Examples Of Manipulation In Julius Caesar

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Julius Caesar Rough Draft Thesis: In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the theme of using manipulation to persuade others is developed through flattery, speeches, and war. In the beginning of the play, clever manipulation combined with flattery affects the two most powerful leaders in Rome. The first example of manipulation in the play happens when Cassius manipulates Brutus into joining the conspirators by using flattery to get him to plan the assassination. Cassius persuades Brutus to turn against Caesar when he explained that he was just as great as Caesar: “Why should his name be sounded more than yours? Write them together: yours is as fair a name” (1.2.141-42). Cassius wants Brutus to join him in a plot to assassinate Caesar. …show more content…

Near the middle of the play, Antony uses manipulation to convert the citizens from hating him to loving him and make them want to kill the conspirators; ”We’ll burn his body in the holy place and and with the brands with the traitors’ houses” (3.2.250-51). Antony uses persuasion and manipulation in his speech to change the citizen’s views on Brutus and the conspirators. He convinced them that Caesar really cared for the people and that Brutus killed Caesar for his own personal gain. Immediately after Antony’s speech, the people of Rome fell under the manipulation of Antony and killed an innocent man. The citizens were so mad about the death of Caesar that they killed an innocent man; “It is no matter; his name’s Cinna! Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going” (3.3.31-32). Antony used the example of Caesar rejecting the crown to help persuade the citizens and to avenge Caesar. Antony uses manipulation to persuade the citizens into thinking that the conspirators used selfish motives when they chose to kill Caesar. The citizen's end up rioting and killing Cinna the poet, not Cinna the conspirator. Antony’s speech led to blood thirsty riots in the heart of the

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