Comment on Antony’s funeral speech in Julius Caesar.

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Comment on Antony s funeral speech in Julius Caesar Antony s speech comes after Caesar s murder The Forum is full and tense Brutus has just defended the killing The crowd now favors Brutus Antony asks to speak over the body He keeps the pact not to blame Yet he changes the minds of Rome Occasion and Aim Antony s aim is clear He must honor Caesar He must not attack Brutus openly He seeks to awaken grief and doubt He plans to move hearts first Then he will move his hands Opening Strategy He begins with respect and calm He utters Friends Romans countrymen lend me your ears He says he comes to bury not praise He calls Brutus honourable again and again The praise sounds fair The repeated word turns ironic The crowd starts to think Evidence and Logos Antony uses facts that the crowd is familiar with

He recalls Caesar s gifts and wars He asks was that ambition He proves with a scene I thrice presented him a kingly crown Which he did thrice refuse Was this ambition This cool question hurts the charge Brutus s claim grows weak Pathos and Turning Point Antony shows the torn cloak He names each wound with care Then he strikes the heart This was the most unkindest cut of all He weeps with the people He reads the will at last Money and parks are left to Rome Pity turns into rage The mob rushes to revenge In short Antony s speech unites mind and heart He blends calm logic with deep feeling He keeps his promise in form He breaks the conspiracy in fact Words defeat swords that day Rome moves from doubt to fury

Julius Caesar

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Comment on Antony’s funeral speech in Julius Caesar.

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William Shakespeare

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