honorable men

two reasons why this speech is noteworthy.

first, it is a textbook definition of irony, one of the most misused words in the english language. marc anthony's "praise" of brutus is clearly anything but.

the second is because it is easy to forget that shakespeare is meant to be performed out loud, by actual living artists. the speech's true intent and meaning is savored best when spoken by professional actors whose talents and passion bring the words to life, not read quietly in classrooms in the echoless locked box of our minds.