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Characters in julius caesar shakespeare
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Think if all of the sudden someone that you followed and respected died. It would be a tragedy for you. Now think if this was a well respected ruler of an empire. The book Julius Caesar shows an occurrence like this. Caesar is killed and it leads to two important speeches in the book. I’m talking about Brutus and Antony’s speeches. They both try to sway the crowd by using characteristics like Ethos, Pathos, or Logos in their speeches. Here are ways that Brutus and Antony try to sway the crowd. One of the characteristics Brutus and Antony use in their speeches is Ethos. They both give points that have credibility or believability. Brutus, for example, spoke in prose instead of blank verse. He did this to show them that he is one of them and not some high ruler trying to take power. He also uses his reputation to try to get them to listen and believe him. On the other hand, Antony speaks in blank verse instead of prose. He did this to show his authority to the crowd. He spoke that way to show his significance to the crowd and to get their attention. Another thing that he …show more content…
They both used logic and facts to get the crowd to forgive them or join them. In Brutus’ speech he says that Caesar had to die because he was ambitious, well Antony uses this to help him in his speech. He gives four great reason why Caesar was not ambitious. One of those reasons way that he was a war hero who brought back captives for ransom and that benefited Rome. Another example that Antony gave is that Caesar cried for the poor. This showed that he cared for everyone, even the poor. Brutus also uses Logos in his speech but in a different way. He gives the example that if they let Caesar be the ruler he would just keep gaining power and everyone would become a slave. He says that if he and the others didn’t kill him that the great Roman Empire would fall under his power. That is how Brutus and Antony use Logos in their
In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus is a skillful orator who makes use of rhetorical devices to convey his points. In his speech made after the death of Caesar, Brutus uses devices such as ethos, parallelism, and rhetorical questions to persuade the people to his way of thinking. Ethos is when a speaker gives an example of credibility in order to appeal to the listener’s ethics. When Brutus asks the people to “believe me for mine honor, and have respect for mine honor” (3.2.14-15), he is using ethos to appeal to their morals in order to make them consider his opinions. The use of ethos exhibits Brutus’ need for the people to approve of him, and by extension, the assassination of Caesar. Later, Brutus utilizes parallelism
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
In the end, the characters of Julius Caesar all have more complicated relationships with honor than they appear at first glance. Brutus, while well intentioned and seemingly honorable, cannot see the line that separates honor from murder, Cassius who appears dishonorable in every way aims, at least in part, to protect rome and its people and Portia who appears dedicated loyal and honorable, commits suicide and believes the lies she is told about her self, beneath the surface of these characters, lies complex motives and twisted logic, which makes singling them out as honorable or dishonorable, nearly impossible, as they are very human, and humans are rarely one or the
Brutus vs Antony The most predominate and important aspect in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare are the speeches given to the Roman citizens by Brutus and Antony, the two main characters, following the death of Caesar. Brutus and Antony both spoke to the crowd, using the same rhetorical devices to express their thoughts. Both speakers used the three classical appeals employed in the speeches: ethos, which is an appeal to credibility; pathos, which is an appeal to the emotion of the audience; and logos, which is an appeal to the content and arrangement of the argument itself. Even though both speeches have the same structure, Antony’s speech is significantly more effective than Brutus’s. Both speakers used an ethical appeal to the crowd and established their credibility.
As a final point, Antony and Brutus both spoke at Caesar’s funeral to prove their reasoning’s to the people. Antony’s speech turned out to be the more effective one because he manipulates the words ambitious and honorable to contradict Brutus, he uses props to provide substantial evidence to the people, and his speech was more effective because it essentially persuaded the people to be on his side whereas Brutus did not convince the people of anything.
