News editorial by Kara Stiver

This past week three men have been trying to steal the heart of Rome. I'm not talking about some lame dating  show I'm talking about the Roman Republic. Caesar is dead and three men want to be his successor. We've eaten all their bribes and listened to all their speeches and slogans and now it's safe to say some cases were stronger than others. 

As I listened and analyzed every presentation I struggled to choose between two candidates. But the one who eventually came out on top was Mark Antony. His team had the whole package; good treats, pop culture references, solid puns, but most importantly solid evidence and explanation. I'm not going to lie, I came into this election with a really bad opinion of Antony. It might've been the truffles or the Justin Timberlake reference but he eventually won me over. His campaign team did a great job. The media relations speech really put Antony's character into perspective for me. I used to believe that Antony was a snake who would do anything to save his own skin. But in reality all he wanted was to avenge his friend's death. In act 3 scene 1 Antony is trying to convince Brutus and Cassius to allow him to speak at Caesar's funeral. He wanted to talk to all of the roman people and on more than one occasion we can almost feel the sarcasm seething from Antony as he calls Brutus an "honorable man". I also have to say that the song chosen to represent Antony was very fitting. Antony doesn't even let a life threatening manic affect his loyalty to Caesar. 

A close second in the election was Brutus. I truly believe he has Rome's best interest in mind. He spends a lot of time in the play thinking about his decision and if it's really right to go through with. The thing that faltered in his character was how easy it is to convince him. He doesn't stand firm in his opinions and let's people decide for him. However, his presentation was both amusing and fulfilling. The treats were nice and the slogan was catchy. The best part of the whole thing was the really in depth analysis of Brutus' song Glory and Gore. It just wasn't enough. 

And the last candidate, whom I hate to admit had no chance of winning me over, is Cassius. Looking at the candidate himself, all I see is a power hungry manipulator. I can't deny that Cassius is clever and has a way with words but it in no way compares to the skills and smarts of Antony. I hate to say it, but Cassius' case didn't wow me. Their public relations in no way compared to Antony's truffles or Brutus' cheesecake brownie. One thing that really confused me was that they gave all the public money. That could give us the wrong idea seeming that we would expect money. It's misleading and kind of far fetched. Their song was hard to follow and their along wasn't catchy. But most of all I think the fact that media relations spent so much time admitting to Cassius' faults I can't even remember to positive things they said. 

This whole week has been fun to really analyze the character of each individual man. I've come to new conclusions about each one and I'm proud of the decision I've made. If this was a dating show I'd give my last rose to Antony but it's not so I'm MARKing my vote for ANTONY. 

-Kara Stiver 

News Editorial

      All this week candidates have tired to prove that they were the best person to take Caesar's place. They all had great points but some were better than others. The three candidates were Cassius, Brutus, and Antony. 

      Cassius may have not given out as much food but they did give out more information about their person. They had more things to say to prove that Cassius was the best person to take the place of Caesar. When they had to do the song and slogan they did a good job at it but their slogan didn't really stick with me as much as the others. 

 

     Antony had great points on the first day. One thing that they said that stuck with me was how they brought up the fact that he did shake their hand but only for the fact that he didn't want to be also killed and after they just left and he was the one left with Caesars body. For their song and slogan I thought they did a good job. They for sure gave out the most things. 

       Brutus had great points. The best day for Brutus I would have to say the day that they did the song and slogan because they really did a great job with that. They had great points with there song. They really made the points of him connect with the lyrics of the song. 

      All of the candidates did a good job but one did better than the others and to me the one that did the best was Brutus. They had some great points.  I mean they gave out nice things but that's not all, they also gave out great informative and showed that he truly is a good person and didn't just kill Caesar for just any reason. 

 

- Calahan Onan 

News Editorial

       Throughout this week three candidates were running to replace Caesar after his tragic death. Fallowing this atrocity Rome was in need of a new ruler and three candidates stepped up  to fill in for Caesar. These three candidates were Cassius, Brutus, and Antony. These three candidates demonstrated to the people why they should be chosen to be the new ruler of Rome.

