Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony employs various figurative techniques to manipulate the crowd during Julius Caesar’s funeral. Antony rhetorically manipulates the crowd’s senses by utilizing logos to disprove Brutus's assertion of Caesar's ambition.Brutus calls Caesar ambitious in his speech because he believed Caesar would use his power to devour Rome. By presenting factual evidence of Caesar's actions, Antony effectively challenges the notion that Caesar was ambitious. Antony explicitly reveals “He hath brought many captives home to Rome. Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?”(3.2.88-90). This indicates that Caesar sought the freedom of captives rather than controlling

Additionally, Antony states “You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?”(3.2.104-106) Antony's counterargument emphasized Caesar’s reluctance to power and was supported by his three consecutive refusals of the crown in front of Lupercal. Antony’s use of logic and facts manipulated the plebeians to reconsider Caesar’s ambition. Furthermore, Antony skillfully employs pathos to sway the crowd's negative emotions towards the conspirators. To invoke the fickle crowds' emotions and grief, Antony chooses to unveil Caesar’s brutalized corpse after his death. In the play, Antony states, “Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar. Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made. Through this the well-belovèd Brutus

In his speech, Antony proclaims, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff”(3.2.90-92). By posing this rhetorical question, Antony makes an attempt to get the audience to consider whether Caesar would still be ambitious if he dedicated his time to aiding the less fortunate. Through manipulation of emotive language, Antony wanted to raise vengeful thoughts of revenge for Caesar among the crowd. In addition, Antony employs reverse psychology to subtly manipulate the crowd’s thoughts against the conspirators. Antony brings up the topic of Caesar’s will, but claims he will not read it to pester the audience. In the play, he states, “And, being men, bearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad. It's good you know not that you are his heirs. For, if you should—Oh, what would come of it!”(3.2.151-152). To rile up the crowd’s anger, Antony further teased them by saying Caesar’s love would touch them. In reality, Antony strategically prompts the crowd to demand the reading of the