Which condition does Brutus emphasize regarding Antony's speech to the crowd?

• A. Antony should blame Brutus
• B. Antony should not blame the conspirators
• C. Antony should accuse Calpurnia
• D. Antony should avoid speaking

Answer: (B)

Public rhetoric and controlling how an audience perceives a political act are at play here. Brutus wants to frame the moment so that the crowd sees the assassination as measured and justified, not as a chaotic or accusatory act. To keep that impression, he tells Antony to speak in Caesar’s praise and not to blame the conspirators. By setting that boundary, Brutus hopes Antony’s words won’t undermine his own explanation for the action or turn the crowd against them before Antony has a chance to speak more tactfully.

So the best choice fits because it captures Brutus’s intention to keep the discourse civil and non-accusatory toward the conspirators, preserving the illusion of reason and honor surrounding the deed. Blaming Brutus would contradict this aim, mentioning Calpurnia misses the point of Antony’s speech, and avoiding speaking would waste the opportunity to influence the crowd.