Leading Rome
...ll have glory by this losing day/ more than Octavius and Marc Antony/ by this vile conquest shall attain unto” (V.V.40-43). By dying for a cause Brutus has acted as a true leader, staying faithful to his supporters even when he was doomed to be captured and killed. Furthermore, Marcus Brutus uses his skills of persuasion quite often in effectuating the plan against Caesar. For instance, when Cassius first come to Caesar to see whether he will support his plan, Brutus must persuade Cassius in order to change the plan to his liking. Still not yet convinced to partake in the conspiracy, Brutus wants to make sure that the plan is not too violent and he persuades Cassius not to kill Antony as well. Brutus says, “Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius/ to cut the head off and then hack the limbs--/ like wrath in death and envy afterwards;/ for Antony is but a limb of Caesar” (II. I. 175-179). Being a leader, Brutus thinks of how the people of Rome would interpret their slaying of Caesar, and he decides that the Romans would feel that their course was too violent. Additionally, Brutus gives a very persuasive speech to the mob of Romans just after he murdered Caesar. Brutus explains to the mob that he was in fact Caesar’s friend, but ultimately felt that Caesar was too ambitious to continue leading Rome. Brutus shouts, “If there be any in this assembly, any dear/ friend of Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus' love/ to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend/ demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my/ answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved/ Rome more (III. II. 18-23). The Romans, shocked to hear of Caesar’s sudden assassination, need to have justification behind the murder in order to accept it, and Brutus, as a natural leader, gives such justifications. Along with Brutus, Caesar’s right hand man, Marc Antony, demonstrates great loyalty and persuasion as he plans revenge against Brutus and the conspirators. As a leader of the people who loved Caesar, Antony’s skills of persuasion are unlike any other. For instance, once Antony learns of Caesar’s death he pretends as though he supports Brutus and his cause, persuading Brutus to allow him to speak in Caesar’s funeral. Even though Antony loved Caesar more than any Roman, he still manages to act as if he is not overall upset with his death, and Brutus buys into his folly. Antony states to Brutus and the conspirators, “Friends am I with you all and love you all,/ upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons/ why and wherein Caesar was dangerous “( III. I. 241-243). In convincing Brutus to allow him to speak at the funeral, Antony’s persuasion has succeeded perfectly and he now plans to reveal his true sentiments regarding Caesar’s assassination to Rome. Additionally, Antony takes advantage of his opportunity to speak at Caesar’s funeral and uses his persuasion and manipulation skills to round up support. Antony’s diction, tone, and body language all contribute to his extremely motivational speech. Antony exclaims, “You all did see that on the Luprecal/ I thrice presented him a kingly crown,/ which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?/ Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and sure he is an honorable man” (III. II. 103-107). Through his speech, Antony is able to completely change the crowd’s feelings regarding Caesar’s murder towards one of anger over the injustice. Moreover, not only is Antony persuasive, but he is loyal to Caesar and to what he feels is true justice, despite that Brutus completely disagrees. For example, Antony displays his strong loyalty to Caesar by standing boldly against the conspirators when giving his Eulogy. The Romans could have easily rejected Antony’s position on Caesar’s leadership and death, but he chooses stays faithful to his beliefs, which ultimately prove to be more supported. Antony shouts to the crowd, “You all did love him once, not without cause./ What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?--/…Bear with me;/ my heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,/ and I must pause till it come back to me” (III. II. 113-117). Only a good, loyal leader could deliver such a speech with the emotion and influence that Antony did. Finally, Antony shows the absolute loyalty to ...