Political Speeches of of the Greatest Roman Writers and Politician Paper Example

Introduction

Marcus Cicero was inarguably one of the greatest Roman writers, politician, influencer and activists. In his years of career, he managed to achieve the unthinkable in his career more specifically as a writer and as a politician. One of his major works, Political Speeches contained nine famous speeches at the helm of the Roman government oppression, corruption, inequalities, and reckless power struggles. His firm stands fearless critics and fights for liberty later cost him his dear life. Though he died long ago, his works still portray him as a significant influencer for decades on prose writing and political thinking. This paper, therefore, intends to discuss one of the unacceptable behaviors he wrote about, analyze the scene of Antony's affair with Curio as well as relating to the kind of friendship that Antony and Catullus portrayed.

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Unacceptable behavior

Antonius, a member of the Senate, fights him in the Senate. Even though Antonius and the likes are enemies of the state, they still go on and attack him. They tear him apart, leaving no reputation left despite him being one of the leading patriots. They tarnish his name with much negativity, trying to turn the public wrath against him. He describes his enemies as those who attacked the state, and so they earned his opposition. Cicero describes this as totally unacceptable since the majority of the public is misled to brand him as a public enemy, unlike his enemies whom better deserves the title. He reports to Antonius that "you on the other hand, though I had never said so much a word against you, attacked me with unprovoked abuse,.... and calculated that your alienation would work for you in the eyes of disloyal citizens" (1).

The above behavior is so unacceptable because it misleads the public against the patriot citizens. The real fighters for the rights of citizens are forgotten following the public blackmail by their enemies. The enemy feigns patriotism at the expense of real patriots by riding over their achievements and tarnishing their names. Besides that, the legacy and reputation of real patriots are washed away by the selfish public manipulation staged by the enemies (2). They use everything within their reach to wreck Cicero.

Cicero's firm position against the injustices exposes him to critics. His once close friend intolerably expects that he would support him in good and evil. To his surprise, Cicero goes on to stand against him in the law court case. Antonius sees this as a betrayal to friendship. Cicero himself does not see anything wrong with making his stand against a close friend. He insists that he would always do the same to an enemy so long as justice is involved (4).

The scene of Antony's affair with Curio

Antony had a romantic affair with Curio. He had a miserable, desperate life full of helplessness and hopelessness. Following that nasty condition, Antony started practicing male prostitution, something that did until he Curio came to his rescue (44). Curio took Antony home where he met considerable opposition from his father. In several occasions, he had to plead with Cicero to plead with his father to continue accommodating Antony. Together they had a sham marriage at the Curio's home. Antony was on several occasions locked out by security guards following the Curio's father order. It was an unpleasant situation for the honored family.

Cicero uses this scene to mock Antony of his little and wicked past as compared to his present. He also uses this speech to remind every one of his uncelebrated role of helping Antony at the hands of Curio's father, something that played a huge role in putting him where he is today (45). He must have forgotten where he came from owing to his current status and profile as a respected leader. Cicero's mention of these helps the audience to make to terms with Antony's real past. It is indeed fascinating to discover ones very humble and unfortunate background past at the time he purports to be sailing high in righteousness and leadership.

Antony and Catullus

I do not think Antony and Quintus Catulus would be friends today. Even though they all served in the Senate during their time of service and administration, they had different beliefs and practices. To begin with, while Antony did not approve to Cicero's consulship, Catulus approved to it. This difference portrays them as people of different beliefs and aspirations. Besides that, Antony's life and career are dominated with injustices that are evident by court cases as of which Cicero had to sit against him.

On the other hand, Quintus Catulus died an upright patriot and very moral life. Cicero is quoted describing him "a man whose authority would always remain a force in the country" (12). Based on individual characters of Antony and Catalus therefore, it is not possible to see them become friends suppose Catulus was still alive.

Work cited

Cicero, Marcus Tullius. Selected political speeches. Penguin UK, 1969.