Question

Debate on whether antony as friend did right or wrong in julius caeser

Answer 1

Hi friend,

Your answer:

I think that Antony as a close friend of Caesar did right in "Julius Caesar"

Mark Antony wanted to prove Caesar innocent. But he was aware that he could not speak negatively about the conspirators so openly. He uses various stylistic devices of speech to make the audience believe his point of view. He slowly imparts doubt that Brutus’s words can be trusted.

Antonio had planned to read Caesar's will the whole time but he taunted the the mob knowingly so that they would beg to him to listen to the will. He teased them by saying that it wasn’t proper for them to know how much Caesar loved them and that being men, the contents of Caesar’s will would enrage them.

In his will, Julius Caesar gave 75 drachmas (about $6000 in today's situation) to every man in Rome. He had also left all his walkways to the Roman people—in his private gardens and newly planted orchards—on the side of the Tiber River. 

This helped Antony in convincing the crowd about Caesar's innocence and greatness. For in a few minutes, the crowd changed their perception from ‘This Caesar was a tyrant’ to ‘noble Caesar’ once again. Brutus who they thought as ‘honorable’ became a traitor in their eyes. The mob got angry and wild and wanted to kill the traitors.

In this way, Antony was successful in instigating the people of Rome against the conspirators and thus, avenged Caesar's murder.

Hope it helps!