One of the most famous scenes in Julius Caesar is Act 3, Scene 2, a rhetorical clash during which the the fate of all of Rome hangs in the balance. It is during these moments that Brutus and Marc Antony showcase their rhetorical skills, turning the tides against the conspirators and ultimately culminating in their demises. This is when we, as readers, receive an opportunity to see both the good and the supposed “tyranny” of Caesar, in the form of Brutus’s and Antony’s well-crafted orations. More importantly, it symbolizes the fall of Brutus’s good reputation, and the rising in power of Octavius and Antony, who will later form the second triumvirate with Lepidus. The use of diction in both Marc Antony’s and Brutus’s speeches reflect …show more content…
He did not want to make his actions appear to be a senseless murder or a greedy attempt at gaining power; rather, he was trying to make his actions seem justified, and for the common good. Brutus’s use of syntax in the initial portion of his speech placed words in an order such that it appealed to the logic of the audiences, or in other words, used logos to convince the audience. In essence, he is making his organizing the words in a way such that it becomes cause-and-effect - “...As Caesar loved me, I weep for him. As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As he was valiant, I honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” (JC 3; 2; 26-28). Contradicting Brutus’s point, Antony shows Caesar to be unjustly and misguidedly assassinated in his eulogy. In the very beginning of his speech he says “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred in their bones. So let it be with Caesar. ” (JC 3; 2; 84-86). By saying “...the good is oft interred in their bones…” instead of “The evil that men do lives after them..” right before mentioning Caesar, he is emphasizing that Caesar was actually good, and not evil. Obviously, this does nothing but discredit Brutus, as his intention was for Marc Antony to explain that they had a good reason for killing Caesar - in effect, that he was going to become an evil man or a tyrant. Although he is saying that the good that Caesar did will be buried with his body, and that the Plebeians will only remember the evil, he is implying that Caesar did do good - and that Brutus is only showing them the bad of Caesar, and not the