נאומו של ברוטוס, מתוך המחזה ‘יוליוס קיסר’ מאת שייקספיר

לשם כך הוא משתמש בטכניקה המשלבת סדרת שאלות רטוריות עם כשלים לוגיים, כגון ‘מי מכם כל כך בזוי שיעדיף להיות עבד?  ירים קולו, כי ברגשותיו פגעתי’.

הנאום מצליח, וכאשר אנטוניוס קם הקהל דורש את דמו, וברוטוס מבקש להרשות לאנטוניוס לחלוק כבוד אחרון לקיסר – טעות טראגית שגם תעלה לו בחייו. נאומו של אנטוניוס ארוך בהרבה ומשכנע בהרבה, ובסיומו קמים הרומאים לעשות שפטים דווקא בברוטוס וחבריו. (על הרקע והמסר של הנאום)

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.

If there be any 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 demand 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 die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.

There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

Citizens:  None, Brutus, none. 

Brutus:  Then none have I offended. 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 extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences 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.

Brutus:  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 spoke.  [Exit].

יש לכם הערות?  שאלות?  ביקורת?