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Brutus stabs the prince
David Bullard |
30. maj 2023
David Bullard on the insider calls the "outsider" anything but unauthorized
FOR BREAKFAST
Around midday on Saturday 20 May, Prince Mashele was among a high-profile panel of experts and analysts "exploring South Africa's future after the 2024 elections" at the Franschhoek Literary Festival.
The festival biography for him reads as follows:
Prince Mashele is the Executive Director of the Center for Politics and Research, a leading political commentator on South African politics and an author. He is the author and co-author of The Death of Our Society in 2011The case of the ANC: what's next?
Prince has written articles for South Africa's top newspapers including The Sunday Times, Sunday Independent, Business Day, Sowetan and others. In 2023, he will publish his new book The Outsider: An Unlimited Biography of Herman Mashaba.
The following day, Prince Mashele was better known in the SA media as the "disgraced former political activist and analyst" after it was revealed that he had managed to extract the extraordinary sum of R12.5 million from Herman Mashaba, for writing his 'unlicensed work' ' biography.___STEADY_PAYWALL___
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The conflict was predictable. Angry journalists, lucky enough to earn a few hundred thousand in royalties from a rare bestseller, spat blood. Then there is the whole question of whether a biography can be illegal when the subject of the biography has left the author of that "biography" the price of a quite decent luxury apartment in Cape Town plus a sporty runabout.
The official answer was that the twelve and a half million was for research needed to produce the book. Sounds a bit expensive to me, but what do I know about research? Like most journalists, I invent things over time.
Zapiro produced a particularly vicious cartoon on the website The Daily Maverick. It featured the cover of the book, with Mashaba captioned as "the mischief-maker", with Prince Mashele beside him, shoulder-deep in a pile of money, and the caption "The bullshit artist, formerly known as Prince." The word "Unauthorized" on the book cover had the heading "The big lie". All in all, pretty career-limiting stuff.
But it wasn't just the author's reputation that collapsed overnight; Herman Mashaba's reputation was also in ruins, as was his party, Action SA (now known as Auction SA). How can we trust a leader-in-waiting who has already proven he doesn't mind financial fraud to make a good impression? South Africans have been there and done that.
Unlike Prince Mashele, I am not a talking head, not a political commentator who often appears on TV, but my guess is that Action SA's chances of being elected next year are a bit less after this debacle. A debacle celebrated by some of Mashaba's political enemies.
With appropriate literary flourishes, Prince Mashele's downfall was accomplished in almost Shakespearean fashion when Brutus stabbed him in the back with the dagger. This was Brutus Malada, who had apparently been good friends with Prince Mashele in the past and had been paid the paltry sum of R3 million to help research the book, but had received no recognition for his hard work.
I'm sure it's completely coincidental that Brutus is the spouse of DA politician and former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse, and that pillow talk could in no way have led to Prince Mashele's literary defenestration.
When The Outsider first came out earlier this month, there were a few promotional interviews that have now secured social media immortality. One of these was a televised interview by Stephen Grootes, who effusively introduced Prince Mashele, saying: "The first thing you have to say is that he knows his stuff." He knows what he's talking about. The other thing (and I'm not saying this about everyone) is that he is very honest. You know where he stands.” Oops.
->The other performance that will haunt him forever was an interview with the flamboyant Ongkopotse JJ Tabane on eNCA where he told his interviewer that the book was self-funded. Tabane then dutifully wrote a "shout-out" on the cover, which read: "What a masterpiece... irreverent, educational and entertaining."
Since his humiliating performance, Mashele has appeared on virtually every TV and radio station to explain the situation. It's clear he told JJ Tabane a big joke, but the reasoning behind it seems to vary depending on which interview you watch.
One explanation is that he had a duty of confidentiality and could not disclose his source of funding. Another reason is that this was only a loan from Mashaba to keep the wolf out of the door and get him over the time it would take him to write the book. It was understood that the loan would then be repaid. Visibly uncomfortable, Mashele simply did not have a convincing answer ready as he squirmed under the questions.
