The purpose of this scene was to create a turning point in the play for Brutus and the conspiracy (the wheel of fortune). Antony uses his ability of speech to convince the crowd of how great Ceaser is as well as reducing Brutus’ creadablility (this is done through the repeation of ‘Brutus is an honourable man’ causing the phrase to lose it meaning)

‘I am no orator, as Brutus is’ 

This quote is a great example of how Antony directly lies to the public, as we all know of how well Antony has spoken thus far, to convince the public of how ‘honourable’ Brutus is as well as drawing himself away from the conspiracy so it is very clear to the public that there is two sides; Ceaser and Brutus.