Manipulating The Mass

Julius Caesar, probably written in 1599, was the earliest of Shakespeare's three Roman history plays. William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is perhaps the most widely read English poet and dramatist in the world. His plays and poems have been translated into every major language, and his popularity is greater now than it was in his own lifetime. The document is accompanied by a painting by A.Zick, which is titled The Death of Julius Caesar. It depicts Antony and Caesar’s corpse being circled by an angry crowd.

The text is an extract from the third act and scene two of Julius Caesar, which also happens to be one of the most critical points of the entire play. The two documents are both set right after Caesar’s murder by Brutus and the group of the conspirators and after Brutus’ speech. Mark Anthony then makes his appearance after obtaining permission to give a funeral oration.

First of all, we will distinguish the two images of Caesar given in this document, and then how Mark Antony manages to get the crowd on his side.

By reading the extract, we notice that the common people of Rome and Antony don’t share the same impression of Caesar.

In fact, the crowd has already been manipulated by Brutus into thinking that Caesar was a tyrant and an extremely ambitious leader, who would have brought nothing but desolation (despair, wretchedness) and left Rome in ruins if he hadn’t been stopped. The Plebeians even rejoice in Caesar’s death and say that they are “blest that Rome is rid of him”. This reflects the intensity of their hatred for Caesar. They are being so aggressive about the situation that even Antony at first, has troubles getting their attention. The painting clearly shows their hostility (enmity, aggression) since they are all gathered in front of Anthony and Caesar’s dead body, all at while trying to reach them with their hands.

Antony however, presents another image of Caesar, which is completely different from the one above. As a matter of fact, even though he claims in his speech that he will not praise Caesar, he keeps pointing out his qualities.

First of all, he starts his speech by saying that “The evil that men do lives after them, The good oft interred with their bones”, which means that the only thing we remember about the people who die, are the negative aspects and not the positives ones, therefore, Caesar had good in him.

He goes on stating that Caesar who was his good friend, was “faithful and just” but modest as well because he “thrice refused” the kingly crown. He also adds that Caesar brought many captives home so that the ransoms paid for their release would bring money to Rome. According to Antony, Caesar was obviously a good leader who helped the poor and sympathized with them. He was also a good general who managed to lead the nation to victory, therefore Rome was lucky to have him as a leader.

By the end of Antony’s speech, the Plebeians no longer share Brutus’ impression of Caesar but instead support Antony’s. In fact, they now believe that an injustice has be done to their beloved leader and if Brutus’ and the conspirators’ accusations towards Caesar (“The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious”) reveal to be untrue, then hey will pay dearly. This shows how much they admire and honor him.

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