Antony And Octavius Caesar example essay topic

Mark Antony It is human nature to change one's personality to fit the situation. People behave differently when speaking to a dignitary that when talking to a friend. Over time one can change due to a loss or gain of power, sometimes for the better or worse. In Julius Caesar, for example, Mark Antony goes through several changes. Mark Antony loved Julius Caesar, yet when he passed away Mark Antony swears vengeance, and ultimately is corrupted by the power of running a country. At the beginning of the play Antony is harmless and extremely loyal to Julius Caesar.

Mark Antony is about to run a race, but "When Caesar says 'Do this,' it is performed". It is almost as if Mark Antony is only a puppet to Julius Caesar. He is being respectful of his leader, yet it seems as if he is fearful of him. While Caesar does not realize Mark Antony's potential, Brutus underestimates him. Brutus refers to Rome as a body and Caesar as the head, yet "To cut the head off and then hack the limbs" would be killing Mark Antony. If the head of something was shot, there is no need to try to shoot the heart.

Julius Caesar is concerned about his well-being, for good reason. Casc a has been speaking in low tones and Caesar would "Have men about me that are fat" because he feels that they can be trusted easier. Caesar trusts Mark Antony as his closest confidant due to the fact that they have been like brothers all their lives. A conspiracy is planned, Caesar is killed, and Mark Antony becomes a skillful, planning, and vengeful manipulator. When Caesar dies Mark Antony has "Fled to his house amazed" because one of his closest friends has been killed.

The conspirators have judged Antony to be a coward, and therefore do not respect him. He sends his servant to see if it is safe to speak with the conspirators. When they finally meet, he shook everyone's hand, "but was indeed swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar". By seeing the corpse of his friend, he has been moved to tears. When they leave, "Over thy wounds now do I prophesy" to seek vengeance on those who murdered Caesar. As the day progresses, Mark Antony would like to hold a funeral service for Caesar.

Brutus speaks first, yet he allows Antony his say, even after he has left. He admits that "The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft in terr " ed with their bones". He gives the crowd a reason to hate Brutus by contradicting every single point that he made. By gaining the crowd's approval he is able to display the conspirators not for the heroes that they claim to be, but the butchers which they are.

This leads to Antony having a part in the second triumvirate. While in the second triumvirate, Antony is corrupted and becomes greedy. As the conspirators were driven away, the new leaders of Rome are making a list of the people who were associated or that they just plain don't like. This has made Mark Antony callous, as "These many then shall die; their names are pricked". Two names on the list are Lepidus' brother, and Antony's nephew. He then sends Lepidus on an errand to get Caesar's will and proceeds to mock Lepidus and compare him to an ass "To groan and sweat under the business".

Caesar had left a will that was being discussed at the same time. Antony takes little portions of each citizen's legacy from Caesar's will "And we shall determine how to cut off some charge in legacies", to pay for his army. The armies of both Antony and Octavius Caesar march toward Brutus' and Cassius' armies. They meet at Philippi after Brutus has seen Caesar's ghost. Before the battle begins, Antony tries to compose a battle strategy. Octavius Caesar refuses and Mark Antony wonders "Why do you cross me in this exigent?" He believes that since he is older he should be the one to make the plans.

He is angered that someone younger than him should be so disobedient, yet he was once a different man. Mark Antony plays several roles, ranging from that of a devoted follower, to a clever manipulator, to a greedy and corrupted individual. At the end of the battle, Mark Antony knows that Brutus "Was the noblest Roman of them all". He plays on Brutus's else of honor and deceives him to gain power. Antony has learned that mistakes can and have been made by Brutus, yet he does not try to explain Brutus' actions.