Connotation In Julius Caesar

240 Words1 Pages
In William Shakespeare’s tragic play “Julius Caesar,” Mark Anthony remarkably masters oratorical manipulation through employing anaphora and connotative diction to foster dissent amongst the Romans. As Anthony reminisces on Caesar’s valiant actions, he empathetically repeats that the conspirators are “honorable men” while subtly insinuating that they are the “traitors [and] villains” who killed Caesar (3.2.137, 103, 108). Unable to speak ill of Brutus, Mark Anthony utilizes ambiguous connotations to disguise his true intention of avenging Caesar. Moreover, the anaphoric repetition’s variance in diction emphasizes Brutus’ reputation becoming increasingly deceitful and nearly comical, casting doubt on the true motives and credibility of the