Act 3

Antony knows he is in danger because of his close ties to Caesar. He tries to play it "cool" by shaking hands with the conspirators. He pretends to sorrowful accept Caesar's demise. It is not until Antony has been given permission to make the speech of his life at Caesar's funeral that he can let his real feelings out. When finally alone with Caesar's body, Antony utters one of the most famous anguished lines in the play,

O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.