In Act Three, scene two, of Shakespeare's Julius
Caesar, Mark Antony greets the people after Brutus has explained his part in
Caesar's murder. At first the citizens of Rome are very supportive of Brutus and
Cassius, believing that Caesar was overly ambitious and a danger to Rome. This is, in
fact, what Brutus himself believed. Mark Antony has asked Brutus for permission to bury
Caesar and Brutus agrees. Mark Antony has led the conspirators to believe that he will
listen to their reasons and not try to punish them for their actions, but has secretly
pledged to see each one of them dead.
When Brutus and the
other conspirators leave, Antony begins to deliver a funeral
address:
readability="10">Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. (lines
81-82)Although he reiterates
several times that Brutus and Cassius are honorable men, Antony
does praise Caesar. He is a wonderful speaker. He relates the fact
that Caesar refused the crown three times. He speaks to the terrible wounds inflicted
upon Caesar's body. He also reveals that in his will, Caesar has left everything to the
people of Rome: seventy-five dollars to each man, as well as the lands and orchards
recently planted.Hearing all of this, the crowd turns
against Brutus and Cassius. The body of Caesar is removed. It is at this point that a
servant arrives to tell Antony that Octavius and Lepidus have arrived and are waiting at
Caesar's house. Antony tells the servant he will visit with "him," referring to
Octavius.readability="7">ANTONY:
And
thither will I straight to visit him.He comes upon a wish.
(277-278)In answer to the
question, Antony goes to meet Octavius.
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