Examples Of Manipulation In Julius Caesar

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In the tragedy Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, characters are shown to use manipulation in order to achieve their goals in Julius Caesar. Manipulation is used by characters to gain power and change the opinions of not only the nobles, but the commoners as well. The use of manipulation in the play serves as a reminder of how words and tone of voice have the ability to influence others’ opinions and ultimately influence society. In Julius Caesar, characters such as Mark Antony, Cassius, and Brutus use strategies including lies, speech, and deception to manipulate others and even themselves in the play. In Julius Caesar, during Mark Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral, he uses rhetorical devices to appeal to the people of Rome and turn them …show more content…

Cassius uses manipulation in order to get Brutus to join the conspiracy and turn him against Caesar. First off, Cassius tells a story about Caesar and how he cried “Help me, Cassius or I sink!” (1.2.118). In this story, Caesar and Cassius challenge each other by trying to swim across rough waters. Cassius tries to convince Brutus that Caesar is not worthy of a crown by telling this story because the story shows how Caesar is weak and undeserving to be the ruler of Rome. Similarly, Cassius tells another story about Caesar and how “He had a fever when he was in spain and cried as a sick girl” (1.2.126-134). Cassius is again trying to convince Brutus that Caesar is weak but uses tone of voice to manipulate him. By comparing Caesar to a sick girl, Cassius is able to emphasize how weak he thinks Caesar really is. In addition, Cassius plans to urge Brutus to lead Rome and join the conspiracy against Caesar by throwing letters at Brutus’ window (1.2.328-331). Inside the letters are what seem to be the Roman citizens’ opinions about Caesar. Similar to Antony, Cassius uses words to get his way. However, instead of manipulating the Romans, Cassius focuses on manipulating Brutus in order to get him to lead Rome and the conspiracy against Julius

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