A Powerful Weapon: Words that Persuade in Shakespeare´s The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar

Brutus is shown as being easily manipulated in the play. This trait is shown a few times in the play. At the beginning, Brutus is tricked by Cassius into believing that killing Julius Caesar would be for the better of Rome (1, 2, ll. 32-321). Cassius is able to deviously influence Brutus into thinking that Caesar is no different from Brutus. He says, “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that Caesar?/ Why should that name be

In the play Julius Caesar written by the whimsical, sophisticated William Shakespeare both beloved Brutus and noble Antony deliver their most thorough attempts to win over the delicate citizens of Rome into what they believed was correct. Brutus gave it a valiant effort in trying to convince the citizens that murdering the noble Caesar was the best thing to do for the people. In the end Brutus’ effort was not enough because Antony was able to turn every Roman against Brutus and the other deceitful conspirators during his speech with his extraordinary use of logos, pathos, and ethos.

Brutus is an honorable man in this play but when Cassius, one of the main characters, and antagonists from the play, points out to Brutus why he

Cassius flatters Brutus by saying that “[he] know[s] that virtue to be in ... Brutus,/ As well as [he does] know [his] outward favor”(Act.I.ii.97-98). Brutus is so immensely honorable that you can literally see it. Cassius lays down this foundation knowing that Brutus would want to cling to this fact. Subconsciously, he won’t go against what he was praised for since it had a positive effect on him and accentuated his feelings about his honor and pride. This pours into guilt, showing that if Brutus doesn’t join this Conspiracy, then he will lose his dignity and

Do you ever think of something another person has said to you, even though it is years after it has been said? Words usually have a tendency to hang over someone for many years. The words we speak every day can bring peace in countries or it can start wars. Many politicians have to choose their words carefully because they don’t want to risk losing their positions in the governments of our countries. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare proves that words hold more power than weapons. Three main ways this statement was perceived was in Marc Antony’s funeral speech, Brutus’ funeral speech, and as the Soothsayer tells Caesar to be careful during the month of March.

Cassius and Brutus’ interactions in the early parts of the play solidify Cassius’ role as a foil, and also accentuate some

Brutus is honorable and practical, but his ethos fails to connect with the angry Roman mob. Logic is simply not enough to persuade the crowd, as proven by Antony’s pathetical appeal, with which he wins the crowd over. Antony connects to the audience by dismantling Brutus speech with logic, and then appealing to the audience through emotion and ration. Brutus’s speech is effective, however only until Antony speaks, as he uses emotion and reverence to guide the audience away from Brutus’s rationality. Antony recognizes the emotional fickleness human beings, and his power to easily persuade them. It is clear, proven by the effectiveness of Antony’s speech, that logic and ethics have greater validity in achieving their purpose, as the audience takes revenge upon the conspirators following Antony’s speech. Antony’s manipulation of specific rhetorical devices and appeals exemplifies the power of rhetoric and its ability to effectively persuade an

Julius Caesar is a play that revolves and is driven around the idea of persuasion. Antony and Brutus both used the same rhetorical devices to express their thoughts to the crowd. Both using ethos, which is an appeal to credibility; pathos, which is an appeal to the emotion of the audience; and logos, which is an appeal using logic. Brutus was able to persuade the crowd at first used logical appeals and reasons. As for Antony's speech, he abides by his agreement with Brutus not to slander the conspirators names and manages use the mob to turn against the conspirators using more of an ethos and pathos approach. Even though having the same structure, Antony speech was much more powerful than Brutus’. Shakespeare portrays persuasion

Through several rhetorical devices, Cassius manipulates Brutus by the use of allusion, logos and pathos to show how Caesar is

Plato, a famous Greek philosopher, once said, “Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.” This quote relates to Strong speakers and how their powerful words can change the minds of people. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, words play an important role in how two men persuade an audience after a murder was committed. Brutus and Antony are two senators in the Roman Republic. Brutus murders Caesar, and then addresses the public with a speech to give a satisfactory explanation for Caesar’s death. Antony, one of Caesar’s closest friends and advisors, knows the murder is unjust, and he gives a speech to persuade the audience that the murder was unjust. Though both Brutus and Antony have strong speeches, Antony is triumphant because Antony

Roman politician and popular figure in the Roman Republic, Mark Antony, uses the rhetorical devices of pathos, logos, and ethos in his funeral oration for Julius Caesar, in order to deem the assassination of Caesar by Cassius, Brutus, and their conspirators, wrong. The speech conducted by Mark Antony, a good friend of Caesar’s, has a sorrowful tone due to the fact that Mark Antony wants the crowds of Romans to agree with him. Antony conducts his speech in such a way to strike pity and regret in the assassinators and conspirators of Julius Caesar. Usage of pathos, ethos, and logos is essential in winning over the plebeians trust and respect.

And because of this, pride was his tragic flaw. Julius Caesar was idolized for his charisma and power by all of Rome, and this angered his associates, especially Cassius. Cassius talked shamefully about Caesar’s fame and glory to Brutus, and persuaded him to be against Caesar. He

In the exciting play, Julius Caesar, Shakespeare describes the intense emotion and tension of an event that changed the Roman empire forever. Julius Caesar, the main character, is brought up to two opposing arguments, one from his wife and the second from his colleague, he must decide whether or not it is a smart decision to go to the Senate House or not. Julius is tested by his two weaknesses: his ego and superstition. Conclusively Caesar decide to side with Decius,his colleague, and go to the Senate House. Decius’s argument is much stronger because he addresses Caesar as more than just a husband, but as a strong leader. Decius also states that Caesars political goals are much more important than the relationship with his wife.

“Even the noblest men can be seduced by power; it has the power to kill, to distort, and to corrupt” Through this passage, Matthew Sims captures in essence how individuals often turn to betrayal and deception in order to gain their heart’s desires. This characteristic is not only present in life, but can also be seen in modern and classical literature, including the well known work of Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the lust for power transcends any one individual and ultimately leads to death and corruption of not only Caesar, but also of Brutus and Cassius. The play begins with Caesar parading through the streets of Rome as he triumphs in his victory over Pompey. However, Brutus, Cassius, and many others hatch a plot to

The final years of the Roman Republic were a time plagued with political deception and secret alliances. Numerous political figures of the time employed deceptive tactics. Antony, with his ever present utilization of rhetoric, drove the Roman populace into a frenzy of rage aimed towards Brutus. And Decius, using his knowledge of Caesar’s vulnerability to flattery, turned him against his wife and lured him to his assassination. The intense struggle for political power yielded to no moral boundaries. In the midst of all of this chaos and evil, one man stands out above the rest. Cassius is the most manipulative character because he uses flattery, counterfeit letters, and alleged signs from the gods that he does not believe in to bend the other conspirators to his will.