In Julius Cesar written by William Shakespeare, lines 90-131 in act one scene two, Cassius uses figurative language, a dramatization of events, flashbacks and allusion to appeal to Brutus’ ethos and nobility, allowing Cassius to seem more convincing, be seen as a noble man and a hero in the eyes of Brutus. Cassius uses the literary device of flashback throughout his disquisition to Brutus in the scene. Cassius tries to convince Brutus of Cesar’s inability to rule Rome, and only emphasizes the need to stop him through the use of a flashback. Flashback is used as a means to dramatize background information and seems to be a convincing scheme to highlight to Brutus that there is proof of his weakness and tyranny, for a king should not need to be saved. This reveals Cassius’ motivation and motives to manipulate Brutus into being a conspirator. Other literary devices such as imagery and allusion only furthers the meaning and theme of manipulation. …show more content…
Cassius makes a point to describe Caesar as having “coward lips” (Shakespeare, 1.2. 122), and with this, pairs his cowardly character with the insight that those very lips are the ones to “bade the Romans” (1.2.125). With the use of imagery, Shakespeare and, therefore, Cassius provides a vivid image of Julius Caesar’s character. The juxtaposition of the two roles of Caesar, a coward and a ruler, is used as another rhetoric device to convey the meaning and theme of manipulation that is shown throughout the play. By juxtaposing these two sentences, Cassius’ intention of engineered influence and the idea that one, especially if noble, can be swayed easily is