ANTONY. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

Question

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interrèd with their bones.

So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious.

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answered it.

Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—

For Brutus is an honourable man,

So are they all, all honourable men—

Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.

–The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,

William Shakespeare

Which details support the central idea that Antony is not being straightforward, but is criticizing the conspirators? Check all that apply.

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”
“I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”
“The good is oft interrèd with their bones.”
“For Brutus is an honourable man”
“So are they all, all honourable men”

Answer 1

The details that support the central idea that Antony is not being straightforward and is criticizing the conspirators are:

1. “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” - This statement suggests that he is ostensibly there to honor Caesar's memory but subtly indicates that he will highlight the wrongness of Caesar's murder.

2. “For Brutus is an honourable man” - This line is repeated throughout Antony's speech and serves as a sarcastic remark, calling Brutus's honor into question while appearing to praise him.

3. “So are they all, all honourable men.” - Similar to the previous line, this phrase casts doubt on the integrity of all the conspirators while maintaining a facade of respect.

These lines work together to undermine the conspirators and reveal Antony's true intentions, contrary to his surface message of mourning.