Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

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Rhetoric is a useful tool to allow a speaker to be more influential over his or her audience. Successfully utilizing rhetoric leads the audience to accept the message that is being conveyed, which gives the speaker power over the listeners. William Shakespeare, the author of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar expresses the idea that a person’s rhetorical skills directly influence their power over others by displaying the control certain people have over the general public, the effect rhetoric has within friendships, and how the use of rhetoric affects romantic relationships.
Throughout the play, it is made evident that the population of commoners in Rome are quite gullible and naïve because of the way they react to various events that occur and …show more content…
Brutus pulls Casca aside after hearing the crowd shouting from inside to ask what was going on, and he says, “Why, there was a crown offered to him; and, being / offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, / thus, and then the people fell a-shouting” (1.2.231-233) Caesar’s decline of the Roman crown to make himself appear more humble is an example of indirect use of ethos, which causes the crowd to love Caesar even more and trick them into thinking he isn’t as power hungry as he really is. This use of rhetoric makes Caesar more powerful because of his strengthened grip on the people. Similar characteristics of the masses are demonstrated when Brutus gives his eulogy and asks the plebeians gathered if they would prefer that “Caesar were living, and / die as slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen,” and in response, they praise Brutus, saying that “This Caesar was a tyrant,” and, “We are blest that Rome is rid of him,” but when Antony gives his eulogy just minutes after Brutus, he stresses that Caesar really wasn’t ambitious, but humbly expresses his respect for Brutus by telling the plebeians that Caesar “brought many captives home to

Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

for Rome to continue to prosper, as once Caesar became king, he would become a threat. Considering the trust that he already had with the citizens, they were easily convinced that…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

Title of Your Report In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Antony’s speech is more effective than Brutus’s because Antony studied the Roman people and knew how they react to certain rhetorical appeals, whereas Brutus was faulty in his examination of the crowd therefore causing the crowd to follow Antony. Antony was a masterful orator, appealing to the people's sense of why Caesar was murdered. Antony painted a picture with his words showing the people that the conspirators were nothing more than power…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

distinct characteristics. Cassius's jealousy of Caesar is evident when he manipulates Brutus. In Act I, Scene 2, Cassius questions, "Why should that name sound more than yours?" Shakespeare 1.2.141 - "Standards of the Year" This rhetorical question reveals Cassius's envy of Caesar's power and his belief that Brutus is equally deserving. Cassius's diction and questioning reflect his deep-seated jealousy, which motivates him to conspire against Caesar. Similarly, Jack’s jealousy is apparent when he…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the power of persuasion takes center stage as Mark Antony and Brutus address the Roman crowd in the aftermath of Caesar's assassination. Through the use of rhetorical devices such as repetition and rhetorical questions, Antony strives to sway the people's opinion regarding the conspirators. Meanwhile, Brutus employs his own rhetorical ability to justify the assassination, relying heavily on appeals to ethos. These speeches provide a fascinating study of the…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

manipulated, which leads to chaos. He proves this point in his book, the tragedy of Julius Caesar, by using interpersonal conflict. One example of this is in…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

Words. Some of the most moving words have started mutinies, caused murders, and even resulted in treason. In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Mark Antony appealed to the Roman citizens after a group of conspirators murdered Caesar. These conspirators had already convinced the public that their actions were justified. In his speech, Antony must adhere to the guidelines set for him, so he carefully manipulates his words to achieve his purpose. To trick the Roman people, Antony uses three different…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of Julius Caesar

Rhetoric is a superpower, one that can be used for one’s own advantage or for the good of others. Antony’s best friend, Julius Caesar, has been betrayed by his acquaintances and even by his best friend Brutus. Antony’s dreads for justice, now at the funeral of Caesar he awaits his chance to speak the truth through the power of rhetoric. Antony speaks of Brutus being an honest and humble man and talks as well of the others who also betrayed him. Accordingly he says the following “Here under leave…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

manipulating people to kill several men? In the play Julius Caesar, author William Shakespeare uses ethos, pathos, and logos to present the arguments of the characters contained inside the story. Shakespeare used ethos to convince the audience of the arguments presented inside of the story. Shakespeare wrote that Antony stated “He was my friend, faithful and just to me,” showing that Antony is trying to convince the audience, through ethos, that Caesar was a good, loyal person. Shakespeare also wrote…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

Throughout Julius Caesar, there are many uses of rhetoric, but it is none the more evident during the funeral speeches given by Brutus and Antony. While both men were able to get their point across to the people, Antony was able to indefinitely sway the roman people to his side. A reason for this could be because Brutus allows Anthony to say the last words, but Antony’s use of ethos, logos, and pathos far outclasses Brutus’. Ethos, an appeal to credibility is used by both, an example of when Brutus…

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Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

an event when someone was betrayed and killed by their best friend? In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Caesar was betrayed and killed by his best friend Brutus and the conspirators. After the war with Pompeii (a general), citizens of Rome label Caesar as a hero and lots of people support Career. Brutus and the other conspirators are planning to kill Caesar because Caesar is getting too much power (citizen’s support). Caesar is kill at the lupercal by Brutus and the conspirators. After Caesar’s…

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