Brutus and Antony produce different tactics to sway the people’s opinions about Caesar. Both men present different points about Caesar and his rule in Rome. Brutus’ basis for his speech is presenting an explanation of why he planned and participated in Caesar’s execution.
Antony uses a tactic of brainwashing by telling the crowd that he is there to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Both men are successful, yet Antony holds the upper hand by speaking after Caesar. Brutus opens his speech by asking the people to believe in his honor and respect it. He tells the crowd that he loved Caesar as much as any of his listeners. His ultimate explanation, which seems very good, is Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”
He appeals to the crowd by asking them if they all wish to be bondmen or noble Romans. He pauses for a response, and the people say there are none that wish to be slaves. Brutus appeals to the people’s lives and how they wish to live them. He tells the crowd that he helped to kill Caesar for the people and their well-being. He is giving a noble speech, and it seems well put together. Antony opens his speech by saying, I am here to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”
He brainwashes the crowd with this line by getting them to think that he does not care about Caesar’s death. For he is on Brutus’ side now. The basis of his speech is on the ambition of Caesar. He appeals that he had very little ambition.
He says that Caesar brought home many captives for money and asks if this is ambition. He follows this by saying, But Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man.” He repeats this phrase four times throughout his speech, putting emphasis on the people’s belief that Antony is on Brutus’ side. Then Antony asks the people if they all loved him once, why do they not mourn for him now?
Making them question themselves about their faith, he then tells them that his heart is in the coffin with Caesar and he must pause. This shows the crowd that he loves Caesar and truly misses him. When he returns to speaking, he talks about how he should do Caesar and Cassius wrong.
He says he will not because they are honorable men. By repeating this throughout the speech, he puts the impression in the people’s minds that Brutus and Cassius have brainwashed Antony and maybe they really are not honorable men. Finally, he puts the crowd into the palm of his hand by telling them Caesar has a will for them that includes money. This is what captures them to Antony’s side. The crowd then wants to find Brutus and his followers and kill them. Brutus gives the crowd a straightforward explanation of why they killed Caesar.
He tries to show them that it is in their own interest and they should be thankful, for they are not slaves. Antony plays off Brutus’ speech when Brutus states that Caesar had ambition. He brainwashes the crowd at the end of his speech by showing sorrow and ultimately pausing because he says his heart is in the coffin with Caesar. When Antony brings up the part about the will, this gets them where he wants them. Antony plays the role of being innocent.
He shows the crowd he has changed to Brutus’ side, yet he hurts on the inside. Brutus stuck to being truthful, while Antony played off of Brutus’ speech and used tactics of brainwashing his listeners. Ultimately, it worked, and what a clever idea it was.
