Julius Caesar

                                         Julius Caesar                                            -William Shakespeare Introductio...

                                        Julius Caesar

                                           -William Shakespeare

Introduction:

                The funeral oration delivered by Mark Antony is an extract from William Shakespeare's famous play "Julius Caesar". Caesar" popularity invites suspicion and wrath of noble Brutus and wicked Cassius. They fear the Caesar may become a dictator and Romans might become his slaves. This unreasonable fear causes them to plot the Caesar's death.

Low profile of Mark Antony:

                Mark Antony affirms the assassins and the crowd, that he has come to bury the Caesar but not praise him. Throughout his oration, he remains humble. He even admits that he is no orator like Brutus. He says he is a blunt man speaking plain truth. But he repeats that Brutus, Cassius and others who assassinated Caesar are 'Honourable Men'.

Battle of Wits:

                Brutus has informed the public that he has killed Caesar because Caesar had become ambitious. Antony counters this charge with his convincing arguments. He claims that Caesar had wept when common man wept. Caesar has filled the coffers of Rome with the ransom he had collected from his captives. On the Lupercal, Caesar had declined kingly crown thrice. Antony asks the crowd, if that was ambition.

The Mysterious Will:

                Antony shows a parchment with a seal of Caesar. He declares he does not intend to read it out because he is sacred of the consequences. He opines that the mob would kiss Caesar's wounds and dip their napkins in Caesar's sacred blood. They would beg for a hair of Caesar to cherish memento. They would leave the rare relic to the future generations as a rich legacy. He appeals to Romans to get ready to shed their tears.

The Tongueless Wounds of Caesar:

                  Antony uncovers the shroud and shows the wounds of Caesar. He shows the wound caused by Brutus who Caesar had loved so much. He claims it was "the most unkindest cut of all". He portrays how the blood gushed out to verify if it was really Brutus who has stabbed. Hearing these piteous words of Antony, the crowd becomes furious and starts chasing the assassins of Caesar.

Conclusion:

                From the beginning, Antony openly states that he has no intention inciting the crowd cause mutiny. But he convinces Romans that the Wicked crime would inflame the stones of Rome to rise in mutiny against assassins. The Romans take the hint and rise in mutiny.

                    THANK YOU!