Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; - Mark Antony starts his speech by addressing the crowd as "Friends, Romans, countrymen" and asking them to listen to him.
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. - He then says that he is not there to praise Caesar, but to bury him.
The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. - Antony says that people often remember the bad things that someone has done even after they die, but they forget the good things. He suggests that this should also be the case with Caesar.
The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it. - Antony acknowledges that Brutus has told the crowd that Caesar was ambitious, but he suggests that if it were true, then Caesar has already paid the price for it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest-- For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men-- Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. - Antony acknowledges Brutus and the other conspirators' authority over the situation, but he also subtly implies that they are not as honorable as they claim to be.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. - Antony claims that Caesar was his friend, and he implies that Brutus is not being truthful about Caesar's ambition.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? - Antony asks the crowd whether bringing captives to Rome and filling the coffers with their ransoms seems like the actions of an ambitious man.
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 honourable man. - Antony suggests that Caesar had a compassionate nature, and he questions whether ambition is really the motivation behind his actions.
You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? - Antony reminds the crowd that Caesar refused the crown three times, and he asks whether this is the action of an ambitious man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. - Antony denies that he is trying to argue with Brutus, but he says that he will speak the truth.
You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? - Antony reminds the crowd that they loved Caesar and asks why they are not mourning his death.
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. - Antony laments that people have lost their ability to think rationally, and he takes a moment to collect himself emotionally.
But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there. And none so poor to do him reverence. - Antony suggests that Caesar was once a powerful man, but now he is dead and no one is even showing him respect.
O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. - Antony says that he is not there to incite the crowd to violence or rebellion against Brutus and Cassius, who he acknowledges as honorable men. Instead, he is willing to speak ill of the dead, and even wrong himself and the audience, rather than do any harm to such honorable men.
But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, 'tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament-- Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read-- And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue. - Antony then reveals a document that he found in Caesar's closet, which he claims is Caesar's will. He suggests that if the crowd were to hear the will, they would be moved to tears and would even go so far as to dip their handkerchiefs in Caesar's blood as a sign of devotion.
If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on; 'Twas on a summer’s evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii: Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made: Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; And as he pluck’d his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel: Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! - Antony uses vivid imagery to evoke emotions in the crowd, describing the garment that Caesar wore when he was killed and pointing out the holes and tears made by his assassins. He highlights how Brutus, who the crowd believes was Caesar's friend, was involved in the murder and even suggests that Caesar loved him dearly.
This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey’s statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. - Antony describes how Caesar reacted when he saw that Brutus was involved in his murder. He suggests that Caesar was overcome by the feeling of ingratitude, and his heart gave out, causing him to die while muffling his face in his mantle at the base of a statue of Pompey, which was still covered in Caesar's blood.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish’d over us. O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors. - Antony then addresses the crowd as "my countrymen" and laments the downfall of Rome caused by the treacherous actions of the conspirators. He notices that the crowd is moved to tears, and he suggests that their tears are a sign of their empathy and compassion. He shows them the garment again and points out the wounds made by the traitors. He tells them that this is the real Caesar, marred by the actions of those who claimed to love him.
Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it: they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. - Antony then takes a different approach, calming the crowd and asking them not to become violent. He reminds them that the conspirators are honorable men and that they may have had their reasons for their actions, which he does not know. He suggests that they will explain their reasons if given the opportunity.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him: For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood: I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue In every wound of Caesar that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny. - Antony then humbly declares that he is not a skilled orator like Brutus, but he is a man who loves his friend and has been given permission to speak publicly about him. He claims that he lacks the power to move people with his words but will only speak the truth. He shows the crowd Caesar's wounds and suggests that they speak for themselves. He suggests that if he were Brutus and had Antony's speaking ability, he could incite the crowd to violence and rebellion.