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Julius Caesar Power Of Language

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The Power of Language Proved by Antony As Pearl Strachan Hurd states, “Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.”People often overlook the importance and impact that words and language can make. Throughout Julius Caesar there are many examples where words can make a big impact. In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the character Antony uses his skillful talent of rhetoric and language to manipulate others. Antony displays his power of language from the beginning of the book. Antony states,” I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,/Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,/ fulfill your pleasure. L e a thousand years,/ I shal not find myself so apt to die;/ No place will please me so, no mean of …show more content…

This was a very bad move by Brutus which is going to create a big problem. Antony’s speech at the funeral was jam-packed with rhetorical and literary devices which created a big divide in Rome. Antony starts of his speech with “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” (3.2.81). This word choice makes the Pomans feel like Antony is there friend and should trust what he says. This is an example of ethos because Antony is trying to convince the crowd that he is reliable. As Antony moves along with his speech he keeps repeat the phrases “Brutus is an honorable man” and did Caesar seem ambitious? By repeating these phrases over and over Antony starts to create doubt among the crowd if Brutus’ words can be trusted. Another rhetorical device that Antony uses is pathos. Pathos which is emotional appeal is shown in Antony's speech “ I thrice presented him a kingly crown,/Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?” (3.1.104-105) and “Methinks there is much reason in his sayings./ “If thou consider rightly of the matter,/Caesar has had great wrong.” (3.1.116-117). Antony is playing with the emotions of the plebeians by giving counterexamples for what Brutus said and making them double think if what Brutus said is true. Antony carefully structured his speech in a way that slowly makes the plebeians change their opinion without them even realizing. Antony’s funeral speech creates great chaos among the city of Rome which will leads to the civil

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