Question

"Read the excerpt below from act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.

ANTONY:
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar. . . .
'Tis his will.
Let but the commons hear this testament—
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read . . . .
All the Plebeians:
The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.
ANTONY:
Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it.
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. . . .
It will inflame you; it will make you mad.
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs . . . .
How is Mark Antony's use of paralipsis effective in manipulating the audience in the above excerpt?
--Mark Antony uses paralipsis to distract the audience from the will and they forget about it.
---Mark Antony uses paralipsis by refusing to read the will to the Romans because it does not mention them as heirs.
---Mark Antony uses paralipsis to explain the assassination plot.
---Mark Antony uses paralipsis to draw attention to the will as he seems to ignore or avoid it."

Answer 1

Mark Antony uses paralipsis in his speech to draw attention to Caesar's will and manipulate the public's sentiment, ultimately swinging their favor by arousing curiosity and indignation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Act 3.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony employs paralipsis as a rhetorical strategy to manipulate the audience. Paralipsis is when a speaker emphasizes a point by pretending to pass over it. Antony's declaration of not reading Caesar's will piques the interest of the Plebeians, making them more intent on hearing it. He suggests that the contents of the will, which demonstrate Caesar's love and generosity towards the people, are too inflammatory to share. Antony's tactical omission raises the crowd's agitation and curiosity, which ultimately sways their opinions against the conspirators and in favor of Caesar, showing just how savvy Antony is at manipulating public sentiment.