       For the first day I was unfortunately not present to watch and observe their presentation. This was unfortunate because I missed a lot of what the three candidates had to say. But the next day I was feeling better and even though I missed the day before the only person that came to me and gave me anything was Antony. To me this shows that Antony really cares about the people because Antony was generous enough to give me food and treats the day after because I was absent the day they gave away food and treats. This helps to prove their idea that they were talking about that Antony is a people person and that he cares about the people and their well being. So to me what Antony did really convinced me that they really do care about the people.

      During the second day the PR people for Antony and Brutus gave away more food and even though Cassius didn't give out food they related their presentation to the text which I believe neither Brutus or Antony did and if they did it was not that noticeable. So to me Cassius took day number two because even though they didn't hand out food and treats they related their presentation to the text.

     During the third day each candidate presented a song and a slogan. To start of Brutus presented a song by Lorde and gave really nice explanation and use of text on how the song related to their campaign. They did a really good job especially with their slogan. Which was what I think caugh the people's attention the most(Don't be a brute vote for Brutus). Next was Antony and for their song they decided to go with Ain't No Mountain High they also did a really nice job in explaining the correlation between their lyrics and their campaign but their slogan wasn't as good or memorable as Brutus' slogan. Finally was Cassius and for their song they chose on by Eminem like Brutus they did an amazing job at explaining but again their slogan wasn't as good as Brutus' slogan. So to me I think Brutus took the third day.

     All three candidates presented their side nicely but to me one group did it a little bit better than the rest. To me I think that Antony stood amongst the three groups because they remembered me when none of the other two groups did they were also the group that gave away the most stuff which is always a good thing and they proved to me that they actually care about the people and their well being.


-Kevin Barrera

News Editorial

     Over the past days we have listened to politicians competing to replace Caesar. Cassius is the one that seems to have stuck with my fellow citizens and myself.

      Cassius's group has used a pelican and the color yellow and other colors to represent him and his characteristics, according to himself and not necessarily the people. It was said that Cassius could perceive the bad in men. This statement is probably not true and is used by Cassius, himself, and his followers, to glorify himself.

     Cassius's group also admits Cassius has faults. Along with admitting his faults, they admitted that Cassius manipulated Brutus because he perceived Brutus as weak. And even after admitting this, the group said Cassius still considered Brutus a friend. Does Cassius manipulate friends? Are we his friends? If we are, will we be manipulated? The group also says "Cassius won't lie" and "only wants the best for Rome". The best of Rome is from his perspective, meaning what he thinks is the best could be the worst for the people. The group also states Cassius "will raise Rome" and if he really wants to raise Rome would he manipulate the public, the people, the citizens in order to get where he wants to be?

     Brutus is the other candidate competing against Cassius for the leadership of Rome. Brutus's group claims his ancestors built Rome and "therefore is a true Roman and will always care about Rome and her people". The group then  also says that Brutus participated in the assassination of Caesar for the well being of the people because he believed Caesar was too ambitious. His group also says Brutus was able to convince Cassius of not killing Antony, making it clear that Cassius can be perceived as bloodthirsty.

     The other candidate is Antony. His group specifies his loyalty to Caesar. The group continually reiterated "Antony is not easily manipulated as Brutus". They also state how nobody controls him unlike Brutus who was being controled by Cassius. There is also the fact that Antony did not kill Caesar. They also emphasized how Antony is very social and therefore would act in the interest of the people since he has the most contact with them

     Cassius, unlike the others, has not tried to bribe us, the people, which could be interpreted in many ways and should be considered when voting. Cassius has stuck with the public and has a good possibility of winning but we the people of Rome decide who wins.


                                                                                               -Nestor Padilla

Antony Political Cartoon - Luis

     Antony's two-face personality is the target of criticism for this cartoon. Antony can be seen as un loyal or "two-faced" because of the dishonesty in his feelings. He was always Caesar's loyal follower, but after his death, he tells Caesar's butchers that he is now loyal to them.

     In the cartoon, Antony is seen shaking Caesar's hand and telling him that he loves him. Antony shows his love and self-submission to Caesar in act 1, scene 2, lines 12-13, when he says, " I shall remember. When Caesar says "do this," it is performed." The first picture is self  explanatory and needs little description. 