Obviously, the word "Unauthorized" on the cover of a book suggests that what you're about to read is an uncompromising, stripped-down analysis of the subject. Clearly not the case with The Outsider, where the issue was deeply (and very expensively) involved throughout the process.
I have never been offered R12.5 million to write an unauthorized biography, but if I had, for example by my old friend JZ, I would certainly have been aware of some of the bad stuff, such as downplaying his corrupt connections and focused more on his excellent singing voice and love of dancing. So an "unauthorized" biography that turns out to be fake is a scam.
However, this gets more interesting. When Mashele's publisher Jonathan Ball realized the hot, stinky stuff was hitting the fan, he publicly announced they were withdrawing the book with immediate effect. Very ethical of you.
Presumably all the copies would be collected from booksellers and the pulpit, and then Jonathan Ball would consult lawyers to recover the publishing costs from the now fabulously wealthy Mashele.
So I was surprised to see copies of The Outsider under the Recommended Reading sign at my local exclusive books. When I asked why they were still on display, the staff assured me that there had been no attempt to collect them. Apparently, a promise to "retire" specimens could sometimes boost sales by inducing an artificial rarity hype in the meantime.
I visited a few other bookstores and The Outsider was readily available. One store admitted that it moved its samples to the back of the store, but was happy to sell them under the counter if a customer asked (more like making a cocaine deal, I imagine). They only had one copy left.
I must admit that I am neither particularly surprised nor appalled by the skepticism shown by various sides in this matter. We live in an extremely dishonest country and perhaps the only way to survive is to embrace our culture and be as shady as possible.
After almost thirty years, the ANC confession of "lying and denying" must be on everyone's lips. However, I would have liked more transparency with books, especially from the publisher's side. In this sense my new book"David Bullard... The Unauthorized Autobiography"is already commissioned by ChatGPT and any research donation of R1M or more would be greatly appreciated. mothers the word.
(Confession of ignorance: I've googled and tried to find an answer with no luck. Like that other highly imaginative royal writer Prince Harry, is Prince Mashele in line for the Mashele crown one day? Or is that just his first name? You see fall... does he regularly get an upgrade to business class on flights?)
***
If you're still a bit skeptical about artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential harm it can do, you're right.
Last week, at a post-meeting wine tasting, I chatted with one of my tech-savvy neighbors about artificial intelligence. He had already downloaded ChatGPT4 on his various devices and even had it on his smartphone. He is a convert and offered ChatGPT to write my bio to show their versatility. This happened in less than a minute, which was extremely impressive. The only problem was that it was completely inaccurate.
I appear to have been born in October the year before I was actually born in December. I became known for my frank and provocative writing style. Okay, but I never went to University College London and never worked for various British newspapers and magazines. I have also never hosted a radio program in South Africa.
The dismissal from the Sunday Times in 2008 was apparently due to controversial comments I made about the victims of a plane crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I then published books, including one called The Book of Bullard. I am now retired and live in the UK. Fortunately, my "legacy as a controversial figure in South African journalism is secure".
I told my neighbor that this was mostly bullshit, and he kindly offered to hire ChatGPT to rewrite the bio with a 007 theme. It begins... "David Bullard is an accomplished and sophisticated writer who has brought his own brand of shaken, raw, controversy to South African journalism."
That was better. As the ANC has taught us over the years, if you're going to lie, eat your fill.
FAQs
What is the explanation of Brutus speech? ›
Brutus makes a speech explaining that although he valued Caesar as a friend, it was appropriate to kill him for his ambition, and that he did so with the good of Rome in mind. He challenges the crowd, saying that anyone who loves his freedom must stand with Brutus. Mark Antony enters with Caesar's body.
