Julius Caesar Traits

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Why do many people have different character traits? Well, having different character traits create positive or negative personalities. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare displays many characters with abundant qualities. One character name Mark Antony is characterized with comparable unique traits. Although Mark Anthony shows his positive traits through his loyalty to Caesar, he displays his negative traits by persuading the citizens to be against the conspirators and by being selfish in order to have full domination of Rome Mark Antony shows his loyalty to Caesar by showing his affections when he died. One way he shows his loyalty to Caesar was that he was wanting to give up his life for him. “I …show more content…
In by doing so, He provokes a speech of Caesar to the citizens to change their point of view of Caesar, “Did Caesar seem ambitious?...Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; and Brutus is an honorable man... I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambitious? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And sure he is an honorable man.” (III.ii.92-101) Mark Antony persuaded the citizens to make them think that Caesar was not only ambitious but loved his people in Rome. By doing this, Mark Antony will make the citizens against the conspirators, which will make Mark Antony have as much of an advantage to ruling rome than Brutus. Another case of Mark Antony’s persuasion was that he manipulates the crowd by making e citizens force him to read the will that Caesar wrote. “But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar.’tis his will...Which I do not mean to read,...Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as rich legacy Unto their issue.”, (III.ii.130-139). The fact that Mark Antony brought up the will from Caesar and is not willing to read it out loud proves that he is hoping that the citizens will force him to read Caesar’s will. Mark Antony compels the citizens by making them insist that he should read it outloud which he does so. Since Mark Antony’s speech showed emotion convinces the …show more content…
One of the ways Mark Antony shows selfishness is by claiming how Lepidus, one of the three rulers, is unworthy as a triumvirate, “So is my horse, Octavius, and for that I do appoint him store of provender. It is a creature that I teach to fight, … He must be taught, and trained, ... one that feeds on objects, arts, and imitation which, out of use and staled y other me, ... Do not talk of him, But as a property.” (IV.i.29-40). The fact that Mark Antony does not believe that Lepidus can be a strong ruler shows how Mark Antony thinks of other people. Mark Antony does not care of Lepidus and only for himself. He also shows his selfishness by causing a war with the conspirators. “Brutus and Cassius are levying power. We must straight make head. Therefore let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, and our best means stretched out; And let us presently go sit in council how convert matters may be best disclosed and open perils surest answered.” (IV.i.41-47). Mark Antony causing a war with the conspirators will prevent Brutus and Cassius from dominating Rome. Mark Antony is not willing to have Brutus and Cassius as one of the other