Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis Essay

A true friend does not exploit others for their needs. Whether the intentions are good or bad, the outcome is never good. In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Cassius manipulates Brutus to get what he desires. Cassius uses rhetorical questions, allusions to mythical heroes, and degrading anecdotes to appeal to Brutus that Caesar should not rule, for he is not great in any way.
The passage begins with Cassius preying on Brutus’ emotions. He begins his appeal to Brutus by complimenting him when he states, “I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus” (sec. 1). Basically, Cassius is praising Brutus, telling him that he is virtuous in order to prompt Brutus to listen to what he has to say and lean toward his side. Cassius then introduces an anecdote

2). They both went in, but before they finished, “Caesar cried, ‘Help me, Cassius, or I sink!’”(sec. 3). The point of this anecdote is to prove Cassius’ point that Caesar is weak and is just a mere man. While telling this story, he introduces an allusion to Aeneas, who was a Trojan War hero who carried his father, Anchises, on his shoulder. Cassius uses this reference to compare himself to Aeneas, who….. As Anchises’ strength faltered, Aeneas carried him to safety. This mention of Aeneas is meant to show that Cassius is like Aeneas: strong and powerful and Caesar is like “the old Anchises”: weak and feeble. By using these words, he implies that Caesar is relies on others for help. The image of Cassius carrying Caesar on his shoulder is meant to show that Cassius is stronger than Caesar, and Caesar is a feeble man who is not fit to do anything. Had he said, “I had to bear Caesar on my shoulder, for he too,

Cassius brings the question directly to Brutus, asking, “Ay, do you fear it?” (sec. 8). This use of a rhetorical question allows Cassius to see where Brutus’ judgment is at the moment, although he knows full well that Brutus is against the notion of a king. Sometimes, one has say it to believe it. Brutus answers back that he will not allow Caesar to become king although he respects him very much. By this point, Cassius has shaken Brutus’ position. Pressing his advantage, Cassius challenges Brutus as to why he has allowed Caesar to be “like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs” (sec. 10). To emphasize Brutus’ inferiority, he compares a Colossus to Caesar, while portraying Brutus in a negative light as a “petty” man. Thus, Brutus feels inadequate. As the passage ends, Cassius reverts back to his old methods of vindicating Brutus’ beliefs to work against him. Now, he publicly challenges Brutus, challenging “was a Brutus once that would have brook’d the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king” (sec. 15). By referring to what the old Brutus would have done, Cassius is questioning his honor and giving a figurative “slap in the