Logic vs. Emotion in Shakespeare

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". The paper analyzes the speeches given by Antony and Brutus. The paper contends that while Brutus does not comprehend the power of human emotion and is completely possessed by reason, Antony has a very good understanding of emotion and ironically, he uses logic to harness and manipulate it.

From the Paper:

"Who says that sensitive, emotionally perceptive men don't succeed in the political arena? In William Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar, Brutus and his fellow conspirators murder Julius Caesar and an oration then follows at which Brutus and Antony speak. After the speeches, sides are drawn and a civil war follows in which the second triumvirate (Antony, Octavius, and Oepidus) prevails. Shakespeare writes this play to illuminate the assassination of Julius Caesar and the resulting history that follows. The play demonstrates that when dealing with fickle human beings, emotion will more often overrule logic in matters of moral justice. Brutus does not comprehend emotion in the least and relies solely on logic, which inevitably leads to his downfall. Antony however, understands and is able to utilize emotion, this makes him the more effective orator which results in his success."

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