Examples Of Antistrophe In Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was one of the best known historical figures to come out of ancient Rome; he is also the basis of William Shakespeare’s tragedy called Julius Caesar, although this is very different from the actual events. It takes place in ancient Rome; when the main character of Brutus begins to fear for the future of Rome when he learns that his arrogant friend, Julius Caesar, could possibly become king. In response to this he goes along with a plan to kill Caesar. After Caesar has died Brutus, and Caesar's close friend Antony speak at his funeral. Brutus gives a speech about why Caesar needed to die, while Antony gives of speech about why it was awful and unneeded. Antony gives a much more thorough and persuasive speech, using many rhetorical devices.

Antony has a pattern of after he defends Caesar for a while he would then say the quote of “Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man.” This is antistrophe because he most often places this statement at the end of his main points. Not only is this phrase used as an antistrophe, but it’s also incredibly ironic. Antony goes on about how kind and unambitious Caesar is, and then uses the phrase to stab at Brutus. He means the opposite of what he says; he is teasing the fact Brutus believed himself to be so honorable when what he did, in Antony’s opinion, was awful, and uncalled for. This phrase can also make more people emphasize with Caesar, because the believed Brutus to be honorable before he did this, and this may remind them of that. Unlike Antony, Brutus did not take advantage of the persuasive use of antistrophe. There is not one case of it throughout his entire speech. Because of Brutus’ lack of antistrophe, or even repetition in general , his speech comes off as boring, and forgettable. If someone is unable to remember something how are they to be persuaded by