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In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, two characters speak at Caesar’s funeral.

Caesar was just murdered by his best friend Brutus and the Conspirators. Brutus and

Antony both speak at the funeral, but each had their own purpose and reason for doing so.

Both speeches had their own unique way of addressing the crowd as well as differing

styles. Therefore, differing effects on the crowd as a result of their differing styles and

techniques.



Brutus was first to speak. He and the Conspirators approaches the stand with their

hands dripping in Caesar’s blood. Brutus approaches the crowd by stating that his reason

for killing Caesar. His reason was not because he did not love Caesar, but because he

loved Rome more. Specifically, he says:

Brutus rose against Caesar, that is my answer: Not that I

loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more ( III, ii,

21-22 )

This quote pretty much proves and summarizes Brutus’ point in his speech. To achieve

his goals, Brutus’ oratory techniques were simple, logical, and rational. Brutus’ speech is

very formal, controlled, and it seems that all of the sentences are perfectly balanced.

Although he did a very good job at explaining to the confused crowd that murdering

Caesar was for the good of Rome, he still hadn’t won them over yet. Brutus explained

again that he loved Caesar, but that his death was for the good of Rome. “ As Caesar

loved me, I weep for him” ( III, ii, 25-26 ). Brutus explains here that he still cared for

Caesar and he still also claimed that Caesar was not good for Rome because he was

ambitious. He mourns his death. Brutus came into a confused and curious crowd. After

he explained himself and...