Examples Of Rhetorical Devices In Julius Caesar

Antony’s Rhetoric Devices
Every species handles death differently. Throughout history humans have regarded death in various ways. Many wars and revenge plans have been created in order to avenge a death. Marcus Aurelius quotes, “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Caesar is murdered by a group of conspirators. Bitter about Caesar’s death, Marc Antony speaks against the conspirtators at Caesars memorial while trying to maintain the trust and honor he has established while trying not to speak bad about them. Marc Antony desires to convice the Plebeians that what the conspirators did was wrong. By using word choice, rhetorical questions and tone Antony appeals to the sympathy

He refers back to times when Casear was good and discusses how all the good is being forgotten and is clouded by the bad that he also done, (Shakespeare 3.2 72-8). Antony was one of Caesar’s closest friends and doesn’t believe that Caesar deserved to die, especially not the way he was murdered. Though he agreed to not speak bad about the conspirators, Antony can’t help but feel bitter and angry for what they had done. He reminds the Plebeians of what good Caesar has done and how they once followed everything he did with admiration. His bitter tone is used to engage the sympathy and anger the Plebeians should feel for someone they once believed so greatly in. Following his examples, Antony uses juxtaposition to create questions in the Plebeians' loyalty to Brutus by saying “But Brutus says he was ambitious And Brutus is an honourable man,” (Shakespeare 3.2 85-86). Antony gives an example that proves Caesar was not ambitious, but doesn’t break his promise to not tarnish the conspirators’ names by following it up with saying “but Brutus is an honorable man.” The contrast between Brutus being an honorable man and a situation where Caesar was not ambitious shows that Brutus is not telling the full truth. This would lead the Plebeians to question if Brutus is telling the truth. This questioning would later lead to complete faith in what Antony is saying,

Antony appeals to logos by providing examples that show Caesar being unambitious. When discussing the three times he refused the crown, Antony asks, “was this ambition?” (Shakespeare 3.2 96). Though Antony is not looking for a response, he is leaving an impact that will cause the Plebeians to think about what he and Brutus have said. Antony’s intention is to create doubt and appeal to the Romans logic, because doubt plants distrust. Antony proceeds to use diction when referring to heart and coffin (Shakespeare 3.2 105-6). Antony’s word choice causes a tone shift. Antony’s word choice draws on the sadness he has due to his friend dying. This reflects on his honor and kindness that he shared with Caesar. The word ‘coffin’ helps to remind the Plebeians that his friend was murdered. Antony’s purpose is to draw on the Pleabians sympathy and remind them of their loyalty to Caesar. By reminding them of their loyalty, he is showing the justice that must be