Making Funeral Speeches More Dramatic in Julius Caesar :: William Shakespeare Julius Caesar Essays

Making Funeral Speeches More Dramatic in Julius Caesar As every schoolboy knows, Shakespeare’s play of Julius Caesar isn’t a play based on reality but is a play about ‘Was Brutus right to kill his beloved Caesar?’ Therefore, the funeral speeches were written to allow Brutus a chance to prove that he was right to kill Julius Caesar whereas it also gives Antony the opportunity to convince the Plebeians how it was wrong to assassinate Julius Caesar. For these speeches to become livelier and not dull, this scene will be changed into a thrilling play for the spectators to watch and enjoy! Firstly, the Roman-set play has the stage picture of fruits and used objects scattered all over the floors of the closed down markets to mourn Julius Caesar’s death (in other words an excuse for a holiday)! There is an elevated rectangular area in the middle of the stage and there also is a door to the elevated area. The Patricians (Antony and Brutus) have to open this door and go up a small flight of stairs to reach the top of this raised section. Here everyone all around them will see them. A red striped toga clothes these Patricians whereas the civil servants are wearing green striped togas. Dirty rags to show the audience what they earned from their worthless jobs are clothing the Plebeians. A balcony is used for speculation of the play. This is where a few Plebeians mix with the audience along with a few civil servants blending into the crowd of watchers. All of the Plebeians and the civil servants have a major role to play in the external part of the play, which shall be explained later. The stage is covered in debris and Plebeians are also scattered between and outside all four corners of the stage. Secondly, the properties, which are probably the most important aspects of this attractive scene, include a large proportion of Antony’s properties. However, Brutus doesn’t have any properties. In addition to these, there are also visuals and music. Antony’s assets are inclusive of: - 1) The Will- of Julius Caesar 2) The Corpse of Julius Caesar- that is put on the front of the raised rectangular area to create trepidation in the weak hearts of the gullible Plebeians. So as to cause more perturbation in the Plebeians hearts, the bayonet that Julius Caesar was killed by is laid by the corpse pointing vertically downwards. As for the music, an hautboy (oboe) is heard playing swiftly in the background- but not disrupting the funeral speeches. Ultimately, there is a spotlight shining up from beneath the orator’s feet and its