Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

Set during an incredibly tumultuous period of the Roman Republic, Julius Caesar recounts the complex relationships and histories between rulers, countrymen, generals, and armies that led to the death of Caesar, and later his assassins. In his provocative historical tragedy Julius Caesar, the famous poet and playwright William Shakespeare examines how values of manhood and honor influence the decisions of his characters. Frequently adopting a manipulative tone, characters in Julius Caesar use tropes of repetition, create graphic imagery, and recite anecdotes to spur other characters into action, often for their own gain. Throughout Julius Caesar, various characters use repetition to contrast values of honor, persuading other characters into

Moreover, Antony uses repetition to contrast Brutus’ opinion on Caesar’s ambition with Caesar acting selflessly, shifting the crowd's favor as a whole. Also using repetition, Portia employs her status as “a woman, but withal a woman that Lord Brutus took to wife” to persuade Brutus into confiding in her (Shakespeare 2.1.315-316). Using anaphora, Portia adds to the rhythm of her plea, consequently, emphasizing this portion of her claim. Moreover, the repetition of “woman” enables Portia to distinguish the lack of honor given to women within the social hierarchy of Rome from the honor that Brutus has given her as a high-status, honorable individual. Through the use of graphic imagery, characters in Julius Caesar influence the decisions of others. To convince Caesar to come to the Senate, Decius Brutus manipulates Calphurnia’s dream of “statues spilling blood” into a dream foretelling Rome’s “reviv[al]” (Shakespeare 2.2.90). Decius uses graphic imagery to appeal to Caesar’s value of manhood, using Caesar’s lack of fear and his prideful nature against

Moreover, displaying Caesar’s wounds emphasizes the conspirators' violent actions against him, rather than their honorable cause. In turn, the Roman people mutiny against the conspirators. In order to influence the actions and gain the trust of others, characters in Julius Caesar recite anecdotes. While convincing Brutus to join the conspirators, Cassius recites stories of him saving “the tired Caesar” from drowning and him witnessing a seizure, wherein Caesar “[shook]” and “groan[ed]” like “a little girl” (Shakespeare 1.2.128-135). Cassius challenges Caesar’s manhood and aptitude to rule over Rome by reciting stories of Caesar's weakness. Further, providing detailed examples of Caesar’s weakness makes Cassius seem more trustworthy in Brutus’ eyes, enabling his success in convincing Brutus to kill Caesar, his best friend. However, Antony believed Caesar to embody manhood and honor when recounting the story of Caesar “refus[ing]” the “kingly crown” at his funeral (Shakespeare