Julius Caesar Ethos Pathos Logos

Any good orator knows that the most efficient way to capture an audience is by forming a direct, personal connection. Antony does so by beginning his speech with, “Friends Romans, and countrymen” (3.2.131), conspicuously rearranging the order of the Brutus’ opening - “Romans, countrymen, and lovers!” (3.2.127). As Brutus began with “Romans” to articulate that Rome is very dear to him, Antony begins with “Friends” to reveal his value of personal relationships over being a countryman. Further on, Antony also mentions that, “[Caesar] was [his] friend, faithful and just to [him]” (3.2.131), once again, indicating that companionship holds more importance to him than being a Roman while also hinting the use of pathos. This completely contrasts with Brutus’ belief of holding Rome as more valuable than friendship and his use of logos. Throughout the speech, Antony regularly asks

Then, in order to further generate a level poignancy, Antony questions the citizen’s ability to reason through the use of a metaphor by saying, “O judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beasts, / And men have lost their reason.” (3.2.132). Here, Antony is relating the citizens’ judgment to that of an animal and challenging Brutus - who had asked the citizens to use their reason. Antony is figuratively asking the citizens how they possibly believed that Caesar had been, or would become, a tyrant as they were the ones who rejoiced when Caesar had defeated Pompey, cheered Caesar, and sought to crown him king in Act 1. Antony also uses emotional appeal to present his grief over Caesar’s death through the lines, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me” (3.2.132), and pauses to allow the audience to register his