What would you have? Your gentleness shall force More than your force move us to gentleness

What would you have? Your gentleness shall force More than your force move us to gentleness

In the play "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, the character of Mark Antony speaks these words to the conspirators who have just assassinated Caesar. This line is a powerful reminder of the strength of gentleness and persuasion over brute force and aggression.

Mark Antony, a close friend of Caesar, is trying to negotiate with the conspirators to allow him to speak at Caesar's funeral. Despite the fact that he is outnumbered and facing a group of men who have just committed a violent act, Antony remains calm and composed. He understands that using force against them will only lead to more violence and conflict. Instead, he appeals to their sense of reason and humanity, asking them to consider the power of his words and the impact they could have on the people of Rome.

Antony's words are a testament to the idea that true strength lies in gentleness and persuasion. He believes that by appealing to the conspirators' sense of decency and compassion, he can convince them to see things from his perspective. He understands that using force and aggression will only serve to escalate the situation and lead to more bloodshed.

This line also speaks to the power of language and rhetoric in Shakespeare's plays. Throughout his works, Shakespeare explores the ways in which words can be used to manipulate and persuade others. Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral is a prime example of this, as he uses his words to turn the people of Rome against the conspirators and incite them to rebellion.