Act 3 Notes
Scene 1
Antony has a hard time being friendly with the conspirators. What he says to Brutus is different from how he actually feels.
Find some lines that show what he really thinks about the assassination and what he says to Brutus.
Make two columns. One to show what he really thinks about the assassination and what he says to Brutus. Copy the lines into each column and explain what he is actually saying. Start at the speech his servant gives (lines138-152) and continue until All but Anthony exit (line 279)
Antony’s strong feelings of grief and his desire for revenge show his images of Caesar’s dead body and the consequences of the murder. Find the lines that describe the following:
1. A picture of Caesar’s wounds wanting to speak to us and tell us of his murder.
2. A picture of a world where violence will become so common that mothers will feel nothing when their children are slaughtered.
3. The Goddess of Revenge let loose from hell.
4. War seen as fierce dogs let of the leash for attack
5. The evil of Caesar’s murder as a smell of rotting flesh.
Scene 2
Brutus gives his funeral oration before Antony and the plebeians are on his side.
Fill in the chart and answer the questions to better understand what he says.
OUTLINE OF BRUTUS FUNERAL ORATION
I. Introduction
I rose against Caesar not that I ______less, but that I ______more.
II. Body
A. Part I: Cause and Effect
1. Because Caesar loved me. I ______for him, and there are ______for his love.
2. Because Caesar was fortune, I ______for him, and there is ______for his fortune.
3. Because Caesar was valiant, I ______him, and there is ______for his valor.
4. Because Caesar was ambitious. I ______him, and there is ______for his ambition.
B. Part II: Rhetorical Questions
1. Who is here so ______that would be a ______?
2. Who is here so ______that would not be a ______?
3. Who is here so ______that would not love ______?
III. Conclusion
A. Whom then have I offended? ______.
B. The reason for Caesar’s death are recorded______.
1. His glory where in he was ______is not ______.
2. His offences for which he ______are not ______.
Questions:
Is Brutus’ speech written in poetry or prose?
Why does Shakespeare choose this form?
What is the overall tone of this speech?
Does Brutus accomplish his reason for delivering the speech?
What mistake does Brutus make in speaking first?
Turning the Tide: Antony
Outline of Antony’s Funeral Oration. After Brutus gives his speech, Antony takes the pulpit and delivers his speech. Fill in the blanks. You may hand write. Answer the questions at the end.
I. Introduction
Antony: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
II. Body
A. Part I: Refuting Caesar’s Ambition
1. Proof 1: ______.
2. Proof 2: ______.
3. Proof 3: ______.
B. First Pause:
Antony: “Bear with me, / My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it comes back to me.”
4th citizen: “ … ‘ tis certain he [Caesar] was not ambitious.”
C. Part II: First Mention of Caesar’s Will:
1. The effects if the crowd were to read the will: ______
______
D. Second Pause
Antony descends from pulpit and crowd forms a ring around body of Caesar.
E. Part III: Description of Caesar’s Corpse
1. Description of mantle: ______
______
2. Names of conspirators involved: ______
______
3. Effects of Brutus’ stabbing: ______
______.
4. Citizen’s reaction to Antony’s words: ______
5. Antony’s self-deprecation: ______
______.
F. Part IV: Contents of Caesar’s Will
1. Each Roman citizen: ______
______
2. Citizen’s private estate:______
______
III. Conclusion
Antony: “Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
Questions
1. Antony chooses his words carefully in his speech. Of what importance are the words “honorable” and “ambition” in the speech?
2. Antony uses the following refrain several times in his speech. What purpose does this refrain serve? What effect did it have on the crowd? What effect does it have on you?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
3. Antony uses emotional appeals to the audience throughout his speech. List examples from the speech and show what emotion Antony is appealing to.
4. During his speech, Antony lists six rhetorical skills (his self-deprecation) that he, as a speaker, lacks. Why does he do this? Does he really lack these skills?
5. Several places during the speech, Antony pauses. What is the purpose behind these pauses? Is his intended effect achieved?
The citizens are at first reluctant to stay and listen to Antony. They only do so because Brutus asks them to. They gradually change sides as Antony speaks. With the help of the following questions, see if you can trace the stages by which this happens. Write down the line (or mark it in your book).
1. Which is the first line from a citizen that shows Antony’s first long speech is having some effect?
2. Pick out one of the citizens’ lines which shows Antony’s message about the accusation of “ambition” in Caesar has got to them.
3. How do they now feel about Antony himself?
4. After the next section of his speech, what is the crowd’s reaction?
5. What feelings do they now have about the conspirators?
6. How do they feel about Caesar when they see his body?
7. Gradually, Antony turns their grief into desire for revenge. Which is the first line that shows this?
8. Find one or two lines from the citizens toward the end of the scene that shows their intentions now.