Who does not want Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral?

• A. Cassius
• B. Brutus
• C. Caesar
• D. Portia

Answer: (A)

Understanding how fear of persuasive power can shape decisions after a murder. In Julius Caesar, after Caesar is killed, Brutus wants to present their action as virtuous and invites Antony to speak at the funeral to show transparency and calm the crowd. Cassius, however, does not want Antony to speak because Antony is a skilled orator who could sway the public with his rhetoric. His words could turn the crowd against the conspirators, painting Caesar as noble and casting doubt on the justification for the assassination. Cassius worries that Antony’s speech will undermine their plans by inflaming passions or causing the people to turn on them. Portia isn’t a deciding factor in this moment, and Caesar is dead, so his own views aren’t in play. Brutus ultimately allows Antony to speak, but Cassius’ concern is the driving reason for wanting to keep Antony from addressing the crowd.