Prompt: “So,” your friend asks, “what did I miss?”

Imagine you're a member of the audience present for speeches by main characters in Julius Caesar: that is, you’re one of the Roman citizens who listens to the funeral orations by Marc Antony and Brutus (Act 3, scene 2). Afterwards, you encounter a friend who wasn’t present, and asks you the question above. In roughly one page, explain what your friend missed. What did each speaker say? How did the audience react? Write from the perspective of an audience member as portrayed in the play, speaking to someone who shares your general outlook. 

My Dear Friend, 

To ask what happened is practically useless, for what is one to expect at this point from the ever-so-esteemed elites present within our republic? We work day and night and then are condemned by them, called animals by them…tell me of such men who would be honorable after this. We will look to dear Brutus who started the ceremonies off with a confession to his part in the assassination of Caesar, as we all already knew. I pity the man, he is so loyal to the republic that he entirely disregards his welfare. However, it is, in all fairness to him, important to note his dedication to honor and respect the Republic. He claims to be no better than Caesar, making the bold statement that even he would drag a dagger into his person for the betterment and maintenance of the Republic. I will not deny that this statement is heartening yet I still am unsure. Why would a man, how could a man, kill his apparently, most precious friend solely for the Republic? Surely this cannot be. To take a man’s life must have a more appealing motive behind it, for if not then what is it to be? It is, I think, a failed political move for Brutus, as loyal and kind as he is, does not contain those evils within him that allow for a strong political game. 

To the untrained eye, one would see Antony as a caring and avenging soul, however, I have looked and scanned over this man and the only thing I can see is a well-trained clown. I may not place fault on my fellow people for they are truly ignorant to the facade that has been placed down upon us all. But in light of the damage caused by Brutus, maybe we are to follow suit with Antony for he is indeed cunning and manipulative, perfect to lead. Simultaneously, he compliments Buruts yet also condemns him. Antony turns cheers for Brutus into vows to hunt him down. This is true leadership. I leave you this friend. I hope that the massacre that is soon to come will not destroy us all yet hope seems to be scarce these days. 

Good Day.

Note: In my letter, I distinguish my character from his fellow peers, displaying him as an outlier from the rest of the crowd. I imagine my character to be an elderly man, one who holds a particular disdain for his fellow citizens, seeing them as naive in response to the political games being imposed upon them.