Officia Oratoris in the Discourses of Brutus and Mark Antony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Abstract

Considering that classical models are meant to be the basis in which the following literary movements were developed, several researchers have tried to point out to what extent this influence can be seen in modern works, as it is, in this case, the play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. This dissertation presents an analysis of the classical nuances that can be seen in this play, with an emphasis on how Shakespeare follows the skills that, according to classical authors, a well-trained orator should master when writing Brutus' and Mark Antony's speeches. After providing an explanation of what officia oratoris are, and then talking about the influence of classical plays in Elizabethan drama and therefore in Shakespeare's works, both speeches will be analyzed officium by officium looking at their structures, comparing them, and also talking about how both orators use some devices to deliver an effective, understandable and persuasive speech that would give them the victory by convincing the audience that their ideas are the right ones.