Rhetorical Analysis

823 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Analyze the role of brutus in julius caesar

Throughout literature and history itself, the powerful language strategy of rhetoric has been applied to both good and evil. Even the most loyal and honorable of men can be led astray by rhetoric, if used successfully. In Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the character Cassius, a conniving and jealous man, successfully uses the “dark side” of rhetoric to beguile Brutus, a friend of Julius Caesar, to conspire against Caesar along side of him. Cassius and a group of other men feel if Caesar is to acquire power and rule Rome, it would destroy the Roman Empire. They believe the only way to ensure that does not happen is to murder Caesar. Cassius uses ethical fallacies such as flattery to persuade Brutus even more. Even though Brutus is loyal, Cassius’ attempts are effective, so he believes he is doing this for the good of Rome and its people. With his correct usage of the art of seduction, Cassius is successful and appeals to Brutus’ pride, honor, and emotion.
Cassius makes a very successful, thought out plan, which he reveals to only a select few. The ones that are not to become aware of this scheme are Julius Caesar himself and Mark Antony, Caesar’s right-hand man. He has chosen Brutus to promote his idea and plan for various reasons. One of them includes the fact that Brutus is a close friend of Caesar’s. If Cassius get close to Brutus, he is given a direct line and is even closer to Caesar. Also, if he can persuade the loyal Brutus to go against Caesar, he can convince the people of Rome. Another reason Cassius has chosen him, is because of his popularity among the people. If he gets him onto his side, he can have all of Rome on his side as well. The people trust Brutus with his decisions and wise words.
Cassiu...

... middle of paper ...

...uld underneath the rule of Caesar. However, he does not make his final decision just yet. He asks of Cassius if he could stop with his persuasion for the time being, and that he will let him know of his choice on the topic a further time. In the end, his decision ends up with him being on the side of Cassius.
Rhetoric is one of the most powerful language devices ever known. Whether it is for good or evil, it will not be effective unless used correctly. In this play, it is used so successfully that even the most loyal of men can be seduced. Cassius uses pathos, ethos, and logos to persuade Brutus and accomplish his goal of the fall of Caesar, through the dishonest use of rhetoric.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. McDougal Little. 2009. Print.
Romm, Joseph J. Language Intelligence. North Charleston : CreateSpace, 2012. 183-1. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Direct Characterization In Julius Caesar Essay

    399 Words  | 1 Pages

    In addition to this characteristic of Cassius, he also has a devious nature. This attribute allows him to invent informed manipulative plans to eliminate his opponents. For instance, after saying his farewells to Brutus, he gives a soliloquy that reveals his idea of throwing writings of different handwritings in Brutus’ windows “as if they came from several citizens” all of which “tending to the great opinion that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely Caesar’s ambition shall be glancéd at” (Shakespeare I. ii. 306-309). Since Brutus and Cassius have been friends for a long period of time, Cassius holds an abundance of knowledge pertaining to his values--in this case being his honor and desire to please Rome’s citizens. This undermining plot Cassius has devised is based on an informed opinion of the most effective way to subvert Caesar’s authority, and because of the valid observations made of Brutus by Cassius, the likelihood that this clever scheme will be carried out successfully should make Caesar concerned about the intentions of his judicial

    Read More

  • Comparing the Speeches of Mark Antony and Robert F. Kennedy

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mark Antony’s speech, whose aim is to counter Brutus’ speech, enlightens the crowd on the unjust murder of Caesar. Though he never directly communicates to the crowd of his feeling towards the conspirators, Antony was able to effectively convey to the crowd, through the use of verbal irony and other stylistic devices/techniques in his speech, his true views of the assassination. Moreover, Antony was able to shrewdly emphasize his belief of the undeserved assassination of Caesar through the wide use of epiphoral and anaphoral structure in his speech. Antony emphasizes the wrongdoings of Brutus and Cassius through the ingenious use of the epistrophe along with verbal irony as he notes that “I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong” (III, ii, 125). Moreover, he stresses the importance of punishi...

