Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Was the conspiracy a success or failure?

The conspiracy against Julius Caesar was a failure. The conspirators did succeed in killing Caesar but they were not able to kill the desire for revenge from the Triumverate. Because Brutus did not heed Cassius' warning about killing Antony and allowing him to speak at the funeral, it left the conspirators wide open for Antony's revenge. Antony is able to manipulate the plebeians during Caesar's funeral and get them on his side. Antony bids the plebeians to circle around Caesar's dead body, appealing to the Roman people's emotions and sympathies.


"Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold
Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marred, as you see, with traitors." (Act 3, Scene 2, line 190-193)
Antony is able to rouse the anger of the Roman people. Once the mob mentality settles in, there is no turning back. They too, desire revenge on the conspirators. Brutus, in turn, loses the respect of the people he thought he was protecting Caesar from.

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