Barb Simon
Lang
English
28 May 2014
Mark Antony: Character in Julius Caesar: What's on his iPod?
1. Fire and Rain - James Taylor
A line in the song “Fire and Rain,” by James Taylor, says, “I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.” This line/song illustrates Mark Antony’s mourning after Caesar’s death and how he wishes he would die as well. Antony says, “Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die; No place will please me so, no mean of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age” (105).
2. Liar - Rollins Band
Lines in the song “Liar,” by Rollins Band, say, “...you never bother to wonder why things are going so well. You want to know why? ‘Cause I’m a liar, yeah I’m a liar!” After Caesar’s death, Antony pretends to side with the conspirators, while in reality, he is plotting his revenge. Antony says to the conspirators, “I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand. First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you” (107).
3. I’m Sensitive - Jewel
While Antony is alone with Caesar’s body, he shows his true sensitivity. Lines in the song “I’m Sensitive,” by Jewel, say, “So please be careful with me, I’m sensitive, and I’d like to stay that way.” As Antony weeps over Caesar’s body, he tells him, “Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever livèd in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!” (113).
4. Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James & The Shondells
The line in this song, by Tommy James & The Shondells, that says, “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” demonstrates Antony’s persuasiveness. During his speech to Rome after Caesar’s death in which he persuades Rome to join his side, Antony proclaims, “You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And sure he is an honorable man” (123).
5. Honesty - Billy Joel
Despite being two faced before, Antony can also be surprisingly open and honest. Lines is the song “Honesty,” by Billy Joel, say, “Honesty is such a lonely word. Everyone is so untrue. Honesty is hardly ever heard.” Antony shows his open and honest qualities during his funeral speech when he states, “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him...I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love hime once, not without a cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?” (123).
6. Remember the Name - Fort Minor
The chorus in the song “Remember the Name,” by Fort Minor, says, “This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, fifteen percent concentrated power of will, five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain, and a hundred percent reason to remember the name!” This illustrates Antony’s motivation to avenge Caesar’s death. Over Caesar’s body, Antony declares, “A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; Blood and destruction shall be so in use...infants quartered with the hands of war...And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge...” (113).
7. Only the Strong Survive - REO Speedwagon
Lines in the song “Only the Strong Survive,” by REO Speedwagon, say “I heard it was hard, I heard it was long, but we’ll come back alive, ‘cause only the strong survive.” Antony proves to be strong in