    Read More

  • How Does Anthony Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, pathos, logos and ethos are evidently and effectively used to persuade the audience into believing Caesar was not ambitious and that he was an innocent man. Throughout the speech the citizens were easily persuaded, but Anthony’s intellectual speeches made the audience question and imagine what they have turned into. Anthony used these three rhetorical appeals to win back the citizens just like many people do today. The power of pathos, logos and ethos in a speech can change one mind in an instant and if successfully used can change a mind to be fully persuaded without confusion.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Rhetoric Analysis

    1235 Words  | 3 Pages

    The central theme of Act III, Scene ii of “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare is the power of rhetoric because it shows the effect of two funeral orators’ on the crowd. In this scene, Antony and Brutus have similar purpose in talking to the public, which is to gain the support of the Plebeians according to their conflicting views about Caesar’s assassination. This essay focuses on comparing the orations of the two speakers in this part of the play according to Aristotle’s rhetoric system. According to Aristotle’s writings, Antony’s speech is more persuasive than Brutus’ speech, because he is able to provide logical, emotional and ethical appeals to his audience. Firstly, in comparison to Brutus’ logic, Antony provides more evidence to prove that Caesar was not ambitious. Secondly, Antony’s emotional acts and speech moved his audience more than Brutus. Finally, Antony acts more noble than Brutus does.

    Read More

  • Brutus was a cautious, devious, and naive man

    453 Words  | 1 Pages

    Brutus is a very cautious man. “Into what dangers are you leading me, Cassius, that you would have me look into myself for things that are not there?”(1.2.68-70) This quote is referring to act 1 where Cassius brings Brutus into the room and starts to talk about Caesar. When Cassius suggests to kill Mark Antony alone with Caesar, Brutus says, “Our plan will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius. We cut off the head and then hack the limbs, seem to kill Caesar in anger and then vent malice on his friends, for Antony is only a branch of Caesar.”(2.1.169-172) Brutus doesn’t want to just kill everyone, and be know as a killer, he just wants to do what he thinks is right for the people of Rome. Brutus was cautious, even near the end of the play when he was in his tent talking to Cassius,he told Lucilius and Titinius to go guard the door, until he had finished he conference.

    Read More

  • Brutus and Antony’s Use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” Elements of Literature: Kylene Beers. Austin: Holt, 2009. 842-963. Print.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Honor Quotes

    576 Words  | 2 Pages

    Brutus’ ignorance creates an expectation that develops a path which leads him awry. When Brutus mentions,“ I would not Cassius; yet I love him well” (1.2.81-88 ), he portrays his internal conflict. Brutus depicts the rendering struggle between Cassius’ acquisitions and Caesar’s actions. His oblivion toward the truth and goodwill concerning the greater health of Rome prompt him astray. He acts with the innocence of a child, deceive and swindle by Cassius, Brutus is an

    Read More

  • Comparison of the Two Speeches in Julius Caesar

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    In William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, two speeches are given to the people of Rome about Caesar's death. In Act 3, Scene 2 of this play Brutus and Antony both try to sway the minds of the Romans toward their views. Brutus tried to make the people believe he killed Caesar for a noble cause. Antony tried to persuade the people that the conspirators committed an act of brutality toward Caesar and were traitors. The effectiveness and ineffectiveness of both Antony's and Brutus's speech to the people are conveyed through tone and rhetorical devices.

    Read More

  • Themes of Superstition, Manipulation and Honor in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is important to note that manipulation is also another key theme in the play. Brutus is skeptical about murdering Caesar but is convinced by Cassius and the other conspirators to help them complete the mission. Cassius way of manipulating Brutus is flattery!

