Antony+Analysis

Mark Antony in //Julius Caesar// by William Shakespeare is extremely persuasive and a good public orator, but he is also a scheming conspirator and wants sole leadership over Rome. Antony’s speech given to the plebeians is immensely persuasive and begins the havoc that ravages Rome. By using only his words, Antony “[lets] slip the dogs of war” (3.1.299) upon Rome which is a response to the “mutiny and rage” (3.2.134) within the plebeians. Shakespeare uses warlike diction throughout Antony’s speech to inspire rage and anger throughout the plebeians, and Antony’s speech also serves as an example as to how persuasive Antony is to a crowd when he speaks. Although he may lead the crazy mob with the next triumvirate, Antony plans to lead Rome himself. Antony begins planning Lepidus’s end in the triumvirate and shows the audience “slight, unmeritable” (4.1.14) personality traits he hides within him. Shakespeare is setting the audience up for when Antony tries to take Rome for himself, and he also hints towards Antony’s true motives for releasing anarchy upon Rome. Though the audience and many of the characters in //Julius Caesar// may love him, Antony is a sneaky conspirator who wants sole power over Rome, and he uses his persuasive tongue to begin his rise into power.
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