Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

Shakespeare compromises the use of rhetorical questions into Cassius’ words to further sway his audience. “Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great?”(I.ii.58-59). Cassius signals that Caesar and Brutus have grown up to be valuable and honorable men, equally gifted to rule a republic. Shakespeare incorporated the use of a rhetorical question, as it empowered the belief of equality between Brutus and Caesar. Both sharing the same knowledge and capability but obtaining different

Izabella Figueroa Mrs. Linda Comm Honors English 10 12 April 2023 Antony’s preeminent strategy A rhetorical device, according to www.vocabulary.com, is “a use of language that is intended to have an effect on it’s audience.” In Antony’s persuasive speech to the citizens of Rome, from “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” Antony utilizes the rhetorical devices of logos, pathos, and ethos to argue that Caesar wasn’t really ambitious, and there was no need for him to be murdered by the conspirators. Doing so forces the audience to consider his claim and change their previous viewpoints.

By using rhetoric and specific rhetorical devices, Brutus is able to convince the already easily influenced

In Cassius’s speech to his brother he uses the method Ethos and establishes credibility and appeals to ethics or morals. One of the ways he does this is by saying that “[their] fathers say There was a Brutus once who would have brook’d The eternal devil” (Shakespeare 20-21). This shows that wiser people before them said that Brutus was strong and therefore, lends a hand towards Cassius’s argument that he should take action. Also by stating “I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor Did from the flames of troy upon his shoulder… Did I the tired Caesar” (Shakespeare 20-21).

Rhetorical Strategies in Shakespeare's, “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Marc Antony’s funeral speech was the turning point of The tragedy of Julius Caesar. Due to the know closeness of Antony to Caesar he was the one chosen to speak. Throughout Marc Antony’s funeral speech there are several cases where he uses the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the crowd to turn against the conspirators. The target audience for Antony’s speech in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is those who chose to attend his funeral.

all the rest of the acted out of jealousy of great caesar. only he acted from honest and for the general good. his life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that nature might stand up and say to the world, this was a man." cassius on the other hand, has a lean and hungry look, a hunger for power. his defense of the republic is motivated to a degree, in which he and other members of the senate would have more power under a monarch, than they would have under caesar as emperor.

The reader can perceive that Cassius provides examples that allude to this, in which he mentions that he had to save Caesar when he was drowning, and the time in which he was sick in Spain. He characterizes Caesar as a weak and unfit man for the position as a ruler that holds all the power in Rome. As Act 1 Scene 2 comes to an end, Cassius delivers one of the most significant points in the final part of his speech, as he brings about the notion that Brutus stands for honor and embarking on any action for the good of Rome. Cassius delivers an emotional appeal, of pathos, in tracing back to Brutus’s ancestors that helped establish the structure of the Roman Republic. As he mentions the roots of Rome, he proclaims “Oh, you and I have heard our fathers say.

The audience learns Cassius is a leader and does not believe any of his equals have the right to be above to him. It is apparent Cassius declares Caesar as his equal when he states, (1.2 99-101) “ I was born as free as Caesar, so were you. / We both have fed as well, and we can both / Endure the winter’s cold as well as he”.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar was written about four hundred years ago. This story demonstrates the corruption of Roman government in 44 BC. Rhetoric and theatrics are the main tools that current politicians, and ancient politicians use to gain popularity, commandeer power, and make crucial relationships. Important Roman political figures such as Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and Caesar along with present-day politicians use these rhetorical methods to accomplish their goals. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare demonstrates how rhetoric and theatrics largely affect politics and political relationships.

In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Cassius is a foil to Marcus Brutus, for Brutus is consistently described as honorable and kind, contrasting the always clever and self-centered, Cassius. Cassius acts as a character who goes against the virtues and weaknesses of the main character. Brutus announces, “Why man, he doth bestride the narrow World like a Colossus, and we pretty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves” (Shakespeare I. 2. 142-145). By appealing to Brutus' feeling of honor and loyalty to Rome, Cassius hopes to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar.

Ethos is seen in this proclamation because Cassius is convincing Brutus that both him and Cassius have gone through the same hardships that Caesar has gone through. This makes both Cassius and Brutus credible for the leadership position which Caesar has. Moreover, Cassius addresses pathos when he remiences about the time when he had to save Caesar at Timber River; The torrent roared, and we did buffet it with lusty sinews, throwing it aside and stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”. Through this specific part of Cassius’s speech, he was able to present many different emotions: Caesar was fearful, and Cassius was angry because Caesar was suppose to be his fearless leader that was not scared of anything.

This statement demonstrates how Cassius is pleasing Brutus to give the impression that he is a superior leader to Caesar. Cassius is attempting to persuade Brutus to join a plot against Caesar. He reminds Brutus that Caesar is simply a human with typical human flaws just like them, and he says that he prefers to die than see such a person become his ruler. He reminds Brutus of his noble lineage and the hopes of his Roman friends that he will continue the nation's ideals as his forefathers did.

All human beings are subjected to the flaw of submitting to their emotions, as seen in the characters Brutus and Cassius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Brutus and Cassius are prime examples of how emotions can have overwhelming effects on the judgment of humans, no matter how strong or logical they may seem to themselves or others. Ultimately, these characters were forced to surrender under these emotions leading to the characters internal conflict and their downfall. Cassius and Brutus are prominent characters in the play and are known for their expertise in politics and warfare. Cassius is a skilled politician and military leader who becomes the driving force behind the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar.

Cassius saves the life of Caesar, sees him beg for water, and witnesses his epileptic seizure. From these weaknesses, Cassius finds himself to be just as worthy of the crown as is Caesar. His reasons are emotionally tied to getting rid of Caesar, Brutus chooses to become a conspirator for the good of Rome. He does not know how Caesar will use his power.

In Act 1 scene 2 Cassius said to Brutus “ I was born free as Caesar. So were you.” Here we can see that Cassius challenges Caesar's worth, as he believes Caesar is no more worthy than himself but how is he worthy enough to become the ruler of Rome when they were born equal. Cassius has also revealed his belief that one must be honorable and worthy of ruling Rome to have such a position, Cassius believes Caesar does not possess any of those