Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

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Word: a single distinct meaningful element of speech. In William Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, words are being utilized to show two different peoples reasonings behind the death of their dear friend in the form of funeral speeches. Through the uses of rhetorical and literal devices, Brutus and Anthony deliver contrasting tones of proud and manipulative to convince the citizens of Rome. Using rhetorical and literary devices like antithesis, parallism, and hyperbole, Brutus shows a persuasive and proud tone as he strives to convince the citizens of Rome that Caesar deserved to die. One device Brutus uses throughout his speech is antithesis; he says to the crowd that it is “Not that [he] loved Caesar less, but that [he] loved Rome more” (Shakespeare 42). Mentioning that he did not love Caesar less, shows …show more content…

Putting Rome first makes his tone of persuasion stronger, because the people want the best for their country as well. This connects him to the crowd which helps him convince them that he did this deed for the betterment of his fellow Romans. An additional device used to convey Brutus’s tone is parallelism. Brutus uses this to show the citizens that he is confident and proud of his actions. He assertly says “ as [Caesar] was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him” (Shakespeare 42). Brutus tries to reassure the people and prove to them that he knows what he is doing and that he did not kill Caesar just to kill him, he had a reason. This intensifies his tone; by telling the people what he did and why. It creates a trust between Brutus and the citizens, which aids him to convince the crowd that Caesar was ambitious. Later in the

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