Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar begins with attempts from both Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, and Decius, a member of a group of conspirators, to persuade Caesar to listen to them about his upcoming death. Calpurnia’s persuasion is to avoid making her nightmares of Caesar's death come true. However, Decius knows of this nightmare and wants Caesar to follow through with his destiny of death. Decius’s argument has a greater effect on Caesar because of his careful choice of detail and use of personal appeals to Caesar. Calpurnia’s argument is based on the visual imagery that she experiences in her dream, or rather her nightmare. She describes the graphic event of Caesar's death in her argument as an attempt to appeal to his fear by including lines …show more content…
However, Decius is selective with the details he shares with Caesar and appeals to his pride as well as Caesar’s love for his country. Decius knows about Calpurnia’s dream and his interpretation of it is unlike hers. He says, “This dream is all amiss interpreted; It was a vision fair and fortunate: Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed,” (Lines 45-48). Decius reassures Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream is a leadership opportunity, not a path to death. Caesar recognizes the pride that he would feel if he continues to the Senate. After, Decius further strengthens his argument by saying, “To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change,” (Lines 56-57). He sets up the hypothetical that if Caesar continues to the Senate, he will be crowned and applauded for his leadership and determination. Decius intentionally mentions the possibility that if he chooses to stay home, the Senate would think differently of Caesar. This appeals to the pride that Caesar feels for his country as well as his determination to be a leader. As a result, Caesar changes his mind and decides to leave his home and make his way to the Senate. Decius’s choices to connect with Caesar’s pride and question his bravery are the reasons that Decius’s argument is more persuasive than