How Does Antony Show Loyalty In Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar Essay
By: Nichelle Benny Gerard

In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the virtue of honor can be interpreted in many ways. The protagonist of the play, Marcus Brutus supports this thought shown through his idealistic view of the world and by showing his patriotism towards Rome. Mark Antony perfectly fits the description of an honorable man as he remains loyal to Caesar and avenges the death of his friend. Cassius, on the other hand, is seen as a character who lacks integrity and honor for his actions are accomplished through his personal beliefs and out of jealousy, ignoring the general good. Marcus Brutus, Mark Antony, and Cassius are significant characters that are portrayed in this play to show how their different
Prior to Caesar’s assassination, Antony makes a brief appearance and makes short statements indicating that he is loyal to Caesar as a dictator and as a friend. Caesar confiding with Antony indicates the loving and trustworthy relationship between Antony and Caesar as they see each other as the best of friends. From the beginning to the end, Antony never betrays this trust and places value on the relationship between them. This includes the honorable duty of revenge against those who have slain his master and his loyalty to the Roman Empire and its authority. Even after the death of Caesar, Antony remains true to his relationship with Caesar, as he believes that Caesar should not have been murdered and plans to avenge his death or seek justice for a friend. He is known to keep his promises as he makes a deal with the conspirators in order to set up his plan to do what is right, which was to avenge his friend’s death. At Caesar’s funeral, Antony proves to be honorable from what he said in his speech. He obeyed Brutus’ rule to not talk bad of the conspirator’s actions yet at the same time remains loyal to Caesar. “He was my friend, faithful and just to me; But Brutus says he was ambitious; and Brutus is an honorable man.” (III.ii.87-89) At the end of the play, Antony avenges Caesar’s death by overpowering Brutus and takes over Rome for the greater good in
Cassius can be viewed as a man of many faces, in other words, duplicitous. Through Cassius’ actions and thoughts, as well as through the thoughts of others, he is seen as manipulative, seductive, deceptive, and a coward. These traits shown throughout the whole play display Cassius as a man who is dishonorable and as someone who lacks modesty. Caesar himself describes Cassius as “lean and hungry, a man who thinks too much and is dangerous.” (I.ii.193-195) An honorable Roman sees himself and everything in this world as meant to be and beautiful, but Cassius does not see it that way and always longs for more power. Cassius is jealous and greedy over Caesar’s rise and status. “I had as lief not to be as live to be in awe of such a thing as myself.” (I.ii.194-195) which means that he would rather die than worship someone who is equal to him. He persuades Brutus into thinking that Caesar is not right to be king, which shows that he is betraying the trust between him and Brutus by tricking Brutus into joining the conspiracy. Cassius deceives Brutus by playing to Brutus’ own sense of honor and virtues. This is shown through the letters that Cassius throws into Brutus’ window claiming that it was written from the citizens of Rome. Cassius rambles on to Brutus of how much stronger and greater he is than Caesar, which also demonstrates that he is envious over Caesar. He gives examples