How can morality be judged based on the actions taken by the characters in Julius Caesar? In the tragedy Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, the characters Portia, Antony, and Brutus appear as masterful manipulators who use different rhetorical tactics such as simile, paralipsis, and repetition to influence those around them. Throughout the play, these characters use rhetoric to sway the opinions of others in order to achieve their own personal desires. Shakespeare uses rhetorical strategies such as repetition and rhetorical questions through Portia as she pleads with Brutus to reveal his secret. The repetition of Brutus' name throughout her sentences shows how much she is trying so vigorously to assist Brutus in his troubles, as she …show more content…
She uses this technique to draw Brutus into her demands, insisting that since she has such compelling emotions, and even "Giving [herself] a voluntary wound /Here, in the thigh for Brutus" even further showing her adoration for Brutus and her urgency to be of service to him as a wife. Antony uses an antithesis as well as a paralipsis to emphasize Caesar’s positive actions and cause the Plebians to question the conspirators' actions. While juxtaposing contrasting ideas, Antony repeats the phrase “Brutus is an honorable man” while simultaneously implying the opposite (Shakespeare 3.2.103). This contrast between Brutus' perceived honor and his act of regicide stirs doubt and begins to sway the Roman audience to see the truth behind the conspirators, especially Brutus’ true intent behind assassinating Caesar. Since Antony speaks in a tone of sarcasm but speaks favorably of Brutus on the surface, it allows Antony to create a facade to the Roman public and criticize Brutus without directly stating so, making the audience feel like they are helping Antony piece the truth