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Crystal Duong
Ms. Dadabhoy
CP English 2
29 April 2013

The Elements of Persuasion

In the play Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare one can see the power of
words and the difference between manipulation and persuasion. By looking at the two orations,
they both use Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in order to convey the crowds. However, one speech is a
success, while the other is a failure. Although, Brutus persuades the citizens it was right for
killing Caesar, ultimately Mark Antony demonstrates in his speech, how the conspirators are
faulty and manipulates the crowd to take action.
Manipulations and persuasions are the same and different in some ways. The person that
uses manipulation in his speech is Mark Antony. Since he went right after Brutus, he gets a
chance to contradict his speech and sarcastically says, But Brutus says he was ambitious, And
Brutus is an honorable man(3.2.85-86). Mark Antony uses his words carefully and hides his true
purposes. He calls the conspirators honorable man in such a sarcastic manner that makes the
crowd influenced. Furthermore, an example of manipulation is when he mentions the will, Here
is the will, and under Caesars seal. (3.2.239). The will is Antonys secret weapon and he uses it
to prove to the citizens that Caesar love his people and wasnt ambitious. He talks about the will
to make the citizens go crazy and interested in wanting to know more about it. Overall, he does a
great job in manipulating the citizens to accomplish what he wants them to do.
On the other hand, Brutus speaks first to the crowd and calms them down with his
persuasive words. He convinces them that Caesar needs to die for the good of Rome and says,

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"Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. " (3.2.21-22). Brutus explains how he
kills Caesar because his love for his country is more powerful than his own friend. Therefore,
Brutus uses Caesar as bait, by saying he is a future threat to Rome. In this quote, he also uses his
honor to make people think of him as a worthy guy, believe me for mine honour, and have
respect to mine honour....(3.2.14-15). He uses his honor for the people to must believe in him.
He also uses props such as, his bloody hands and dagger to prove that he has a legitimate reason
in killing Caesar. Ultimately, his persuasion to the crowd was nothing compared to Antonys
manipulation.
Mark Antonys success were determined by his use of words that has double meanings.
His figurative language and manipulation lets him win over the crowd. Therefore, he uses logic
by saying, You all did love him once, not without cause, What cause withholds you then, to
mourn for him? (3.2.103-104). He is trying to prove his point that the citizens did love him once
and what made them change their mind that Caesar was ambitious. He uses logical and
emotional manipulation to win over the crowd, in going against the conspirators. Also, Mark
Antony uses pathos by revealing his feelings, When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath
wept:. (3.2.91). Caesar cared about his people and would even cry for the poor. He loved the
citizens of Rome and thought of them as his own children. In the end, Antonys skillful use of
ethos, pathos, and logos surpasses Brutus, in which he fails to understand.
Both speeches are a success at first, but in the end theres only one winner. Brutus ends
up failing because he speaks first, while Antony had the last words. Mark Antony listens to
Brutus speech carefully and then he contradicts what Brutus was trying to prove to the crowd.
His short length in his speech can also determine his failure. Meanwhile, Antony had a lot more
strategies that made him won over the crowd. For example, Brutus thought he understands the

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crowd but it was the exact opposite. On the other hand, Antony knows fully well of the crowd
and how they are easily to manipulate. Thats why he manipulates the citizens by using Caesars
corpse, Show you sweet Caesars wounds.... (3.2.225). This makes the crowd go insane and
wanting to turn against the conspirators. In which later on, Antony successfully accomplish.
Also,when he persuades the citizens that it was his honor to kill Caesar is ironic, when he is
questioning his own honor as well. At the end of his speech, he seems to threaten anyone who
does not believe him, If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not
be a Roman? (3.2.30-31). This is a dangerous move to make in front of the citizens. Which is
another reason why he ultimately fails. Eventually, Brutus is the one that fails to justify the
killing of Caesar.
Overall, Mark Antony takes the win for the day and manipulates the crowd to kill all of
the conspirators. Brutus lacks of literary devices and strategies determines his results as a
failure, while Antony is successful. Although, both speeches used ethos, pathos and logos, in
order to persuade the crowd. However, Brutus persuades the citizens and sways them first,
ultimately Mark Antony manipulates the crowd to take action and wins them entirely.

Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Prentice Hall Literature;Timeless Voices,
Timeless theme. Ed. Diane Capillo. New jersey: Prentice Hall,1999. 712-801. Print.

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