Imagine yourself listening to a political debate, undecided as to which leader you agree with. One candidate begins to speak about unjust societal issues, such as the horrifying amount of people in the world that do not have food on their table. The candidate also begins to touch upon the topic of taxes and how he will lower them if he is elected. You find yourself being persuaded in the direction of emotions and morals. The power of language used to appeal others is not only present in the modern world, but also in the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by famous English playwright William Shakespeare. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar portrayed a story of how an aspiring leader, Julius Caesar, is assassinated by a group of schemers, lead by Marcus Brutus, who disagreed with Caesar’s decrees and ways of governing. Over the course of the text, it demonstrated the use of two rhetorical charms: ethos and pathos. While ethos refers to the moral and ethical appeal and pathos invokes to the emotional aspect, each one was evidently shown in the funeral speech for Caesar given by his best friend, Mark Antony. Prior to Antony’s speech, Brutus had given the plebeians a synopsis of what had occurred. However, Mark Antony knew that what Brutus had told the plebeians was false. In such manner, he allured the plebeians onto his side of the tragedy by touching upon ethical and emotional appeals.
Anyhow, speeches that came 300 years earlier than Churchill’s weren’t very different. Even ones that were in books, one of the most famous, the speech made by Brutus in the book “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, wasn’t far deviant in the use of ethos, logos and pathos. Almost matching with Churchill, Brutus begins by developing his credibility with ethos. “Believe me, for mine honour” (Line 3-4), quoted Brutus, in an attempt to initially prove himself worthy of listening to what he had to say. Even just this single ethos was a desideratum because he was blameworthy for the assassination of Caesar, which the people of Rome cherished.
However, Antony’s small amount of logos is just as strong, if not stronger than Brutus’s excessive amount. While in the first of calming the crowd, Brutus inquires, “Would you rather Caesar live and die all slaves, / than that Caesar were dead and die all free men?” (JC 3.2.23-24). This is a botched logic; he does not ever present actual evidence of this tyrannical behavior in Caesar or his actions. However, in the minds of the king-fearing Romans, the words, flimsy though they are, are enough. In disproving Brutus’s claims that Caesar was ambitious, Antony uses many examples to prove the opposite. The following brings the welfare of the people into it, showing that with Caesar alive they were given much: “He hath brought many captives home to Rome, / whose ransoms did the general coffers fill; / did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (JC 3.2.89-91). Antony provides solid evidence and a sound argument to explain that Caesar’s seemingly ambitious actions were rather to help the people of Rome, which is not ambitious in the
...ns. This made Antony's speech more effective in the fact that he used detailed reasoning for why Caesar was not ambitious. This was why the people came to his favor in the end. The tones and rhetorical devices they used helped to capture their audience by appealing to their emotions and helping to move the views of Antony and Brutus's views across to their listeners. Comparing effectiveness and ineffectiveness of both speeches was important in determining which way the people would be swayed.
Depending on the cause and how they speak is how an audience will react. The ending can make or break how it went, you always want to leave the crowd with your main point or something to get across to them. Brutus mentions Antony “Do grace Caesar’s corpse and grace his speech”(3.2.62-63), this leaves people in anticipation of Mark Antony’s speech and to give him respect and time. Agnes Heller says “Brutus is not a man without passions...such as friendship, courage, magnanimity, temperance, and justice.”(Heller) this can show that Brutus does not know any better than to tell the people about Mark Antony and support him because he is too kind hearted to purposely not give Antony a chance to speak. Mark Antony however ends his speech with pathos and emotion, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar”(3.2.108) which makes the crowd sympathize for him. Also Antony makes sure to include a dramatic pause for his speech to sink in and for effect, this causes the people to go out into a riot. Antony got the reaction he was looking for by angering the Romans, seeing that Caesar is dead without good cause. In the article “The Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar” Paolucci says that “Marc Antony will be the key figure in the determination of the fate of Rome and of the conspirators/liberators.”(Paolucci). In the play Antony does become a key factor in their fate, this speech is part of it because he quickly turns the Roman citizens against them. The kind of reputation that you have in a community can also have a huge part in making people listen to you. Brutus was known as the nobleman throughout Rome that people would often listen to and trust. Mark Antony was known as Caesar’s loyal friend but also did not have to bad of a reputation in Rome, maybe not as good as Brutus but it was not bad. “Here comes his body mourned by Antony”(Shakespeare, 3.2.42) shows empathy to Mark Antony and makes the audience start focusing on Antony instead of himself and