What is Brutus saying in Act 2 Scene 1? ›Brutus. Oh come on, good Cassius, don't think about him. If he loves Caesar that much, the only one he would harm is himself, becoming so grief-stricken that he kills himself. And that's the most he would do, given how he lives just for the pleasures of life: sports, parties, and socializing.
What is Brutus speech in Act 3 Scene 2? ›Act 3, scene 2 Brutus explains to the people that the cause of Caesar's assassination was the preservation of the Roman Republic from Caesar's ambition to be king.
What does Brutus do in Act 5 Scene 2? ›Encamped with their armies, Brutus and Cassius quarrel, then agree to march on Antony and Octavius. In the battle which follows, Cassius, misled by erroneous reports of loss, persuades a slave to kill him; Brutus's army is defeated. Brutus commits suicide, praised by Antony as “the noblest Roman of them all.”
Which statement summarizes the main idea of Brutus speech? ›Which statement summarizes the main idea of Brutus' speech? Though Brutus loved Caesar, his love for Rome outweighed it, so he assassinated the ambitious Caesar in Rome's best interest. Brutus does not give any reason for assassinating Caesar; he was simply following along with the conspirators' plan.
What is the main appeal of Brutus speech? ›In his speech to the Roman citizens, Brutus uses ethos to establish himself as a virtuous and honorable character, and to appeal to the values of his audience. He uses cause, or virtue, to appeal to the Roman citizens' sense of duty and loyalty to the state.
What does Brutus repeat in his speech? ›Repetition: “Brutus was an honourable man”. The use of repetition was to sarcastically state that Brutus was an honourable man and to say one fact while meaning the other. Mark Antony makes use of repetition to make the plebeians question if Brutus is honourable or not.
What is his message to Brutus? ›Antony's servant brings a message to Brutus. What does he say? His servant says "Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honorable." He asks for a safe passage for Antony to see Brutus and hear why Caesar deserved to be killed. Antony wants to speak at Caesar's funeral.
What is the meaning of Brutus speech Act 2? ›What is the meaning of Brutus' speech in lines 10-34? To demonstrate the inner conflict Brutus has with forged letters. Why is no oath sworn by the conspirators? Brutus states that an oath isn't required for men that should already trust each other. Why is Cicero left out of the conspiracy?
What huge mistake does Brutus make in Act 3 Scene 1? ›Brutus's mistake in letting Antony speak derails the conspirators' cause and leads to tragedy.
What does Brutus fear in Act 1 Scene 2? ›
Brutus eventually tells Cassius that he is also afraid about how much power Caesar has and that he might be made king.
What is Brutus discussing with himself at the start of Act 2? ›Summary: Act II, scene i. Brutus paces back and forth in his garden. He asks his servant to bring him a light and mutters to himself that Caesar will have to die. He knows with certainty that Caesar will be crowned king; what he questions is whether or not Caesar will be corrupted by his power.
What is Brutus uneasy about in Act 4 Scene 2? ›Act 4, Scene 2
Cassius arrives, and Brutus asks to speak privately. Cassius complains about Brutus disciplining one of Cassius' subordinates, and Brutus in turn accuses Cassius of taking bribes. Brutus argues that they must wage war honorably, or the killing of Caesar was hypocritical.
A conspirator, Decius Brutus, persuades him to go to the Senate with the other conspirators and his friend, Mark Antony. At the Senate, the conspirators stab Caesar to death. Antony uses a funeral oration to turn the citizens of Rome against them. Brutus and Cassius escape as Antony joins forces with Octavius Caesar.
What is really bothering Brutus in Act 4 Scene 3? ›Brutus and Cassius dismiss their guards and servant. Brutus explains that his temper stems from grief—Portia is dead. She killed herself by swallowing coals when she feared that Antony and Octavius would defeat Brutus.
What is the main idea of Brutus 3? ›Brutus III
Brutus criticizes representation under the Constitution. In addition to the Three-Fifths Clause, Brutus notes that there would be less Representatives in the Federal Congress than the total of those under the separate States.
