Brutus' speech, from the play 'Julius Caesar' by Shakespeare
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"Julius Caesar" is one of William Shakespeare's historical dramas (along with Hamlet Macbeth and others, but less tragic than them) and one of the dramatic climaxes of the play takes place immediately after the murder of Julius Caesar - the Roman crowd gathers and demands explanations for the murder. Two brilliant speakers stand up to present their words to the audience - Brutus the killer and his political rival Marcus-Antonius. Brutus speaks first. This is a short and engrossing speech. When he stands up, the audience is indeed surprised, enraged and demands explanations, but since the people suspected Caesar and feared him, Brutus knows that the audience is with him and does not feel the need to justify the murder. Instead, he is mainly concerned with protecting his good name from being accused of treason (he was Caesar's adopted son) and defaming those who challenge his words. |
James Mamison (Brutus) and Marlon Brand (Antonius) |
For this he uses a technique that combines a series of rhetorical questions with logical fallacies, such as 'Which of you is so despicable that he would rather be a slave? Raise his voice, because I hurt his feelings.'
The speech is successful, and when Antony stands up, the crowd demands his blood, and Brutus asks to allow Antony to pay his last respects to Caesar - a tragic mistake that will also cost him his life. Antony's speech Much longer and much more persuasive, and at the end of it, the Romans rise up to judge Brutus and his friends. (On the background and message of the speech)
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may be the better judge.
If there be anyone in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If then that friend asks why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and all slaves died, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved me, I wept for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.
There are tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor; and death for his ambition. Who is here so basic that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him I have offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him I have offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him I have offended. I pause for a reply.
Citizens: None, Brutus, none.
Bruce: Then none have offended me. I have done no more to Cæsar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not exhausted, wherein he was worthy, nor his offenses enforced, for which he suffered death.
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the common wealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.
Bruce: Good countrymen, let me depart alone, And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. Do grace to Cæsar's corpse, and grace his speech Tending to Cæsar's glories, which Mark Antony, By our permission, is allow'd to make. I do entreat you, not a man depart, Save I alone, till Antony have spoken. [Exit].
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