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How Does Shakespeare Show The Power Of Words

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Can the simplicity of words be used to completely change someone's beliefs and objectives? With the power of rhetorical devices it is possible to change the actions of another person with simple manipulative tactics and deceptive concepts. Throughout the play of William Shakespeare these devices are used by the characters to provoke unsuspecting people to fall into deception. While it was written as a play to the audience it has gone beyond that by describing the power and importance words have on one's mind, to the reader of the play. It is expressed in various forms such as Pathos, which is used to play into the emotions of a person and give senses of guilt to the situation. As well as Ethos, describing the credibility of a person to feel …show more content…

Shakespeare presents Anthony's speech using the credibility of another person against them in order to prove his point. By reflecting that Brutus’ as known by the people as Honorable, isn't all that he states he is, it changes the ideas of the crowd. The author asserts this as “if I stirred your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I would offend Brutus and Cassuis, who, you all know, as honorable men” (Shakespeare 137). With his knowledge of the situation, he disregards the earned respect that Brutus and Cassius had built with the crowd. His excellent use of sarcasm and repetition of their honorability, gives the audience a change in thought without ever stating that they were not as they seem. Anthony’s cleverness with Ethos helped contradict his positive statements he repeatedly said towards Brutus and Cassius. Combining horrible actions with the trustworthiness and positive positions given by the crowd, he was able to turn the tables and make it a negative degradation to their reputation. His rhetorical device of Ethos did the talking for him, manipulating the crowd into his deception. Another use of credibility was Portia in her argument with Brutus. She hasn't been told secrets that her husband, Brutus, has been keeping from her. It escalates quickly and Portia says and does everything she can so that he would tell him. Shakespeare expresses this as “ Id know your secret…im the woman Lord brutus took as his wife… im still a woman from an honorable family—Im Cato’s daughter” (Shakespeare 73). In her argument she expressed all the reasons that she is to be respected and trusted making it notable for her honorable heritage. With her strategic use of enlistment of her titles and respected heritage she is able to manipulate and disburse a sense of entitlement and respect to Brutus. By doing so, she is able to convince Brutus of why she deserves to be trusted

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