The Tragedy of Julius Caesar was written about four hundred years ago. This story demonstrates the corruption of Roman government in 44 BC. Rhetoric and theatrics are the main tools that current politicians, and ancient politicians use to gain popularity, commandeer power, and make crucial relationships. Important Roman political figures such as Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and Caesar along with present-day politicians use these rhetorical methods to accomplish their goals. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare demonstrates how rhetoric and theatrics largely affect politics and political relationships. These mechanisms were so powerful that it changed the Plebeians’ beliefs, and persuaded them to support both Brutus and Antony. Rhetoric and theatrics were also used to persuade Brutus to team up with Cassius. …show more content…
For example, Brutus asks the Plebeians if they would rather have Caesar living “and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freeman?” (III. ii. 24-26.) This quote demonstrates how Brutus used the rhetorical strategy, Logos, to gain more supporters. This form of rhetoric helped the Plebeians put the dangers of Caesar as king into perspective. The Plebeians were easily persuaded to support Brutus. Rhetoric was the main mechanism to gain support as a political figure hundreds of years ago and today. For example, after making his first rhetoric-filled speech, Brutus gained the support of almost every Plebeian, even though they hated him just moments before (III. ii. 1-57.). This proves how gullible and fickle the public can be. Commoners choose to support politicians based on how persuasive they are, despite what the politicians endorse. This proves how important rhetoric is in politics. Brutus was able to utilize rhetoric in his speech in order to gain more political
No matter what the circumstances, people always look for someone to blame. When Caesar was murdered the Plebeians needed someone to blame for what happened. Despite Brutus’s honor and respect among the Romans, Antony gave the more convincing speech at Caesar’s funeral by having an emotional impact on the Romans, therefore convincing them that an injustice had been done. Brutus first spoke at Caesar’s funeral with the goal of justifying his actions to the plebeians. Out of the three rhetorical appeals Brutus used Logos the least.
By using rhetoric and specific rhetorical devices, Brutus is able to convince the already easily influenced
In the play Julius Caesar, Antony uses the rhetorical appeals of logos and pathos in his funeral speech to persuade his audience of commoners of the conspirators’ cruelty and the atrocity of Caesar’s murder. Antony develops his logical appeal through his use of both repetition as well as rhetorical questions. In utilizing repetition, Antony claims throughout his speech that Brutus and the other conspirators were “honorable men” (Shakespeare). His restatement of this phrase serves to aid the audience in understanding that he is utilizing irony and does not, in fact, believe the conspirators’ actions were virtuous. This reiteration also makes his audience doubt Brutus, who they, moments ago, considered worthy of being their leader.
Julius Caesar was scripted by William Shakespeare, a highly regarded English writer. In the play, Cassius is the manipulator and instigator of the play, he uses rhetoric to gain more people in his plan to murder Caesar. Cassius convinces 7 others to join his conspiracy. The conspirators are Cassius, Brutus, Cinna, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius, Decius, and Metellus; these are the men who plan to kill Caesar. After Caesar is murdered, the conspirators must hide their crime so they have Antony give a speech at his funeral but he must only say good things and not name the conspirators.
Paige Dispalatro Ms. Lammers English Honors II Period 2 19 January 2015 Actions For many centuries, people have often done what they thought was right. Whether it was for themselves or for others, they always had a reason for their actions. In the play Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, Marcus Brutus believes that killing Caesar was best for Rome. But, during his speech, he needs to explain the reasons of his action to the people.
Marc Antony, a character in Julius Caesar, a play written by Shakespeare, applies rhetorical devices into most of his lines in the play. He proves this effective when his elaborate plan works out in the end and he emerges the victor. Throughout the play, Marc Antony speaks to a wide number of people and obtains
Antony’s Speech Using Rhetorical Appeals In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, after Caesar’s death, the Romans are conflicted about what should be done. After Brutus’ speech the Romans are ready to crown Brutus king and be on the conspirators’ side. Though Brutus then leaves the crowd while Antony delivers his speech, the crowd realizes what should be done of Caesar’s murder and Antony prevents the conspirators from getting away with the murder of Caesar.
