Antony Has Been Described As "
a self-seeking politician of no scruples." Do you agree? Support your answer with close reference to the text.
Antony appears to be loyal to Caesar, but his loyalty hides his underlying deceitful nature. Antony uses Caesar's death to his advantage. Antony capitalises on the opportunity it presents and progresses to become the victor and ruler of Rome.
There is no doubt that early in the play Antony is portrayed as a very loyal and trustworthy character. Caesar trusts him and holds him as a close friend. As seen when Caesar calls on Antony's opinions about Cassius "tell me truly what thou think'st of him" as at the time Caesar was ruler, and it was very rare that rulers ask people for their ...
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As here by Caesar" this shows that he holds Caesar as a very noble man, and that he loved him.
However, Antony then appears to make friends with the conspirators when he addresses them after Caesars death "Friends I am with you all, and love you all". Here Antony shows true deceit, for Antony is not their friend, but rather their enemy. "Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!" and pronounces that he will create war among the people to revenge Caesars death. "Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all parts of Italy…Caesar's spirit raging for revenge…Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war" Antony is the one who creates the war, this plays to his advantage because he eventually becomes king.
It is necessary to analyse both Brutus's speech and Antony's to see how Antony 's appeals to the crowd cause a civil war. Brutus justifies conspiring against Caesar by stating that Caesar's ambition would have hurt Rome. However, in Antony's speech, he focuses on Caesar's ...
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for killing Caesar was his great love for Rome. He justifies his actions by saying that he loved Caesar but, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." He then asks rhetorically if the people would want to live their lives as slaves under Caesar's rule, or would they prefer to live as freemen with Caesar dead. To anyone insulted by his speech he wonders if, as Romans who love their freedom, they could be offended or reject what he, Brutus, says. He poses the question, "Who is here so base that would be a bondman?" He stresses the point, repeating the line, "If any, speak, for him have I offended.". "I pause for a reply.", allows them to respond to his rhetorical questions, ...
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Antony Has Been Described As ". (2008, January 9). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Antony-Has-Been-Described-As/77217
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"Antony Has Been Described As "." Essayworld.com. January 9, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Antony-Has-Been-Described-As/77217.
"Antony Has Been Described As "." Essayworld.com. January 9, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Antony-Has-Been-Described-As/77217.
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