Make-a-powerful-speech

AQUiLA MAGAZINE

ROMANS

When we think of powerful speeches , few come packed with more emotional punch than Mark Antony ’ s oration at Julius Caesar ’ s funeral . Caesar has been assassinated by his former friend , Brutus , and a gang of co-conspirators , under the direction of Cassius . Having been told he could make a speech at Caesar ’ s funeral on the condition he didn ’ t badmouth the men behind the assassination , Mark Antony takes the opportunity to say what needed to be said about his friend , and stir the people up to revolt against Cassius at the same time . Sneaky .

ACTIVITY SKILLS 1 hour +

DIFFICULTY

When William Shakespeare wrote this speech , he used verbal irony and rhetoric to allow Mark to imply things without directly and explicitly saying them , giving him total freedom to speak his mind and manipulate his audience . Take a look at the speech on page 2 and pay attention to the language used .

The speech opens with ‘ Friends , Romans , Countrymen ,’ – this is a fantastic example of Mark Antony using powerful rhetoric from the beginning – he immediately unites and warms up his audience , getting them on side . Next , note all the references to Brutus – Mark Antony says he ’ s ‘ honourable ’ and ‘ ambitious ’ several times – do you think he means it ? Or is it dripping with sarcasm ? These are great examples of verbal irony .

Wordworm wants you to produce your own version of this speech and discover what a great persuasive public speaker you are !

STEP 1 : Using the script on the following page , can you get the message across as Shakespeare intended ?

STEP 2 : What can you do with the tone of your voice , or your body language , to make your audience read between the lines ?

STEP 3 : Practise in front of the mirror and record the speech when you ’ re ready ! CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

YOU WILL NEED

o Recording device – will you make a video or a voice recording ?

USEFUL TO KNOW

In the context of Julius Caesar , these are Wordworm ’ s definitions :

Verbal irony = when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from / opposite to what they actually mean

Rhetoric = effective and persuasive language

PAGE 1 OF 2