What does Antony ask of Caesar's conspirators in Act 3, Scene 1 of Julius Caesar?
Antony entered a while after the conspirators had completed their deed. Although they didn’t trust him, Brutus had made an agreement with the others not to kill him. On meeting the conspirators Antony was sure he was going to be killed because of his friendship with Caesar. He however is not afraid and asks the conspirators to kill him if they deem it fit. Brutus instead tries to explain their actions and even offers Antony friendship. After Antony figured that they were not going to kill him he asked that he is allowed to shake the hands of each of them. Antony asked if he would be allowed to take Caesar’s body to the market and speak as a friend about his funeral. However the conspirators did not allow him to talk first because of their fear; instead Brutus spoke first to at least get an opportunity to shape the message to the public. In this regard, Cassius was still doubtful about allowing Antony to speak.
Antony asks that they allow him to take the body to the marketplace and, further, that he be allowed to orate at the funeral.
Here are the lines Antony delivers to the Servant (who is to take the news to the conspirators):
Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced.
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile,
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse
Into the market-place. There shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
issue of these bloody men,
According to the which thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
(3.1.307-317)
What does Antony want from the conspirators in Julius Caesar?
Antony wants the conspirators to let him speak at Caesar’s funeral.
Mark Antony was a trusted member of Caesar’s army. He was apparently dangerous enough that the conspirators made sure that he wasn’t with Caesar at the capital during the assassination after Brutus insisted he be left alive.
When Antony sees conspirators above Caesar’s body, he does not attack them. In fact, he is immediately conciliatory.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die … (Act 3, Scene 1)
Antony tells them that if he is going to die, he would rather die next to Caesar. Brutus tells Antony that they are not going to kill him. Antony gets a little rowdier at this point, telling them Caesar was a great man and asking them to give reasons why he was dangerous. He then asks for something else.
ANTONY
That's all I seek:
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral. (Act 3, Scene 1)
Brutus agrees to both of these requests. Cassius, who already admonished Antony once during his diatribe, now tries to talk Brutus out of letting Antony speak. He knows that Brutus is idealistic and naïve. He is aware that Antony is cunning and has something up his sleeve. He worries that if he speaks to the people at Caesar's funeral, they don’t know “how much the people may be moved.”
Brutus doesn’t listen. He assumes that things will be fine because Antony will talk after he does. He earlier stated that Antony wasn’t dangerous without Caesar, and he overrules Cassius now. Antony has been subservient to him while he has the upper hand, and that is enough for him. It is the biggest mistake he could make, and the turning point for him. Brutus was on top when he killed Caesar, but he won’t be for long.
What request did Mark Antony make of Julius Caesar's conspirators?
In Act III, Scene 1, the conspirators kill Caesar in the Senate. Shortly after the killing, Mark Antony appears on the Senate floor. As far as we can tell, he is genuinely shocked at what the conspirators have done. He also has to worry about what the conspirators have in mind for him, since he is an ally of Caesar’s. In fact, before killing Caesar, the conspirators discussed what they should do about Antony. After talking, they decided that Antony would not be a threat to them with Caesar dead. Antony turns out to be much cleverer than the conspirators ever imagined. While he talks to the conspirators, he is thinking fast, trying to figure out how to turn the situation to his advantage. Once he ascertains that the conspirators are not going to hurt him he makes a request: "And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the marketplace, And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral." He is asking that he be allowed to take Caesar’s body to the funeral and speak to the crowd. Brutus grants the request, but Cassius pleads with him not to, knowing that Antony may still be a danger to them. Brutus, who makes a series of tactical errors, disagrees, saying: "By your pardon, I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar's death. What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission, And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong." Brutus feels that by speaking first, he will insure the safety of the conspirators against anything Antony might say. Unfortunately for the conspirators, they have no inkling of how persuasive Antony can be. His speech on the steps is a masterpiece of persuasive rhetoric, and it dooms themGet Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.