“Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up to such a sudden flood of mutiny.”
But in truth, that is exactly what he has done.
Antony says:
“I am no orator, as Brutus is... I am a plain blunt man…”
This is false humility. Antony is being extremely clever, slowly building up public anger while pretending to be innocent.
Caesar’s Will Revisited: Final Blow
When the people are already furious, Antony reminds them again of Caesar’s will.
“To every Roman citizen he gives... seventy-five drachmas.”
This shows that Caesar cared deeply for the people. The crowd feels betrayed by the conspirators.
Aftermath: Mob Violence
The speech ends with the people carrying Caesar’s body, planning to burn it and then destroy the homes of the conspirators.
Antony quietly says:
“Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot; take thou what course thou wilt.”
He has started a revolution, and he lets the chaos unfold.
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