Logos, Ethos And Pathos In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Brutus uses ethos in scene 2 of act 3. He makes the citizens believe he is a good character. He says "If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his." Antony uses ethos by saying,"A plain man who loved Caesar."

“Character may almost be called the effective means of persuasion.” This was a quote written by Aristotle who also came up with the rhetorical principles. The rhetorical principles, also known as ethos, pathos, logos, is used as the key in effective persuasion. In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Cassius persuades Brutus original view on Caesar by using ethos, pathos, logos.

In the play, Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, all the Roman people wanted for Caesar to

Collin Raye states that, “logic could never convince the heart.” Shakespeare reveals how emotions affect other’s decisions in Julius Caesar by integrating rhetorical devices in both Brutus and Antony's funeral oratories for Caesar. Shakespeare applies logos, ethos, and particularly pathos throughout both of the funeral speeches. Evidence of the power of pathos shows throughout Antony’s funeral speech, leading the people of Rome to his side, against the conspirators. Through the use of pathos, Antony's speech proves more persuasive that Brutus’s due to the fact that the passion of the heart overpowers the logic of the mind.

Using the rhetorical strategy of Pathos, Antony says, “You did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?” By saying this, Antony reminds the commoners of their love for Caesar, and uses not just Pathos, but also inductive reasoning to help stir their emotions. Brutus’s use of Pathos was good, but not as effective. Brutus says, “ . . . Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his.” It may have appealed to their emotion of love, but Brutus didn’t stir the Commoners’ love for Caesar as well as Antony did.

In Julius Caesar by Shakespeare there are three persuasions, these persuasions are called logos, ethos, and pathos. Logos, pathos, and ethos are three utensils used by Shakespeare in Caesar’s funeral presented by Mark Antony. Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker, Logos is appeal based on logic or reason and Pathos is appeal based on emotion (Examples). Antony uses these three utensils to turn the Roman crowd of citizens against the conspirators with an exciting persuasive speech. What does logos mean?

In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, logos, pathos, and ethos were all portrayed, but which one is the most powerful? Although logos, ethos, and pathos are all rhetorical appeals, they are dissimilar. Logos is based on evidence, pathos is based on the audience’s interests, and ethos is based on who the person is. The most powerful rhetorical appeal has to be pathos because of how easily the audience is influenced by it.

Antony uses logic to perways the crowd of Romans because he has more proof than Brutus does about Caesar's intentions. “He hath brought many captives home to Rome whose random general coffers fill” this was about how Caesar brought many wanted men back to Rome where they shall be put to trial. He used this example to prove that Caesar was helping Rome. “I have done more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus” this was Brutus saying that he had done what needed to be done and what they do to him is up to them now. It was a good thing to say to calm the Romans but it will have no effect after they realize the magnitude of the act he committed.

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Caesar becomes king and is killed for his ways. After the death of Caesar, Brutus and Antony both speak on his death in front of all of Rome. The speeches given by both Brutus and Antony are very persuasive to the audience that they are given to. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are used in different ways in order for each to have an effect on the people of Rome. In Brutus’s speech, he uses Logos to convince the Romans that he and the conspirators did a good deed by killing Caesar. He stated in his speech that “Had you rather Caesar we're living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” To me that shows him giving proof to the people of Rome, naturally saying it's good he died, now we can be free.

Throughout the play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses a variety of rhetorical strategies to articulate the points of many characters. More explicitly the use of different rhetorical strategies can be seen after the death of Caesar. Preceding Caesar's death speeches were given by Mark Antony and Brutus. In these speeches Brutus tried to justify Ceaser death with vague answers, while Mark Antony came to the support of Caesar and questioned why he really had to die. Brutus and Mark Antony's use of logos, pathos and ethos, allowed them both to give effective speeches. Although Brutus gave a strong speech, Mark Antony exceptional use of pathos and ethos provided him a slight edge over Brutus.

Brutus used repetition the most to influence the crowd. He states about Caesar’s “tears, love, and ambition.” Brutus also asked the audience rhetorical questions that they could not answer, and he would take their silence as if they were agreeing when in reality they were probably too scared to answer. Antony also used repetition to sway the crowd. He often pointed out that “Brutus was an honorable man” and he said it with more and more sarcasm each time. Antony also took advantage of the crowd and used reverse psychology on them. He used Caesar’s will as a tool to accomplish this. He told the crowd about Caesar’s will, telling them that they would think twice if they heard what was in the will, but he doesn’t read it to them. That made them beg for him to read it to them. Not only does this get them to do what he wants, it also give the crowd a false sense of authority over Antony. Also, he asks the crowd if he can come down and join them, saying they give him permission, again giving them that sense of authority. Antony, in addition to the will, used Caesar’s body as a prop in his speech. He created a sympathetic attitude towards Caesar. The other pathos appeal Antony used was the contrast that he showed between the beginning and end of his speech. He opened, saying he was only to “bury Caesar, not to praise him” yet towards the end he had accomplished his goal in making the crowd feel sorry for Caesar and wanting to

He used logos by saying if Caesar did get this power, it would go to his head and he would be a bad person. At first they saw the murder as very drastic. He also uses Ethos by saying that he loved the city of Rome and wanted the best for everyone. He fortified his reasoning by saying he killed his friend for the better of Rome. Antony

Antony uses an abundance of pathos in his speech. One example is: “Caesar was my friend and just to me” (III, ii, 86). Using pathos helps the audience make connections with him. He also reads Caesar’s will which makes the people feel guilty about turning against Caesar during Brutus’ speech. He shows them the stabs wounds on Caesar’s coat and names which conspirator stabbed him. The Roman people now feel pity and anger towards the conspirators. Overall, Antony was smart with his words and won over the Roman people better than

William Shakespeare’s use of Pathos in Mark Antony’s speech is clearly evident. In order to understand the concept and idea of Pathos, and for it to be effective, one must know what it is. The appeal of Pathos uses words or passages to activate emotions, and strike some sort of feeling in the audience’s body. If written effectively, the appeal of Pathos emits an emotional response from the audience. “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me” (3.2.106-107). Antony elicits both sadness and sympathy from his audience. The death of Julius Caesar, and the use of Pathos is very important in winning over the audience’s appeal. Antony is obviously very angry with what had happened to Julius Caesar, due to the fact that Antony was a good friend with him. “And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would

“Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come back to me," was an example of Pathos. After this line, he begins to weep, showing how Caesar’s death impacted him greatly. Showing grief for his dear friend may strike the hearts of the Romans and cause them to mourn for Caesar. Another example of Pathos is "When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.