8. �Romans, countrymen and lovers� (Act III Scene2, line13)
a. This is a speech based on reason (unlike Antony�s later, which is based on passion). Why does Brutus say the crowd should believe him?
He felt as if he was doing his actions for the people, and not just himself.
b. How many words can you find that are antithetical (that is, in strong contrast), such as �less�/ �more�, �living�/ �dead�? What is the cumulative effect?
Death, love, rude, believe, against, affended, valor, ambitious, wisdom, honor, dear, value, glory, worthy, and offenses. These words help the persuade the people in believing him.
c. Many words and phrases are balanced: for example, �As Caesar loved me, I weep for him ; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him�. Find more, and say why they are calculated to win over the crowd.
"Not the I loved Caesar less, but I love Rome more." They are calculated to win the crowd over because these people are "Rome" and he wanted to show his support to them.
9. �Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears� (Act III Scene 2, line 71)
a. Antony uses the word �honourable� to describe Brutus and Cassius eight times. Each time the way in which it is spoken is different, and with a different purpose. Carefully trace the transition from the first �For Brutus was an honourable man� to �They that have done this deed are honourable�, explaining how Antony�s oratory has led the crowd from one point of view to another.
He wants to show that although they are honourable men, they also do bad and untrustworthy acts. For example, killing Caesar.
b. In his second sentence, Antony says he is content to let Caesar�s good points be buried with his bones. How many good points does he in fact make before this 35-line speech is ended?
None, because the people already knew how great caesar was.
c. How does Antony deploy the words �ambition� and �ambitious� to win over the commoners to hid point of view?
Antony simply stated that Brutus' excuse for killing Caesar was that he was too ambitious, but Brutus himself was ambitious for killing Caesar.