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The character of Mark Antony

Mark Antony, in the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, was a brave, intelligent, pleasure-loving, andcunning man. He was loyal to his friend, Caesar, whom he considered a true friend. He looked at life as agame in which he had a signified part to play, and played that part with excellent refinement and skill.Antony was devoted and preferred to be dependent upon Julius Caesar since he rather have enjoyed lifethan to claim the highest position in the government. He wanted the crown to be given to Caesar so thatall conflicts could be avoided. However, this additional power contributed to the conspirator's motive toassassinate him. Antony was distraught with Caesar's death and sought revenge first by speaking to thecrowd in his speech. He showed how clever and cunning he could be when he convinced the crowd atCaesar's funeral ceremony to side with him and not with the murderers. The people became excited androwdy when he teased them about the will, waving it in the air and pretending as if he was not going toread it. Reverse psychology is used when he first pretends to respect the conspirators calling themhonorable men, and then slowly proving that they are not. He speaks out against them because he wantedpower for himself, and unlike Brutus, he is politically ambitious and so believes that if he can take controlwhile the state is in turmoil, he will remain in power. He was alone in making this oration, yet he wasconfidant in himself and courageous.Rome began to collapse once Caesar was killed, and Antony was left without anyone to trust. He did notwant to side with the conspirators whom he valued slightly. However, he felt his duty was to carry onCaesar's reign and clear his name. Therefore he joined the Second Triumvirate and became a great leader.Antony was looked down upon by all the conspirators except for Brutus. They wanted to kill Antony as wellas Caesar because they feared that he would become as powerful as him and possibly a dictator. Brutuspersuaded the others not to add to the assassination by saying, "And for Mark Antony, think not of him:for he can do no more than Caesar's arm when Caesar's head is off"(2.1.181-183). Brutus underestimatedAntony and perceived him as a person who didn't always take life seriously, couldn't have a serious natureand therefore, not a thinker. Brutus continued to argue with Cassius who did not believe him. "Alas, goodCassius, do not think of him. If he love Caesar, all that he can do is to himself -- take thought and die forCaesar. And that were much he should, for he is given to sports, to wildness, and much company(2.1.185-189). Brutus judged him as being frivolous, and simply liking sport and partying, with areputation for womanizing. Unfortunately for Brutus and the conspirators he was respected by Caesar andso simply couldn't be ignored.Caesar respected Antony, and his way of life. He defended him when he said, "See! Antony, that revels(makes merry) long a-nights, is notwithstanding (however) up. Good morrow, Antony" (2.4.116-117).Caesar did not think Antony to be a threat to anyone.Antony's character was slow to emerge, and it wasn't until he was forced to show his true potential, couldhe really be judged. He was a character with many hidden traits until he was forced to show his truecharacter while defending Caesar after his death. He was misunderstood by all, and his true leadershipqualities were underestimated. Once he became a leader of Rome, his true character was uncovered.

The Character of Mark Antony

Mark Antony

The character of Mark Antony from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar may be viewed as simply the confident and devoted supporter of JuliusCaesar. On the contrary, Antony presents the qualities of a shrewd flatterer, aruthless tyrant, as well as a loyal follower. Antony’s characteristics willchange as the play progresses. He will begin using flattery to get what hewants, but he will eventually depend on his powerful relentlessness.Furthermore, Antony uses these various attributes to make him successful.Throughout the play, Antony uses flattering to achieve his goals.Following the assassination of Caesar, Antony quickly grasps that he mustdeal with Brutus, and he has the shrewdness to take advantage of Brutus’sgullibility. Antony has his servant say, "Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, andhonest" (III i 126). From this point, it is clear that Antony intends to flatter Brutus and to work upon those personal qualities of Brutus which representhis fundamental weaknesses. Antony then comes to the Capitol where hefurther flatters the conspirators by shaking their hands and saying, "Friendsam I with you all, and love you all..." (III i 220). This act symbolizes thatAntony has made a new friendship with the conspirators, but in reality, he is plotting to seek revenge so he can take over Rome. Antony is also able toflatter the vast angry crowd in order to get his way. He is first able to get thecrowd to feel sorry for him. This feeling is evident when the second plebeiansays, "Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping" (III ii 116). Antony isthen able to turn the people in the crowd against Brutus by teasing them withCaesar’s will. Antony says, "And being men, hearing the will of Caesar, itwill inflame you, it will make you mad" (III ii 144-145). This blandishment provokes an immediate response of the crowd demanding that Antony readCaesar’s will. Although Antony uses flattery to get what he wants, he willalso show respect for others with his devotion and loyalty.One of the most significant characteristics of Mark Antony is hisstrong, affectionate loyalty to Julius Caesar. Antony’s devotion to Caesar extends beyond a simple friendship, but politically as well. This fact is bestrecognized when he offers Caesar the crown of Rome three times in the beginning of the play. This act shows that Antony is dedicated to Caesar because he is quite willing to serve under the rule of an ambitious tyrant.Immediately following the assassination of Caesar, Antony acts as though heis a friend of the conspirators’. On the contrary, he is secretly plotting to gethis revenge on all of the assassins. Antony later reveals his true feelings in awholehearted soliloquy before the bloody cadaver of Caesar, "Thou art theruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times" (III i 256-257).Antony believes that Caesar was the most imposing man ever to livethroughout the course of history. To prove his loyalty, Antony gives aconfident and persuasive speech at Caesar’s funeral despite an extremedanger on his own life. First, Antony expresses his sadness and grief over thedeath of his distinguished friend. However, as the speech progresses,Antony’s emotions transform into extreme anger towards the conspiratorswhen he says to the crowd, "Look you here, here is himself/Marred as yousee with traitors" (III ii 197-198). The people in the crowd were so moved by his speech that they were willing to go to war against the conspirators. Bystarting this civil war, Antony again risks his own life to get revenge on theassassins of Caesar. Antony realizes that loyalty is an advantageous qualityfor a person to possess. He emphasizes this speculation when he does not kill

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