See how many references to omens and signs you can find in the play and make note of who says them and their reaction. Which of these signs and omens appear more than others? Even the cynical Cassius gets superstitious after losing confidence during the battle in Act 5 Scene 1. There is a surge of omens leading up to Caesar’s murder and both Casca and Calphurnia see significance in so many of them happening at once. Within moments of Caesar’s first appearance, he is hailed by a Soothsayer who delivers an ominous warning, saying ‘Beware the ides of March.’ (1:2) Caesar’s very first action in the play is to position his wife close to Antony during a race, thinking it will break her ‘barren curse’, and in Act 2 Scene 2 Calphurnia's dreams prompt Caesar to order a sacrifice to the gods. Superstition appears in Julius Caesar from the very start of the play. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain how he uses language to get the crowd to agree with him. Using Alex’s points on rhetoric, we’ve started to look at how Antony persuades and moves the mob/crowd in his Act 3 Scene 2 speech. Just as Alex thinks about in the first video, when talking about Brutus, can you imagine how an actor playing Antony might perform this speech? Look at Antony’s speech in the text and think about his use of repetition, antithesis and emotion. At what moments do you think Brutus or Antony show emotion of their own? How are you able to tell? Which of them feels more emotionally charged and what is the impact of that?. What does Antony say and do in this speech to move the crowd emotionally?. Thinking about these two speakers, ask yourself: Showing emotion or inspiring emotion in your audience is an important skill for a public speaker. How many examples of antithesis can you find in Brutus’ speech? Looking back at the first video, what does Alex Waldmann do in performance to make these opposites stand out?. How does Antony talk about Brutus? How many times does he repeat the words ‘honourable man’ and how does the meaning of this statement change each time he uses it?. If you write down all the words that Brutus repeats more than others, what would you think his speech was about? Does Brutus’ use of repetition make him easier or harder to listen to? Which of his words stand out as a result of being repeated? Repetition usually helps to plant ideas in the minds of the people listening. How do Antony and Brutus each use repetition and antithesis? Ask yourself: My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,Īnd I must pause till it come back to me. O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts,Īnd men have lost their reason!-Bear with me What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for You all did love him once, not without cause. 
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept Īmbition should be made of sterner stuff. Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, He was my friend, faithful and just to me, The good is oft interrèd with their bones. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
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