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Who had a desire for power in julius caesar
Power greed and ambition in julius caesar shakespeare
Who had a desire for power in julius caesar
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Voltaire, a French Enlightenment writer and historian once said, “To hold a pen is to be at war.” This quote demonstrates how expressing words can have as big of an effect on its witnesses as war does. Although not through written words, Mark Antony, a character from the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, fights a battle through verbal words to gain the support of the plebeians of Rome. After his good friend and previous monarch of Rome, Julius Caesar, was assassinated, Antony is given a chance to eulogize at Caesar’s funeral. During this time, Antony persuades the people of Rome to revenge Caesar and revolt against the conspirators. Antony is able to sway the plebeians to his side by demonstrating ethos, logos, and pathos to gain the trust of the plebeians, give inarguable evidence to them, and inflict feelings such as guilt and anger in the mob. The first step to getting an audience to listen to a speaker is for the speaker to have good credentials, or ethos. At the beginning of his speech, …show more content…
Before Antony gave his speech, Brutus had labeled Caesar as ambitious and used this reason to justify the murder. To rebut, Antony points out that Caesar “hath brought many captives home to Rome,/ whose ransoms did, the general coffers hill” (III, ii, 90-92). Antony gives an example of logos by saying that Caesar gained wealth and land for Rome and not himself, demonstrating that Caesar acts for the good of his country and not for his own ambitions. Antony supports his rebuttal to Brutus’ claim once again later in his speech by reminding the plebeians how he “thrice presented [Caesar] with a kingly crown,/ which he did thrice refuse” (III, ii, 97-98). Again, Antony proves that Caesar was not ambitious because he refused the crown, a symbol of wealth and power. These facts that the plebeians are all aware of speak to their logic and help sway them to Antony’s
Even though both of their logos catches the ears of the people Antony's caught their full undivided attention. Brutus uses something most people have for their country, love. Brutus states," Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." (III:2:20-21). Brutus says that he iis doing his all for the sake of Rome and that Caesar's ambition scares him. Antony on the other hand, proves that Caesar did not have much ambition, and that he loved his people. Antony says," You all did see that on Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?". (III:2:93-95). Also he states," Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal to every Roman citizen he gives- to every several man- seventy-five drachmas." (III:2:230-232). This is what mainly helps him win over the
Character Analysis Antony- What Cassius says about Antony: "You know not what…that which he will utter?" Pg. 582 lines 233-236. This shows that the conspirators are afraid of what Antony will say in his oration to the mob. Cassius is trying to make Brutus see what Antony is really up to, but Brutus is too caught up in honor to notice. What Antony does: He speaks to the crowd making them feel sorry for him, ashamed of themselves, and hate the conspirators. He causes them to go into an angry rage in scene 3. What Antony feels: "O pardon me thou…gentle with these butchers." Pg. 582 lines 254-236. Antony has made a deal with the conspirators that have killed his best friend. This quote is after the conspirators have left, and he is talking to the corpse of Caesar. He spills his true intentions and gives word of his counter conspiracy. He feels that even though the men are honorable, that they have butchered a man that could have been reasoned with and brought out of what it was he did wrong. What Antony says: "Let each man render me his bloody hand…My credit now stands on such slippery ground that one of two bad ways you must conceit me…." Pg. 580 lines 184-194 He leads the conspirators on to trust him, when in fact, he wants to be able to speak to the mob. He uses a vicious pun so that he knows what he is talking about, but the conspirators think that he is simply talking about the blood on the ground being slippery. Caesar- What Caesar says: "Et tù Brute? Then fall Caesar!" Pg. 577 line 77 Caesar is shocked that Brutus, his most loyal friend would do this. His mask comes off at this point and shows his personal face. Throughout the play, he has put himself as an arrogant official, and only when he is around his friends does he show his true identity. This is so important because marks the point when Caesar’s spirit enters Antony’s revenge. The play comes to its climax in this line. What Caesar does: Caesar refuses to let Publius Cimber back into Rome. He, in a way, kills himself by the way he responds. He puts himself up as a god-like man and almost says he is in control of his own destiny. This gives the conspirators final reason to kill him, and they do.
In the play Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, Brutus and Antony both display their sides of Caesar in hopes of getting the Plebeians to support them. Mark Antony, a friend of Caesars, effectively persuades the crowd that the conspirators are traitors rather than heroes while technically keeping his promise to avoid saying anything negative about them. Antony convinced the mob that Caesar cared for the common people by manipulating the definition of the words “honorable” and “ambitious,” and using props, thereby delivering the more effective speech in the end.
