Marc Antony’s Funeral Oration Essay -- Julius Caesar, William Shakespe

In William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, Mark Antony pleads with his Friends, Romans (and) countrymen to lend him their ears in an effort to exonerate Caesar from insincere charges laid against him. The three main conspirators in Caesars murder, Brutus, Casca and Cassius portrayed Caesar as an overambitious tyrant to the Roman people. After Caesar was unjustly killed by his friends and comrades, the crowd was persuaded to trust that his death was necessary for the good of the republic. However, Antonys oration cleverly manipulates the crowd through the use of pathetic appeals, especially enargeia, into rebelling against the assassins and mourning the death of Caesar. Caesars faulty and unnecessary death created a unique rhetorical moment that Marc Antony seized. Bitzer states in his article The Rhetorical Situation that a particular discourse comes into existence because of most specific condition or situation which invites utterance (Bitzer 41). According to the assassins, Caesar s murder was necessary for the good of all the Roman citizens, who unquestioningly believed Brutuss accusations that Caesar was ambitious and unfit to govern Rome. Marc Antony used his speech to win back the citizens and unite them in grief and outrage at Caesars murder. One of Marc Antonys objectives as he ascended to the pulpit was to refute the claims of Caesars guilt of ambition I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse was this ambition? / moreover Brutus says he was ambitious / And, sure, he is an honourable man. / I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke (3.2.98-102). He reminded the public that Caesar had been offered the opportunity to be crowned business leader of Rome three times, and each time Caesar had refused it... ...r the name of the slain leader and managed to sway public opinion from one extreme to another. His words cause the fierce mob to scour the streets of Rome for anyone who took part in his murder. His pathetic appeals to his friends, Romans and countrymen incited them to become an enraged mob to avenge Caesars death. His words display the assassins malicious actions for what they were and honor the memory of Caesar.Works Cited Bitzer, Lloyd F. The Rhetorical Situation. Philosophy and Rhetoric (1968) 39-48.Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Chapter 6 Ethical Proof Arguments From Character. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. New York Pearson Longmann, 2004. 163-203.Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Chapter 7 pitiful Proof Passionate Appeals. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. New York Pearson Longmann, 2004. 205-219.