     The same concept of simplicity applies to the second depiction. Antony states in the cartoon, " JK...," which stands for just kidding. He is taking back what he told Caesar, he is changing his feelings. This is due to the fact that Antony fears for his life with Brutus in front of him. Therefore he cowardly submits to Brutus in act 3, scene 1, lines 148-150, when he sends his servant to say, " Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead so well as Brutus living, but will follow the fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus." 

     The fear that Antony feels is not caused by Brutus physically threatening him with a sword, but mentally threatening him with his words. The scene of Brutus' and Antony's conversation is all about psychological warfare. Brutus mentally gets his threat across to Antony in act 3, scene 1, lines 156-157, when he tell Antony's servant, " ...he shall be satisfied and, by all my honor, depart untouched." Brutus puts out there the idea that if things are not done the way he wants, Antony will be harmed. What causes criticism is Antony's cowardly way of not being able to stand up for the people he loves right there and then and instead looks out just for himself. A leader needs to be brave and put his people before him, and Antony does not pocess this important leadership characteristic. 

Brutus Political Cartoon - Luis

 

     This cartoon is meant to criticize Brutus and his characteristic of being easily manipulated. He is at separate points manipulated by both Antony and Cassius. The depiction representa Antony's manipulation of Brutus after Caesar's death. 

     The picture might be a little misleading since it is in a way emphasizing on Antony and his superiority. Antony is seen standing on top of Rome which is depicted by a structure containing roman style architecture. He is also seen holding meat in his hand with which he is distracting the lion (Brutus).

     Antony giving the lion meat is a metaphor for Antony telling Brutus what he wants to hear. In act 3, scene 1, line 200, Antony tells Brutus, " I doubt not of your wisdom." This comes after Antony finds out Brutus has killed Caesar, so he falsely tells him he believes his action were whats best for Rome. However, this cartoon is not meant to criticize Antony, it is directed towards Brutus. 

     Brutus is not smart enough to see that Antony's feelings/loyalty to Brutus are not genuine. Antony's true feelings are revealed in act 3, scene 1, lines 280-281, when Antony tells the already dead Caesar, " O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am meek and gentle with these butchers."

He also goes on to curse the men who killed Caesar , and all of Italy as well. 

     It was obvious that Antony was not going to truly change his views instantaneously. He spent his whole life loving and following Caesar. Cassius actually is able to recognize this fact in Antony's response, but Brutus is not. Therefore, Brutus can be depicted as an over aggressive person (lion), that is easily manipulated by people. 

Cassius Political Cartoon by Esteban Leguizamo

My artwork is based off Cassius and how he manipulates others into thinking that it is there thoughts.  Cassius is drowning Brutus in tub of evil plans that just so happens to be titled Plots against Caesar. As the play progresses he shows that he is more than capable to get others to do his dirty deeds, “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept.” (Act II, sc. i, 64-65). Brutus isn’t wrong, Cassius did warn him in a way, but instead he let himself be engulfed. The reason Cassius is drowning Brutus is because it represents the fact that he is forcing ideas onto Brutus’ thoughts.  Before then in act one, scene two, it appears as Cassius is constantly pressing against Brutus on the idea  that he hates Caesar and that he is also fearful of him.  This piece of evidence is why i chose to make the person drawing in a state calm and peace, particularly because he doesn't realize that he is being drowned by Cassius.  

Referring back to my first evidence, i used the use of “whet” as a play on words. I chose that because I thought it would be funny and the fact that is compliments the motives that Cassius has in the play.  The color scheming though isn't very much coordinated to the drawing at all, except for the tub that Cassius appears to be drowning Brutus in, it is purposely clear.  The clearness of the water is to represent the fact that all this is done to make it seem transparent in Brutus’ mind that Cassius is actually the one plotting, along with fooling everyone else.  To emphasize the clearness of the water I colored a dark background to pop the water out more to the audience.

With all that in mind, Cassius is the focus of my political art and he is one that is not qualified to be a leader.