Brutus Use Of Rhetorical Devices Used In Julius Caesar

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Persuading an audience is difficult, but rhetorical devices can change arguments to appeal to the assortment of people listening. After killing Julius Caesar, Brutus presents a speech to the plebeians of Rome explaining why the assassination was necessary. As Brutus attempts to gain support from his fellow countrymen he utilizes ethos by proclaiming, ”believe me / for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour” (III.ii.1547-1548). The citizens hold Brutus in high regard and so he makes them all remember the positive way they think of him and uses that feeling so they all believe him. Antony has more tack as he foresees the fickle nature of the plebeians and uses pathos more often. After keeping his word and not directly undermining the speech …show more content…

Compared to the Ethos that Brutus used, the people connected with Antony’s speech much more and were in turn more likely to remain by his side. Once Brutus thought he had the attention of the people, he used the literary device Logos to attempt and keep people by his side despite not realizing what little effect it really had on them. The way that Brutus utilized logos was by claiming, “I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I / slew him” (III.ii.1560-1561). Despite the obvious meaning that Brutus was afraid of the power Caesar would gain and what he would use it for the citizens decide they want Brutus to become the new leader and completely miss the point which shows that logos was not a good device to use in this situation. Once Brutus had already made the mistake of using logos, Antony delivered his speech with plenty of pathos, repetition, and a dramatic pause. Before stopping his speech Antony weakly delivers his last emotional line of pathos, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me” (III.ii.1650-1651). After this line Antony cries over Caesar’s body and allows the people to discuss what he has said this