Brutus, a staunch friend of Caesar, betrays his leader when he joins a group of conspirators plotting to kill Caesar. Although the others kill Caesar out of jealousy, Brutus believes he is killing Caesar to protect the greater good of Rome.
What rhetorical device does Brutus use in his speech? ›Brutus' speech, in which he argues for people to set aside their emotions and think about what is best for Rome, exemplifies the rhetorical appeal of logos, while Antony's emotional speech about his dead friend employs pathos.
What were the flaws in Brutus's speech? ›The main flaw in Brutus' speech at Caesars funeral was that his argument had only one source of proof, his reputation. “Brutus' speech at Caesars funeral hammered home one argument- that his own honor had to be relied on” (Wills 79).
What metaphors are used in Brutus's speech? ›Brutus uses an extended metaphor of an adder, a dangerous snake, to describe the potential danger of Caesar becoming king, saying, “it is the bright day that brings forth the adder” (line 15). Given power or a “bright day,” Caesar may become an “adder” or a dangerous snake (line 15).
What is the importance of Brutus speech? ›
The purpose of his speech is to prove to the citizens that Brutus is wrong and Caesar shouldn't have been killed. The tone of his speech is very ironic. It also gets very dramatic as he talks about Caesar being killed.
What is significant about Brutus last words? ›Impaling himself on the sword, Brutus declares that in killing himself he acts on motives twice as pure as those with which he killed Caesar, and that Caesar should consider himself avenged: “Caesar, now be still. / I killed not thee with half so good a will” (V.v. 50 – 51 ).
What is the most important Brutus quotes? ›One of the most famous quotes from Brutus is when he tells Cassius, "Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies? And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?" This line shows how much he cares for his friends, but also shows his delusion since he has also killed Caesar for the sake of Rome.
What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech? ›What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech? He offers his dagger so they can kill him if they disagree with the killing of Caesar.
What are Brutus 4 mistakes? ›Brutus makes very large mistakes in this play. Brutus listening to Cassius about assassinating Caesar in the beginning of the play. Brutus not killing Caesar. Brutus having his army meet the enemy in Philippi.
Was Brutus guilty or innocent? ›Caesar was an honorable man who died a sad death. Brutus brutally stabbed Caesar in the back (literally). Brutus is guilty.
What is Brutus's tragic flaw in Act 3? ›Answer and Explanation: In Julius Caesar, Brutus's tragic flaw is idealism, which clouds his objectivity about other people and contributes to his downfall. First, Brutus's idealism allows him to be manipulated by Cassius and drawn into the conspiracy as Brutus wants to do what is right for Rome.
How is Brutus manipulated in Scene 1? ›For example, one way Cassius plans to manipulate Brutus is by throwing several forged letters through his window, each designed to encourage Brutus to rise up against Caesar. Cassius's greatest strength comes through his ability to persuade with words.
How does Brutus feel at the end of Act 2 Scene 2? ›Brutus is grief stricken but must mourn when the battle is over.
Why can t Brutus sleep in Act 2 Scene 1? ›Why can't Brutus sleep? He has been going over the idea of killing Caesar that Cassius planted in his mind.
What is the irony in Act 2 Scene 1 of Julius Caesar? ›
Act 2, scene 1
As with many soliloquies in Shakespearean tragedy, Brutus's speech is an important source of dramatic irony. By thinking out loud, he informs the audience of his intentions to help kill Caesar while Caesar himself remains in denial about any threat to his life.
Honor in Julius Caesar is synonymous with bravery and selflessness. This is why Brutus is considered honorable by nearly every character in the play: he is earnestly committed to public service and the overall good of his country. It is precisely this virtue that Cassius exploits for his own aims.
What reasons does Brutus give for killing Caesar in Act 2 Scene 1? ›He tries to justify killing Caesar, saying that although Caesar seems honorable now, he may become corrupted by power. Brutus reads a letter that accuses him of not taking action to prevent corruption in Rome. Cassius and the conspirators visit, and Brutus agrees to kill Caesar.
