Mark Antony's Use Of Ethos In Julius Caesar

In the play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses the techniques of imagery and pathos to portray the themes of power, omens and persuasion. William Shakespeare incorporates imagery in the form of metaphors to vividly express the idea that power inevitably leads to destruction. He further develops the imagery when he personifies the weather to articulate the importance of omens. In Mark Antony’s speech, he uses pathos to convey the power and destruction of persuasion.

Shakespeare incorporates imagery to convey a warning that power leads to destruction. He does this through Julius Caesar’s ambition with an exaggerated metaphor where Caesar compares himself to the Northern star. Caesar explains that men are but “unnumbered spars…but there is one

Mark Antony applies pathos effectively to persuade the mob, who previously cried “live Brutus” to “burn the house of Brutus”. Antony uses pathos to trigger an emotional response to the death of Caesar and passionate hate towards Brutus and the conspirators. He repeats sarcastically that “Brutus is an honourable man,” while reminding the mob of the good of Caesar to accentuate his message that Brutus’ honour is a ludicrous thought. He expresses his own sorrow for Caesar’s death, telling the audience that his “heart is in the coffin there with Caesar”, letting the audience remember their own sorrow and grieve Caesar’s death. Furthermore, he appeals to their greed when he reads Caesar’s will in which Cesar leaves the people “all his walks, his private arbours and new planted orchards”. Shakespeare demonstrates that this persuasion is powerful when the passion evoked in the mob turns violent and kills Cinna the poet for having the same name as Cinna the conspirator. When he tries to explain, the mob responds with “His name’s Cinna. Pluck but his name out of his heart”. The violence emphasises the influence pathos has over the audience and displays how emotion can be powerful and