This rational method of comparing Brutus and Caesar serves to emphasize Cassius’s argument through a logical method of persuasion. As evidenced by the techniques of pathos, rhetorical questions, and compare and contrast, Cassius uses persuasion in a skillful way in order to convince Brutus to overthrow
“And public reasons shall be rendered Of Caesar’s death.” (Act III, Scene II) In the play, “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar was killed by a group of conspirators who believed that his rule would result in the downfall of Rome, and that his death was the best solution. Marcus Brutus, who was viewed as the leader of the plot to kill Caesar, was the first to speak at his funeral, followed by Marc Antony. Each man’s speech included several examples of rhetorical strategies that ultimately swayed the audience to be in favor of one side or another. Marcus Brutus gave the better, more argumentative speech due to his effective use of rhetorical strategies.
In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar, Mark Antony uses rhetorical devices such as paralipsis, rhetorical questions, and verbal irony in his speech to the plebeians in order to plot them against the conspirators. During his speech to the plebians, Antony uses paralipsis in order to kindle curiosity and interest in the audience. Antony mentions to the plebians that he had Caesar’s will with him but tells them, “Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how much Caesar loved you” (3.2.152-153). By drawing attention to Caesar’s will, something Antony desperately wants to show the plebeians, but then dismissing the idea of reading it, Antony uses a type of verbal irony called paralipsis. Antony is aware that the contents
In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar one of the main characters Caesar is killed in Scene 3 act 2.Then Brutus and Antony both give speeches about how bad they feel. Brutus gives a good speech by using all three of the rhetorical appeals to persuade the crowd to want to listen to what he say by using logos,ethos,pathos to his advantage. Brutus gives a better speech that draws the audience attention,Antony not as much. Therefor here are some very valid points on why Brutus’s speech used the Rhetorical Appeals better.
William Shakespeare, in his tragedy Julius Caesar, uses the rhetorical devices of a rhetorical question, repetition of the word “ambitious,” and a direct reference in Antony 's speech to persuade the plebeians to rebel against the conspirators. Antony appeals to the pathos, ethos, and logos of the audience to get them to exile the conspirators. Shakespeare uses a rhetorical question in Antony’s speech to get the plebeians to notice the wrongdoings of the conspirators and excite them to revolt. Antony discusses the economic dominance and vigor that Caesar brought to Rome, and with sarcasm he states, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (3.2.99).
Brutus 's speech: Brutus speaks to the people of rome why he killed caesar so they will not turn on him. He talked about how he didnt kill him because he didn 't love him but because it was for the better of rome. He also tells the people of rome that letting caesar become king would mean the government type would change and all the wars and hard work his family had put into the government would go away. He also states, for the welfare of rome that he would die for rome if rome demands his death Rhetorical devices: Brutus used questions, logos, parallelism, and pathos to stir the people of rhome. Question-
William Shakespeare, in his tragedy Julius Caesar, uses the rhetorical devices of a rhetorical question, repetition of the word ambitious, and direct reference in Antony 's speech to instigate the plebeians and persuade them to rebel against the conspirators. Antony pulls on the pathos, ethos, and logos of the audience to get them to exile the conspirators. Shakespeare uses a rhetorical question in Antony’s speech to get the plebeians to notice the wrongdoings of the conspirators and excite them to rebel. Antony discusses the money that Caesar left to the countrymen, and with sarcasm he states, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (3.2.99).
Brutus delivers his speech in a laudatory manner by conveying Caesar’s deeds and claiming he was ambitious, although Antony contradicts Brutus’ claims and says Caesar spurned the crown with the intent to merely rule as a de facto dictator. Brutus’ speech reveals his motives were truly for the benefit of Rome given his nationalistic tone and Antony’s speech was merely used to obscure his true motives, which was to embroil Rome in a series of civil wars to attain power. Brutus and Antony’s speeches consisted predominantly of Pathos and Ethos, but it is Antony who ultimately it is Antony who prevails because of his almost disingenuous attitude and even use of Logos which is seen when claims that reading Caesar’s will would dishonor his compeers and even Caesar