Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

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During Act 1 Scene 2, of Shakespeare's play, Julius Ceasar, Cassius gives a lengthy speech in which he uses multiple forms of rhetoric to persuade Brutus of Caesar’s many faults. Cassius discredits Caesar by using logos to exemplify Caesar’s weakness when he claims that Caesar dared him to jump into a river but could not follow, and instead,"[He] cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!'"(Shakespeare). Cassius uses this example to demonstrate that because Caesar cannot swim or follow through with his own challenges, he is not as powerful as the Roman people believe him to be. Cassius also appeals to Brutus’ pride by saying that “ …[Caesar] doth bestride the narrow world Like a colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about…”(Shakespeare).