Mark Antony's Motivators

Mark Antony’s Motivation

“No place will please me so, No mean of death, As here by Caesars’ side.”
Mark Antony, pg. 116. Mark Antony had numerous motives for rebelling against the conspirators, allying with Octavius Caesar, and breaking out civil war in the heart of noble Rome. But what really inspired him was his great friendship with Caesar. Many of Caesars’ allies turned on him, but Antony remained true to Caesar, staying by his side. Which is why Antony’s two motivating factors are revenge and loyalty. His revenge to the conspirators, and his loyalty to Caesar (even after he died).

One motive that drove Antony to his’ extremes was his revenge. He could not take it after noble Brutus and his conspirators thrust the dagger into Caesar’s back. Caesar had been his great friend, and now is dead, because Brutus says he was ambitious. Antony was so motivated by his death that he was furious against the conspirators. This quotation shows that he would cause a huge war just to get revenge.” Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion, groaning for burial.” Mark Antony pg. 124. This shows Antony’s motivation by explaining how far he would go to get revenge, even explaining about a huge, yet hellish civil war that will break out. But Antony would get his revenge by convincing a gullible crowd with his sly silver tongue. “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man.” Mark Antony pg. 134. He is using these subtle hints to explain that the conspirators were not noble, and in fact they had just killed a great man because of what they thought he would’ve done. Antony is trying to rile up the crowd against Cassius and Brutus. In the end he is successful in driving out the conspirators, and convincing people to go to war against them.

But there was another motive that had pushed him so far, even to his revenge. This motive was his loyalty to Caesar. This character is motivated this way because of his friendship to Caesar. Caesar relies on Antony, and because of this Antony acts like a faithful servant to him. A quotation to prove this statement would be, “I shall remember: When Caesar says, ‘do this,’ it is perform’d.”. Mark Antony Pg. 26. This shows Antony’s loyalty by showing the audience that he would perform any task for Caesar. Which means that Caesar also trusts Antony. Through their friendship Antony also viewed Caesar as a great, honorable, and noble man. In this next quotation Antony is mourning Caesar’s death. “Thou are the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times.” Mark Antony Pg. 124. His loyalty to Caesar is what made him want to get their revenge on the conspirators. Antony showed his true loyalty by using his speech to steer the crowd against the conspirators. Mark Antony is a true friend to Caesar and is loyal to him even after his death.

Antony’s main conflict is to slay the conspirators and make them pay for the foul deed they have performed. What motivates him to do this is his revenge against the conspirators for assassinating Caesar, and his true loyalty that lies with him. These motivations also influenced his behavior. For example his revenge made him start a war against the conspirators because of his fury. And his loyalty made him follow Caesar and stay true to him till’ after death. In the end Antony achieved his goal by not only causing a civil war, but conquered every last one of the conspirators. He managed to do this by turning virtually all of Rome against them with his speech. His goal was certainly noble that he would mourn Caesar, But to slay all the conspirators for one man? His revenge got out of hand, but this only shows his loyalty to Caesar.