The Role of the Crowd in Julius Caesar The most important characters in the work Julius Caesar are clearly the citizens of Rome. The townspeople have an important effect on both the audience and the characters in the play because of their unlimited desire to passionately express their emotions. Over the course of the show these emotions are communicated through various events. The first event is the celebration of the Lupercal feast. It was the citizens' positive reaction towards Caesar during his triumphal return after his victory over Pompey's sons that fueled the fear of Caesar becoming king. The citizens' opposition to Pompey's allies caused great riots in the streets because shortly before Pompey was their hero. Now Caesar, victorious, is the hero of the moment. Their response also influenced the idea that Caesar was becoming too ambitious. Therefore, the citizens of Rome played a role in the fate of Julius Caesar. A later example occurs during Mark Antony's funeral oration. Brutus logically explains the reasons that made Caesar's death necessary. He informs them that he acted out of love for Rome and his desire to prevent tyrants from controlling it. The citizens welcome his words with applause and understanding. However, their mood changes when Antonio offers his interpretation of the situation. He passionately described the actions performed by Caesar on behalf of the citizens of Rome, which clearly contradict the conspirators' opinion that Caesar was too ambitious. Antony carefully uses irony in referring to Cassius and Brutus as men of honor; the strategy wins over the citizens who listen to his words with growing anger. He leads the citizens to the body and begins to show the brutal results of the murder, simultaneously influencing them to believe that the conspirators are murderers and traitors. Ultimately, Antony reads Caesar's will, which leaves his parks, private properties, and newly planted gardens to the citizens of Rome..