Rhetoric and Power

the art of words

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 what is rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the study and art of
writing and speaking well, being
persuasive, and knowing how to
compose successful writing and
presentations.
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 Julius Caesar: A Play About Rhetoric
The overall theme of Julius Caesar is debatable, but what seems to be most
evident is the idea that people are easily swayed by effective rhetoric; thus,
they can be changed into a dangerous crowd.
Perhaps Julius Caesar's most famous and important scene is Act III, Scene 2,
in which both Brutus and Antony do give important speeches.
Both speeches are examples of rhetoric, as the speakers try to use their
words to make the crowd agree with their point of view.
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 Brutus’ speech
Brutus refers to Caesar as a serpent’s
egg, noting that when the serpent is
Brutus was able to calm the crowd in a
still in the shell it poses no threat, but
variety of ways, the most effective
when hatched it is very dangerous (II, i,
being his usage of rhetorical
33-35). Eliciting emotion with the
questions: “Had you rather Caesar
negative connotation associated with
were living and die all slaves, than that
a dangerous serpent, Brutus
Caesar were dead, to live all
convincingly utilizes pathos. He also
freemen?” (JC. 3.2.24-26).
uses ethics by knowing how Caesar will
react when he becomes a serpent.
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 Mark Antony’s speech
Antony uses repetition; He repeats the
words "Brutus is an honorable man". The
statement, however, was really being said
with a sarcastic tone. