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| but sinks with rapidity into a cynical manipulator" (102). Antony is physically impressive, and traces his heritage back to Hercules. He has many good virtues, such as, courage, congeniality, generosity, and liberality. He is one of a rare breed of leaders that could socialize and drink with the troops as an equal, but still command their respect. Yet, there is a duality in Antony's nature. "These attractive traits, however, were more than counterbalanced by his vices: he was corrupt, lecherous, and cruel" (68). When Cicero denounces Antony, he wants him killed. "He did not stop there: he had the body dismembered and the head and hands put on display" (68). After his head was brought to him, he played with it, laughing and feeling great joy. The speech that Brutus gives is short and to the point. He is overconfident knowing that he is the one that is skilled at speech. He speaks with little emotion and assumes the mob has the same sentiment as he does. When Brutus finishes his oration, Antony appears dramatically with the bloodstained body of Caesar cradled in his arms. The masses are stunned. The stage is set. Their mighty Caesar, the great conqueror, has been reduced to a heap of bloody cloth. Antony, not known as an orator, will now show Brutus how to work a crowd. continue | ||
