Question

How do Brutus and Mark Antony differ in their understanding of their audience, the Roman crowd?

Answer 1

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information:

Brutus overlooks that the majority of the crowd served Julius Caesar the military general. He appeals to their citizenship as Romans by calling them first by that name in his salutation: "Romans, countrymen, lovers." Mark Antony, however, speaks in terms understood by the military, by calling them first by, "Friends, Romans, countrymen." He recalls not only Caesar the general but Caesar the friend, whose body they see covered with stab wounds.

Answer 2

The speeches that Brutus and Mark Antony deliver differ in several ways. However, one of the most important differences they exhibit is the way in which each speaker addresses the audience.

In the case of Brutus, he decides to appeal to his audience's minds. He speaks in a somewhat impersonal way that suggests that he does not understand the audience deeply. Moreover, his description of the motives of the plot is dry, and it underestimates the connection that the audience felt to Julius Caesar.

On the other hand, Mark Antony seems to understand the crowd better. He uses emotional words that create a more personal relationship. He also focuses on the importance that Julius Caesar had for the audience. This creates a more successful and dramatic speech.