Antony asks rhetorical questions and lets the audience answer for themselves. Brutus uses ethos by stating that he a noble man and that is why the people should believe him but infact Antony questions his nobility by saying what Brutus said,” Brutus is an honourable man”(III.ii.79). In a way, Antony states what Brutus states to convince the audience by using examples that Brutus is wrong. Antony himself knows what kind of man Brutus is but lets the people figure it out on their own. In addition, Brutus uses logos by expressing that fact that Caesar died because of his ambition. This argument is severely under supported because his reasons are invalid and simply observations. Antony uses “did this in Caesar seem ambitious” to question Brutus’ argument (III.ii.82). Antony gives examples backing his argument like when Caesar refused the crown thrice to prove his humbleness. The way Antony convinces the people to rebel is by using pathos. He brings the audience in by stepping down to their level and showing them the body of Caesar. While Antony talks at Caesar's funeral, he pauses because” heart us in the coffin there with Caesar “(III.ii.98). When Antony becomes emotional, he reminds the audience about what injust event happened to the much loved
Because Antony ingeniously uses a plethora of logical, emotional, and credible arguments, he outshines Brutus’s speech, which lacks in verifiable evidence. Antony also seizes the power of rhetorical devices in a more effective way than Brutus to convey his message. This battle between their speeches reflects in the outcome of their war, showing the superiority of Antony’s persuasive ability. While Brutus may have been an “honorable man,” it was Antony that proved to be the more effective one.
Brutus thinks that he can become ruler of Rome but Antony doesn’t think he is wise enough to become the ruler. Brutus says in his speech, "Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe." Brutus is trying to win the people of Rome over by saying he is honorable. In Antony's speech, he said, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears." Antony is making himself seem really smart and getting their attention so that all they will do is truly believe him and pay very close attention. Antony also says, "And sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke." By saying that, it proves right there that he was talking bad about Brutus.
Antony was able to have a good connection with the audience, making his speech superior to Brutus’. Having an ethical connection with the audience is important because it lets the people know who they can trust and feel comfortable around. Antony tries to get the Romans to feel important “For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men” (3.2.10-11). Not only does he call Brutus honourable, but he says everyone else is as well, making them all feel comfortable and trustful with Antony. During Brutus’ speech, he does not use as much ethics as Antony, “Believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe” (3.2.3-5). Brutus makes no attempt to compliment and appeal to the people. Instead he just
The speech made by Marcus Antonius, called Antony, in Act Three, Scene Two of Julius Caesar shows that despite being considered a sportsman above all else, he is highly skilled with the art of oratory as well. In the play by William Shakespeare, this speech is made at the funeral of Caesar after he is killed by Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus claimed earlier, in his own funeral speech, that the killing of Caesar was justified. He felt that Caesar was a threat, and too ambitious to be allowed as ruler. Much of this sentiment, however, was developed by the treacherous Cassius. Antony, on the other hand, felt that the conspirators were traitors to Rome and should be dealt with. This speech used a variety of methods to gradually bring the crowd to his side, yet maintain his side of the deal with Brutus. This deal was that he, “shall not in your funeral speech blame us...” (3.1.245) for the death of Caesar. Antony holds his end of the deal for the majority of the speech, yet by doing so convinces the crowd of Brutus' and the others' disloyalty. In many ways, this speech can be seen as the ultimate rhetoric, and it includes all three of Aristotle's methods of persuasion. This are the appeal to credibility, called ethos, the appeal to emotions, called pathos, and the appeal to logic, called logos. All three of these devices are used to great effect during the speech of Marcus Antonius.