Effective Use Of Rhetoric In Julius Caesar

497 Words2 Pages

What is the use of persuasion when used in writing or speaking? Rhetoric is the persuasion which features effective use of figures of speech and powerful techniques. Rhetoric is shown in Julius Caesar and is used thoroughly throughout the entire story. There is convincing and questioning done between the characters which ends up leading to certain events. Julius Caesar included many important interactions using this figure of speech such as using expressive signs between the crowd and conspirators. Rhetoric is a language literary device which was taught as seen throughout the entire storyline of Julius Caesar. In act I.ii.192-195 “Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.” Caesar was having a conversation with Antony, and he mentioned Cassius by using judgment upon the way Cassius looked based on his appearance, Caesar felt suspicion toward Cassius, believing that he is not trustworthy. Rhetoric had its use in these situations because Caesar is attempting to persuade Antony into thinking Cassius isn’t to be trusted therekfore giving Antony …show more content…

As stated in Act 3; Scene 3; Lines 20-28 “What villain touched his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us That struck the foremost man of all this world But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honors For so much trash as may be graspèd thus? I had rather be a dog and bay the moon Than such a Roman.” At this stage Brutus has a soliloquy which determines whether murdering Caesar will actually be the right decision to make. This is extremely effective because it creates a character vs self moment which allows further consideration and thought which can even lead to foreshadowing of what might happen