    Read More

  • Rhetoric and Betrayal in Julius Caeser Play

    1472 Words  | 3 Pages

    08 May 2014. http://www.gradesaver.com/julius-caesar/study-guide/section3/>. Shakespeare, William, and Henry N. Hudson, LL.D. "The New Hudson Shakespeare Julius Csar. " Project Gutenberg. Ed.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Manipulation Essay

    1120 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cassius wanted Brutus to believe killing Caesar was a sacrifice for the better of Rome's people. Not only was Cassius a manipulator, but he also went against his own religion because of his own enviousness. Before Caesar was killed, a frightening and harsh storm came about Rome. Casca, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar, became frightened of the storm because he felt that the storm is an ominous warning from the Gods that they are unhappy about their plotting. Cassius, however, viewed the storm as a symbol of Caesar's growing power. Cassius interprets the storm as a call to action: a message from the Gods that Caesar must be dispatched of. Cassius also wanted to kill Caesar’s ally, Mark Antony, because he knew what he was doing was bad and that Anthony would fight back, which is actually what happens throughout the story. Since Brutus is high-minded he does not kill him because he thinks Antony will do no harm and will understand.

    Read More

  • Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Initially, Brutus was wary of Cassius when Brutus said, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius?” (1.2.69). Subsequently, Brutus is persuaded as he states, “.what you have said / I will consider” (1.2.176-177). Cassius is willing to control any person who stands in his way. Cassius successfully turned Brutus against his best friend in order to achieve what Cassius believes to be best for Rome.

    Read More

  • The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

    1996 Words  | 4 Pages

    Manipulation influences decisions and changes others’ thoughts. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, manipulative language acts prominently between the characters. Brutus struggles to decide if the safety of the Roman Republic appears more important than his friendship with Julius Caesar. Cassius tries to persuade him to join the conspiracy that decides to kill Caesar. Envious of Julius Caesar’s power, the Senators believes that when Caesar becomes ruler, the change of government forever affects Rome. Brutus agrees that it seems for the best of Rome for Caesar never to become dictator, but he never wishes to change his opinion on his death. In a persuasive manner, Cassius sends anonymous letters to Brutus to convince him to join the conspiracy. The conspiracy consists of senators and aristocrats who gather to converse about the Julius Caesar’s assassination. Cassius nominates Brutus as the leader of the conspiracy in order to gain his vote. They decide to kill Caesar on “the Ides of March.” On the morning of March 15th, Caesar’s wife persuades him to stay home because of an eerie dream. Decius, a conspirator, convinces him that the dream retains good omens. In a rush to become king, Caesar goes to the Capitol where the conspirators murder him. Therefore, Antony begs to speak at his funeral where he convinces the plebeians that Caesar never means harm. At this point, Antony declares war on the Caesar’s killers. In the end, he defeats Brutus and Cassius, and the two conspirators kill themselves. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare declares that language expresses a powerful weapon, and in the hands of a skilled person, it manipulates others through the use of foreshadowing, imagery, and verbal irony.

    Read More

  • Essay On Persuasion In Julius Caesar

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a leader of the conspiracy to assassinate the great Caesar, Cassius tried to make Brutus join the conspiracy for the sake of many positive aspect follows with him. And that are, Brutus is popular with the commoners and furthermore Brutus’s father was highly respected as much as senators. His personality was cool-headed, which will make conspiracy more harden. At the beginning of the conversation between Cassius and Brutus, Brutus reveals that he is at war with himself regarding Caesar. Revealing his condition enhanced Cassius’s flattering on Brutus saying he is as good as Caesar and that he’s a most honorable man.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of Mark Antony in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare is the story of the assassination of Julius Caesar. Two speeches were made after his death, one being by Mark Antony. He uses many rhetorical devices in this speech to counter the previous speech and persuade the crowd that the conspirators who killed Caesar were wrong. Rhetoric is the art of persuasion and these many devices strengthen this by making points and highlighting flaws. Antony uses many rhetorical devices, all of which are used to persuade the crowd that the conspirators are wrong and Caesar did not need to be killed.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis

Open Document