What is the real reason for Brutus ill temper in Act 4? ›What is the real reason for Brutus's ill temper? Give all of the details. Brutus is disturbed because he fears the conspiracy has become corrupt, perhaps more corrupt than Caesar who they were to replace and Portia was dead.
What is bothering Brutus in Act 4? ›Answer and Explanation: In Act IV of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are arguing because Brutus has "condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella for taking bribes here of the Sardians." Cassius is angry because he sent Brutus letters pleading for Lucius Pella and feels Brutus has "slighted off" the letters.
Why did Brutus betray his friend? ›Brutus was a betrayer because he wanted to kill Caesar just so he could take his place. He was a betrayer because he killed his best friend instead of thinking of another way to stop him.
What flaw does Brutus show in Act 4 Scene 3? ›What flaw or flaws does Brutus show in Act Four, Scene 3? How do these flaws make him a tragic hero? He has good intentions, but he isn't very worldly. He's intolerant about weaknesses, even though he has weaknesses.
Does Brutus stab himself? ›Marcus Junius Brutus, a leading conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar, dies by suicide after his defeat at the second battle of Philippi.
Why is Cassius upset with Brutus in Act 4 Scene 2? ›Brutus and Cassius row
In this scene, Cassius accuses Brutus of wronging him. Brutus fights back, accusing Cassius of bribery and reminding him that they killed Caesar to stop him being corrupt, not to become corrupt themselves. The row gets personal and Cassius draws his dagger, daring Brutus to kill him.
Brutus tells that he killed Caesar because he had become ambitious and wanted to be the king of Rome. He killed Caesar for the betterment of Rome. He was also ready to lay down his life for his country.
What is the summary of Brutus argument? ›
Brutus argues that a free republic cannot exist in such a large territory as the United States. He uses the examples of the Greek and Roman republics that became tyrannical as their territory grew. He states that a true free republic comes from the people, not representatives of the people.
What was Brutus speech in Julius Caesar? ›As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman?
What was Brutus main conflict? ›Brutus is the most conflicted character in the play. He is Caesar's friend and looks up to Caesar with admiration. But Brutus also loves Rome and says multiple times that his highest commitment is to Rome. His conflict arises because he must decide if murdering his friend for the sake of Rome is worth it.
What are 3 of Brutus mistakes? ›Brutus listening to Cassius about assassinating Caesar in the beginning of the play. Brutus not killing Caesar. Brutus having his army meet the enemy in Philippi. These mistakes are so large that they cause Brutus' final tragedy, his death.
What is the main argument of Brutus 1 quizlet? ›What was the main point of Brutus 1? The primary argument of Brutus in this essay was that the proposed Constitution would usher in a consolidated national government, and that this was a gross error and likely to lead to disaster.
What is the irony in the Brutus speech? ›Irony is when something unexpected happens, or someone says something and means the opposite. The first example of irony is when Brutus kills Caesar for being ambitious. This is ironic because Brutus is actually being ambitious here too. He says he is killing Caesar before he can do anything dangerous.
What is the verbal irony in the Brutus speech? ›The most obvious use of verbal irony, when a character says one thing but means another, is the seeming defense of Brutus. Throughout the speech, Marc Antony repeats several times that Brutus is an honorable man.
What is the irony in Brutus's funeral speech? ›In Julius Caesar, Antony uses irony in his funeral speech by continually referring to Brutus as an ''honorable man'' while disproving Brutus's claims about Caesar.
Why did Brutus betray? ›Brutus becomes convinced that the citizens want to stop Caesar from becoming emperor of Rome as a result of the fraudulent letters. Cassius betrays not only Caesar, but Brutus as well, since Brutus joins the conspiracy as a result of the false impression of the citizens' position that Cassius conveys in the letters.