Question

Read the excerpt below from act 5.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: Words before blows: is it so, countrymen? OCTAVIUS: Not that we love words better, as you do BRUTUS: Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. ANTONY: In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words. Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying "Long live, hail Caesar!" How does Shakespeare use language in this excerpt to create tension in the plot?

Answer 1

Into a three character conversation, Shakespeare inserts a contradiction between two themes regarding the resolution of social disputes, the use of words and the use of violence. Brutus values the use of words over the use of  violence, while Octavius differs slightly from the matter. In an attempt to help his case, Brutus stands corrected about his philosophical views as Antony remarks on the outcome of his previous actions that impacted negatively on the character Caesar.

The use of this philosophical and moral debate creates tension on the plot, making the reader ponder how they would have responded on this issue in the place of Antony.