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Discuss the irrationality of the mob in scene three of Act lll in Julius Caesar. How does this prove that being uninformed is dangerous? Do we see...

The question refers to Act lll, scene lll, when the mob attacks Cinna the poet. Since he bears the same name as Cinna the conspirator, they decide to kill him. When he pleads for his life and cries out that he is Cinna the poet, they are so driven by their lust for blood and revenge, that they shout that he should be torn to pieces for his bad verses. The innocent Cinna loses his life because the mob has become a savage, bloodthirsty force that has lost all reason.


It was Antony's highly emotive speech whilst standing next to the slain Caesar's bloody body in the market, that drove the crowd into a frenzy. Antony's speech had manipulated them to such an extent that they turned away from Brutus and demanded his blood and vengeance on all those who conspired with him in Caesar's assassination.


The idea of the mob being uninformed is somewhat problematic. An assumption that they are uninformed about why Caesar had been killed would not be entirely correct since Brutus had admitted to being an assassin. He also, most eloquently, gave reasons why Caesar's death was necessary. The crowd then responded with praise for Brutus and his co-conspirators for having had their good interests at heart and rescuing Rome from a possible tyrant.


The crowd was swayed by Brutus' fluency and were positive about what had been done. It was Antony's articulate appeal to their emotions, his use of clever rhetoric, as well the provision of proof relating to Caesar's generosity, that turned the mob against the conspirators.


One can, therefore, say that they were well-informed and that their actions were not the result of not knowing anything but were the consequence of knowing so much. They were driven by emotion, not ignorance.


The idea that 'uninformed' refers to the throng being uneducated is more accurate. Most of the multitude were common labourers and servants of the privileged. They were, therefore, more in touch with their instincts and emotions and, as such, easily manipulated by both Brutus' and Antony's rhetoric. The fact that they could o easily switch allegiance from the one to the other proves this. 


Yes, the same mob mentality exists even today and it does not matter whether the mob is educated or not. Once people are driven by their emotions, they relinquish reason and lose themselves in the mass. Individual identity is sacrificed. This type of behaviour is illustrated whenever there is a riot or a protest which turns violent.


We are currently witnessing it in protests at South African university campuses where students have become violent and destructive. We also saw it in the streets of a few American cities in the recent past in protests against police prejudice and racism. We were also witnesses to this sort of behaviour during Euro 2016 when fans clashed in the streets.  

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