Now that you have read act 3, scene 2, it is important to compare the central ideas that Brutus and Antony convey to the audience at Caesar’s funeral.
In a well-structured paragraph, state the topic of the funeral orations of Brutus and Antony. Then state how the speeches are similar, and end your paragraph outlining the differences between the speeches. Use transition words to connect supporting details.
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The topic of the funeral orations of Brutus and Antony in Act 3, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar is the honor and legacy of Caesar. Both speeches share the similarity of praising Caesar's virtues, yet they take differing positions on his ambition and justification for his assassination. Brutus acknowledges the nobility and love Caesar garnered from the Roman citizens, proclaiming his respect for Caesar but ultimately seeing his ambition as a threat to the republic. Antony, on the other hand, uses irony and rhetoric to depict Caesar as a compassionate leader who cared for the people and had no ambition for power. He skillfully stirs emotions and manipulates the crowd's perception by offering evidence of Caesar's good deeds. While both speakers acknowledge Caesar's greatness, Brutus believes his ambition necessitated his demise for the good of Rome, while Antony uses manipulation and emotional appeals to argue that Caesar’s assassination was unjust. Ultimately, their contrasting perspectives on Caesar's ambition and the validity of his assassination lead to significantly different outcomes in the minds of the Roman citizens.
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