"They are all honorable men" - Markus-Antonius speech by Shakespeare
"Julius Caesar" is one of Shakespeare's historical dramas and the speeches of Brutus and Antony are perhaps the The pinnacle of William Shakespeare's political rhetoric. And one of the dramatic climaxes of the play takes place immediately after the murder of Julius Caesar - the Hormai 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.
Mark Antony's speech
Antony's speech is A response to Brutus' speech. It is much longer and much more impressive. Antonius knows that he is starting from a very weak point, and at the beginning of his words he makes sure to be modest and hide his intentions - "I did not come to praise Caesar but to bury him" has become a classic quote. Antony reminds the crowd of Caesar's good deeds and achievements.
Gradually, Antony shifts the blame for the betrayal of the Republic and the attempt to take it over from the late Caesar to the group of conspirators who murdered him. He begins by questioning their reasons for murder, then their patriotism, and finally their humanity. In a brilliant rhetorical exercise, he constantly uses the phrase "aren't they men of honor" when gradually the phrase turns from a sincere compliment, to an intriguing question, then to a scroll, then to sarcasm, and finally to a curse and an accusation (the phrase honorable men marked in red, for convenience).
At the end of the speech, the crowd is already angry and angry and attacks Brutus and his friends who are forced to flee and later in the play are executed. (On the background and message of the speech)
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– Antonius: |
So are they all, all honorable men,— Come I to speak at Cæsar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
He has brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, And I must pause until it comes back to me.
- First Cit: Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
– Sec. Cit. If you consider correctly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong.
– Third Cit. Has he, masters? I fear there will be a worse come in his place.
– Fourth Cit. Did you mark his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
– First Cit. If it be found so, some will dearly abide it.
– Antonius: But yesterday the word of Cæsar might have stood against the world;
now he lies there, And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters! if I were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honorable men.
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose to wrong the dead,
to wrong myself, and you, Than I will wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Cæsar; I found it in his closet, 'tis his will.
Let but the commons hear this testament— Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy. Unto their issue.
– Fourth Cit. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
– Citizens. The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will.
It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad.
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For if you should, O! what would come of it.
– Fourth Cit. Read the will! we'll hear it, Antony;
I fear I am wrong honorable men Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar; I do fear it
– Sec. Cit. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will.
And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? [ANTONY comes down]
– Antonius: Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off
– Citizens. Stand back! room! bear back!
You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on;
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii.
Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Cæsar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd If Brutus so unkindly knocked'd or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: Judge, O you gods! how dearly Cæsar lov'd him.
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, stronger than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquished'd him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell.
While bloody treason flourished over us. Oh! now you cry, and I perceive you feel
The dint of pity; these are gracious drops.
Kind souls; what! weep you when you but behold Our Cæsar's vesture wounded?
Look you here, Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
First Cit. O piteous spectacle!
Those who have done this deed are honorable:
What private griefs they have, alas! I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honorable,
and will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend;
and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men's blood:
I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know,
Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me:
but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits,
Wherein hath Cæsar thus deserv'd your loves? Alas! you know not:
I must tell you then. You have forgotten the will I told you of.
To each several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Ant. Hear me with patience.
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbors, and newly-planted orchards, On this side Tiber;
he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
