William Wordsworth once said that “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love” (Health Communications, Inc. 213). In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Marc Antony exhibits the character counts pillars respect, responsibility, and also caring. Marc Antony shows his respect when everyone was against Caesar, but he still was tolerant of the difference. He displayed responsibility when after Caesar’s death, and Brutus’s speech, he told the people of Rome that Caesar was not ambitious, but true to Rome and then continued on to read Caesar’s will.
Lastly, Marc Antony displays caring when he grieves from Caesar’s death. Marc Antony displayed respect when everyone was against Caesar, but he was tolerant of the difference. “Friends am I with you all, and love you all, / Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons / Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous”(McDougal. 642). During the time when all of Rome was against Caesar, and chaos was everywhere in Rome, Marc Antony respected the citizens opinions, and was capable of dealing peacefully with his anger, the insults, and disagreements.
Even though Antony was being badgered for sticking by Caesar, he took to thought the feelings and opinions of the citizens at that time, and was able to discuss them calmly with the people while others might have turned against Caesar. Therefore, Antony was not only respectful towards the citizens, but also towards Caesar. Marc Antony displayed responsibility when after Caesar’s death, and Brutus’s speech, he told the people of Rome that Caesar was not ambitious, but true to Rome and then continued on to read Caesar’s will. “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; / Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. / Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honorable man. / You all did see that on the Lupercal / I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? “(McDougal. 647) After Brutus’s speech concluded the citizens were in a fury and did not want to listen to a word that Marc Antony was about to say. In spite of setbacks, Marc showed great responsibility by standing up for Caesar who was Rome’s leader.
He stood up for what was right by correcting Brutus’s words by telling Rome that Caesar was not ambitious at all, but was true to Rome and it’s people. During a time when everything could have gone wrong Marc Antony did the responsible act in telling Rome the truth and knowing that he would be held accountable for his choices. Marc Antony displayed caring when he grieved for Caesar’s death. “O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? / Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, / Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. / I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, / Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.
If I myself, there is no hour so fit / As Caesar’s death’s hour; nor no instrument / Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich / With the most noble blood of all this world”(McDougal. 640). Marc Antony was so upset that he was wanting to die, and was even willing to use the sword that killed Caesar. Marc Antony also showed the pillar of caring by forgiving the conspirators after they killed Caesar. “Friends am I with you all, and love you all”(McDougal. 642). Antony was of course still upset about the death, but in a way, he did slightly forgive the men for their wrongful actions.
By Antony’s compassion and kindness in a stressful situation he was able to show a positive scene of caring. In conclusion, I feel that in the play Julius Caesar, the character, Marc Antony showed the character counts pillar respect; by being tolerant of the difference in opinions between the townspeople, himself, and Caesar. The pillar responsibility; by telling the people of Rome the truth about Caesar’s ambition and reading the will. And lastly, the pillar caring by exhibiting his grief for the loss of Caesar, and still being capable of forgiving the conspirators.