Examples Of Manipulation In Julius Caesar

In the play Julius Caesar, manipulation is a key theme which influences events and the outcome of the story. Shakespeare uses literary elements, such as rhetorical devices and foreshadowing, in his writing to sway the opinions of opposing characters and effect oncoming events. Throughout Julius Caesar, Brutus, the Roman people, and Caesar himself were all easily manipulated by neighboring characters. Cassius, a member of the senate who possessed an envious attitude towards Caesar, had created a plan to strip Caesar of his power. He persuaded the other members of the senate to believe Caesar was an ambitious tyrant who held too much power over Rome. Brutus, however, had first declined Cassius’ proposal of assassinating Caesar, remaining loyal to his morals and his leader. Due to his opposition, Cassius develped another plan to manipulate Brutus by throwing forged letters into his window, expressing the plebians fear that Caesar would demolish the Roman Empire and tarnish the reputation of previous Roman leaders. Upon reading these letters, Brutus felt …show more content…

Shakespeare used multiple literary devices as influential characters altered the plebeians mindsets. After Caesar’s assassination and Brutus’s speech, the crowd was compelled by Antony’s testimony due to his use of rhetorical devices. Antony specialized in pathos to make the audience feel his pain, thus getting them emotionally involved which made them an easy target for manipulation as well. He also applies anecdote by informing the plebeians of the summer night in which he initially spotted Caesar wearing the cloak, which now shields Caesar’s dead, motionless body from the Roman people. This persuasive technique reveals Antony’s devotion and respect towards Caesar. Antony is able to manipulate the Roman citizens and turn them against Brutus and the conspirators by using strong emotional