Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

ANTONY - The noble Brutus Hath told you that Caesar was ambitious; If it was so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.

1. Bring out the real purpose of Antony's speech. How does he succeed? (Understanding & Analysis)
2. State two instances cited by Antony in his speech to prove to the mob that Caesar was not ambitious. (Application)
3. What is the word used by Antony in his speech which is a repetition in a sarcastic manner (verbal irony) to incite the mob to anger and fury? How does he cleverly play on the emotions of the mob against Brutus indirectly refuting what Brutus spoke of Caesar? (Recalling, Application & Analysis)
4. Why does Antony ask the mob to bear with him? What is his ulterior motive in doing so? (Understanding)
5. What is the reaction of the mob? What do they discuss among themselves? Give two instances of their conversation. (Analysis)
6. What qualities of Antony do you admire? What character traits of Antony are portrayed in his speech? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. Antony’s real purpose is to turn the citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators and to defend Caesar’s honour. He succeeds by speaking indirectly, using irony, repetition and emotional arguments until the crowd begins to doubt Brutus.
2. Antony proves that Caesar was not ambitious by saying that:
   • Caesar brought captives to Rome whose ransoms filled the public treasury.
   • Caesar wept when he saw the poor suffering.
3. The repeated expression is ‘Brutus is an honourable man’. Antony uses it sarcastically until the words begin to mean the opposite. He reminds the citizens of Caesar’s kindness, sympathy for the poor and refusal of the crown, thereby indirectly disproving Brutus’ charge of ambition.
4. Antony asks the mob to bear with him because he pretends to be overcome with grief for Caesar. His real purpose is to create sympathy for Caesar and give the crowd time to become emotionally involved.
5. The mob begins to question Brutus’ judgement and gradually turns in favour of Caesar and Antony. For example, one citizen says that there is much reason in Antony’s words, while another remarks that Caesar was not ambitious.
6. Antony is intelligent, loyal, persuasive and politically clever. His speech shows his skill as an orator, his understanding of human emotions and his ability to influence the crowd without openly attacking the conspirators at first.