Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

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In the play Julius Caesar, the author Shakespeare depicts a persistent controversy between Caesar and his conspirators that turned against Caesar. Brutus remained a great friendship with Caesar for a very long time until he became a disguised rival that was joined by many other conspirators which involved Cassius. Through many struggles and schemes, they achieved their goal to bring Caesar down and assassinated him when the chance was given. “E tu Brute?” were the last words of Caesar that left a mark even in today's history because Brutus turning against Caesar depicts that not everyone can be fully trusted for what they portray to be. But, this play highlights also the importance of real friends such as Antony that tried to bring the best …show more content…

Brutus uses logos in his speech to earn the consciousness of the citizens to why he had killed Caesar. Brutus states, “Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? (III.II. 24-26). ” In this statement, Brutus justifies his actions as he states that if Caesar was alive, then all the citizens would have been slaves. But, if Caesar is dead, then all would be free men. Brutus wants to trap the citizens by making them feel as if they only have two choices and having Ceaser be dead would be the only way to sense protection and security. Through this, he uses logos in a very ineffective way because he uses the terms “either”, “or” which also are known to be logical fallacies. In addition, Antony also uses logos in his speech to oppose Brutus point of view. He states “I thrice presented him a kingly/ Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious: And, sure, he is an honourable man (III.II. 105-108).” In this quote, Antony aspires to portray Caesar as a worthy man that only craved to construct a well-fortified city. He remarks that Caesar was offered the crown of kingdom for three times, yet he declined the offer. This displays the modesty of Caesar and that his objective was only to help the citizens. He has no …show more content…

He was able to make the people feel very sympathetic towards him and made the citizens of Rome feel impassioned within. One of the quotes he used to show this use of effect was, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me (III.II. 116-117).” This quote describes his perfect way of using pathos, because he was able to deliver an emotional speech for Caesar that made the people feel very sad for him as he just lost his friend, especially when he started to cry. The people of Rome knew of the relationship between Caesar and Antony (and how much it must’ve pained Antony, to see his best friend laying in the ground bleeding out) . While Antony was able to get in touch with people’s emotions, Brutus didn’t quite know how to do that, as he was more straightforward with them. However, the people didn’t need to hear those words from Brutus during a time when he was the reason for such destruction. One of the quotes that portrays his ineffective use of pathos is, “ Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge (III.II. 17)”. This was a very weak quote that Brutus used in his speech as he didn’t know how to get in touch with their emotions. Instead of him being very emotional with the crowd and feeling for Caesar, he was straightforward with his

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