Alliances in Julius Caesar Act Thesis

These quotes also enhance the plays parallelism by balancing not only the sentence structure, but also showing several sides of the issue. Of course, each side is shown in the specific light that Antony sees it in, but in a roundabout way that makes his conclusions the only reasonable ones.

And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?"(pg 138) "Here was a caesar! When comes such another?"(pg 146) "Tis good you know not that you are his heirs, for if you should, o, what would come of it"(pg 136)

These quotes also use three different tactics to achieve their end of persuading the commoners over to Antony's side. In the first, Antony asks permission, seemingly showing his humility and putting the focus on Caesar and on the people themselves while really drawing attention and belief to his side. In the second, Antony again praises Caesar, but with an open-ended and ultimately unanswerable question.This causes the commoners to ponder for themselves just how great Caesar truly was, but in such a way that guides them towards the belief that Caesar was unparalleled in his personality and achievements. The last quote is both a direct appeal to the commoners and another illustration of Caesar's greatness, as the stated fact that they are his heirs gives them both the promise of gain and the evidence of Caesar's love. The rhetorical questions have one effect on the commoners, but a different effect on the reader within the context of the whole play. These open ended questions force a consideration of Caesar's true character, not just the versions that Antony and Cassius see. They also question the nature and responsibility f power, which runs throughout the play, making it more effective by heightening the connection of the reader/audience to the drama as it unfolds......