Eulogies

Both Decius Brutus and Mark Antony, two Roman senators, eulogize Julius Caesar in
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. However, they do it in very distinct ways and with very different
approaches compared to one another. In an effort to influence the audience, Brutus delivers a
eulogy that is rather pompous and gets right to the point. By arguing that Caesar's ambition
would have been detrimental to Rome, he provides a justification for plotting against Caesar.
However, in his eulogy, Antony concentrates on the good qualities that Caesar had and deftly
disproves Brutus' excuse for executing Caesar. When it comes to reacting to the orators, the
Romans are a fickle people who fluctuate between leaders and respond emotionally rather
than logically.

Brutus is attempting to defend his involvement in the plot against Caesar. His speech starts
with the phrase "Romans, countrymen...", which is an appeal to their awareness as citizens of
Rome. He goes on to claim that they would profit as freemen as a result of Caesar's death
throughout his speech. This demonstrates that Brutus is skilled at luring the audience by
appealing to their higher judgment as Romans. In his declaration, he asserts that he is a man
of integrity and informs them that he will allow them to determine whether or not his
assertions are true. In other words, he will give the truth the opportunity to speak for itself. It
is because of this that the audience is encouraged to assume that he is a man of honor. He
expresses his desire for people to be aware of the realities, saying, "Censure me in your
wisdom, and awaken your senses so that you may be the better judge." The act of sharing
knowledge with the public is not only flattering but also near-certain to ensure approval.
When he tells them that he loved Caesar, he challenges them to name someone who loved
Caesar more than he did. This causes them to feel pity for him. Brutus asserts that he never
did anything wrong to Caesar, that he wept for Caesar's love, that he would be delighted for
Caesar's fame, and that he would praise Caesar for his bravery; nonetheless, he was forced to
murder Caesar because Caesar was so ambitious. He asserts that the impetus for the
assassination of Caesar was his profound affection for Rome. Despite the fact that he loved
Caesar, he says, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." This is his
justification for his conduct toward Rome. After that, he addresses the question in a rhetorical
manner, asking if the people would choose to spend their lives as freemen with Caesar dead
or whether they would prefer to live their lives as slaves under Caesar's authority. To
anybody who is hurt by his speech, he considers the possibility that they, as Romans who
cherish their independence, could be offended or reject what he, Brutus, has to say. "Who is
here so base that they would be a bondman?" he asks. "Who is here among us?" In order to
emphasize the issue, he reiterates the statement, which reads, "If any, speak, for him have I
offended." This gives them the opportunity to react to his rhetorical statement, "I pause for a
reply."