In this case, Antony conglomerated events, that actually occurred, to develop a stronger message. He stated that he “thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse” (3.2.105-106) before questioning whether this was ambitious. This correlation was rather logical by Antony as this event countered Brutus’ claim that Caesar was ambitious - in most scenarios, an aspiring individual would pridefully accept the crown with such acclaim. Therefore, this reasonable connection attributed to the plebeians’ doubts whether Julius Caesar’s murder was legitimate. Unsurprisingly, Antony comfortably dominated the LOGOS aspect by utilizing evidence that truly happened while Brutus rather proposed possibilities in an idealistic fashion. In fact, the superior qualities of Antony’s speech utterly humiliated Brutus’ address in these another aspect, ETHOS. The rhetorical device, ETHOS, associates to the credibility of the speaker. For Antony, his language solidified a trustworthy reputation. He expressed that Caesar “was my friend, faithful and just to me.” (3.2.94). This emotional statement addressed a principle element: Antony was a true friend of
A great civilization may face tremors of external source, though the most fatal of all threats is internal weakness. That is the conjuration of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a work by William Shakespeare, arguably the most talented writer in the English language of all time. In this play Caesar is a powerful politician with the potential to be dubbed ruler of Rome. Unfortunately, he is slaughtered by his fellow nobles. Brutus, of those who has slain Caesar speaks before a crowd of plebeians (Roman commoners) of why he chose treason-it was for Rome; Caesar was ambitious. However, grief stricken and resolved for revenge, Mark Antony-proven to be Caesar’s only loyal supporter adjust the crowd for his own speech. One exulting Caesar’s name and good deeds. While spoiling the reputation of his murders, and recovering love for the lost Caesar, Antony speaks of which he defines as “what I do
After the assassination of Julius Caesar, both Brutus and Antony speak to the people of Rome. Brutus speaks to convince his countrymen that he and the others were justified in their actions; Caesar was a threat to their freedom and country. Antony exemplifies in his speech that Caesar was not ambitious and always had the people’s well-being in mind. Both of these speakers are effective in persuading the Romans of their cause but Brutus’s speech is most effective because of the way he was able to communicate his reasoning clearly and make the audience thankful for his actions.
In his speech, Brutus presents logos in a different way; they are not outright facts, rather statements that Brutus believes to be fact. Brutus use logos to explain to the crowd the reasons for his actions. In act 3, scene 2 Brutus says, “ As he was valiant, I honored him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” Brutus believes Caesar’s ambition is a known piece of information and therefore states it like fact. The crowd embraces these statements due to Brutus’s confidence in them. Antony on the other hand, uses past events to show Caesar did not deserve to be killed. In act 3, scene 2 Antony proclaims, “He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.” Antony is referring to Caesars days as a general for the Roman army. The people loved Caesar for his military conquests and Antony sees this as an opportunity to remind the people how they appreciated Caesar. Using the irrefutable fact that Caesar brought land and riches back to the Roman people, persuades the people even closer to hating the conspirators for killing
It takes a lot of things to prove those to have wit, yet only one thing to prove another is ignorant. In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, Marc Antony presents a heart wrenching speech in the name of Julius Caesar to the Roman people. In doing this, he challenges the ideas and reasoning for murdering Julius Caesar presented by Brutus, which in turn, sways the people’s trust and faith away from Brutus himself. His powerful words bring the people to rebel against Brutus and other conspirators with violence and brutality. Therefore, in his acclamation, Marc Antony uses skilled rhetoric and several persuasive techniques to build his credibility and appeal to the Roman citizens to fuel their rebellion against
(877) in order to make the crowd feel complete and utter guilt for their betrayal and anger towards the conspirators who killed their beloved idol. Brutus and Antony’s use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos throughout the novel are just examples of the everyday persuasion used around us daily, when reading the play it does look like one giant competition to see who is the most persuasive and influential character. Even in today’s economy, companies have to compete for the attention of consumers’ worldwide and politicians who argue their beliefs and views to millions of voters in order to get what they want, because the art of persuasion is just one big game. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The.
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.
Brutus repeatedly says, “If any, speak, for him have I offended,” (III.ii.25). Brutus’ tactic is to try to force someone, or dare them, to disagree with him, which no one ends up doing. Brutus tries to make people fear him, which works for a brief period of time. Mark Antony, on the other hand, goes on the attack, rather than the defense, by repeatedly saying, “Yet Brutus said he was ambitious; And… he is an honourable man.” (III.ii.89-90). By going on the offensive side, Mark Antony uses the repetition of this extreme usage of irony and sarcasm to make the audience understand that all of this is Brutus’ fault and that he should be punished for his crimes, no matter his intentions. Both groups use similar rhetorical strategies to prove that Caesar should or should not be dead for what he has done, with differing results. Brutus and Mark Antony also use emotional appeals to persuade their audience that they are correct in the matter of the death of their esteemed
“Rhetoric, the art of making life less believable.”- Ben Marcus. In light of conspirators assassinating Marc Antony’s long-time friend, Caesar, Antony vows to avenge Caesar’s death. In Antony’s speech at Caesars funeral oration, Antony used rhetoric techniques to manipulate and persuade the audience into believing the same ideas Antony believed in. The purpose behind his speech was to lead into rebellion; Antony achieves this by stepping down to the audience’s level, using theatrical actions, and raising the morale to rebel against conspirators in the audience by presenting Caesar’s will.
“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.
Who has a better speech and what makes that particular speech better? Brutus and Mark Antony two citizens of rome that oppose each other's doings. Brutus stating why he killed his loving friend Julius Caesar, Antony stating why the people of rome should turn on Brutus and the conspirators. Both men used three very important things in their speech to persuade the people of rome. First who used logos or logical statements the best out of the two. Next which of the two men used ethos or appeal to ethics the best. Last one of the biggest witch of the two used pathos or appeal to emotion the most or the best.
From the absolute power of ancient kings and medieval monarchs to the tyrannical dictators of today, political corruption has been a persistent aspect of governed societies since their emergence early in human existence. In the quest for power, individuals create furtive conspiracies to overthrow governments and destroy policies. The presence of political corruption and conspiracy in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is prominent, as Brutus and Mark Antony conduct opposing conspiracies in relation to corruption in the Roman government. Shakespeare depicts Antony’s emotional drive, ability to set aside honor, and capacity to use manipulative language as additive to the strength of his conspiracy. These qualities allow his conspiracy to undermine Brutus and, in doing so, emphasize Brutus’ flaws of uncertainty, excessive accentuation of honor, and naïveté.