Why did Brutus let Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral? In William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar,” Brutus allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral for several reasons:
Honor and Nobility:
Brutus sees himself as an honorable man who respects Roman customs and traditions. He believes that denying Antony the opportunity to speak would be dishonorable and would reflect poorly on the conspirators’ motives, which he insists were driven by the noble cause of saving Rome from tyranny.
Misjudgment of Antony:
Brutus underestimates Antony’s rhetorical skills and his loyalty to Caesar. He believes that Antony is harmless and will not pose a threat to the conspirators’ cause. Brutus even imposes conditions on Antony’s speech, hoping to control the narrative.
Belief in Rational Appeal:
Brutus trusts that the Roman populace will be swayed by rational arguments rather than emotional ones. He plans to speak first to explain the reasons behind the assassination, expecting that his logical and patriotic arguments will convince the crowd, making Antony’s speech a mere formality.
Desire for Reconciliation:
Brutus aims to show clemency and reconciliation by allowing Antony to speak, hoping to portray the conspirators as just and merciful. He wants to demonstrate that the assassination was not a personal vendetta but a necessary act for the greater good of Rome.
However, this decision proves to be a grave mistake. Antony’s speech, with its masterful use of rhetoric and emotional appeal, turns the Roman populace against the conspirators and incites a riot, ultimately leading to the downfall of Brutus and the other conspirators.
