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Rhetorical Analysis Of Brutus Caesar

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“But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” (George Orwell, 1984). William Shakespeare intensified his quality of work by insinuating manipulative and persuasive language within his writing. Cassius, a loyal server to Brutus, was easy to coax Brutus into rebelling against Julius Caesar, gaining an additional member to his group of conspirators. Cassius altered Brutus’ thoughts of Caesar’s ruling, within the use of multiple effective rhetorical techniques. Shakespeare enforced persuasive behavior by implying techniques of anthesis, juxtaposition and rhetorical questions in order to maneuver Brutus’ impressions toward the new ruling of Caesar. When Caesar was wanted as ruler of the Republic of Rome, Cassius attempts to convince Brutus of rebelling against Caesar, as they are equal in the ability to rule over Rome. Shakespeare entails the use of an antithesis to empower Cassius persuasive behavior. “We both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter’s cold as well as he.” (I.ii.9-10). Cassius is employing both Brutus and Caesar are equally capable of representing the Roman Republic. Shakespeare insinuated the use of anthesis within his writing as a method to establish a stable base to the process of luring Brutus into the world of betrayal and power. …show more content…

Shakespeare compromises the use of rhetorical questions into Cassius’ words to further sway his audience. “Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great?”(I.ii.58-59). Cassius signals that Caesar and Brutus have grown up to be valuable and honorable men, equally gifted to rule a republic. Shakespeare incorporated the use of a rhetorical question, as it empowered the belief of equality between Brutus and Caesar. Both sharing the same knowledge and capability but obtaining different

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In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, he uses rhetoric writing techniques and appeals, such as ethos, logos and pathos, to enhance the persuasive element of the monologues. Cassius persuades Brutus to overthrow Caesar while using logos throughout his monologue. Cassius proves Caesar competes with him by explaining to Brutus, with facts, that Caesar questioned him to, “Leap in with me into this angry flood and swim to yonder point” and prove how Caesar makes everything a competition with Cassius (Shakespeare 14-15). Cassius also wants to show Brutus that Caesar believes that he is a triumphant leader and can accomplish many battles from the past like, “Aeneas, our great ancestor, did the flames of Troy upon his shoulder the old Anchises bear,

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Persuading an audience is difficult, but rhetorical devices can change arguments to appeal to the assortment of people listening. After killing Julius Caesar, Brutus presents a speech to the plebeians of Rome explaining why the assassination was necessary. As Brutus attempts to gain support from his fellow countrymen he utilizes ethos by proclaiming, ”believe me / for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour” (III.ii.1547-1548). The citizens hold Brutus in high regard and so he makes them all remember the positive way they think of him and uses that feeling so they all believe him. Antony has more tack as he foresees the fickle nature of the plebeians and uses pathos more often.

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Who is here so vile that will not/ love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended(lll.ii.25-29). At the start of each question he uses anaphora, which means to, “Repeat the same words at the beginning of a series of sentences or clauses”(Romm, 42). And at the end of each phrase he uses Epistrophe, which is “when many clauses have the same ending”. Both of these Devices allowed Brutus to connect to Pathos.

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By using rhetoric and specific rhetorical devices, Brutus is able to convince the already easily influenced

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Julius Caesar is a play that is primarily about persuasion. For example, Cassius manages to persuades Brutus the death of Caesar is necessary for the good of Rome. The ending of the play is basically determined by the speeches that were made to the plebeians by Brutus and Mark Antony. Throughout the play of Julius Caesar, examples of effective rhetoric are shown and the support it truly deserves by having Brutus's speech and it arguing about Mark Antony's. Shakespeare shows that Antony's speech is far more persuasive and reaching to the plebeians than Brutus’ is.

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Through the use of of several rhetorical devices like comparison, pathos, and figurative language, Cassius is able to twist Brutus' sense of honor and view of Caesar. In order to begin twisting Brutus' Caesar, Cassius finds the "virtue...in [Brutus]" and uses that "outward favor" to become " [Brutus'] glass"(I:ii:68-93). Cassius uses figurative language to appeal to Brutus. Cassius finds Brutus's 'virtue' and uses it in order to give Brutus a way to make sure he is doing the right thing.

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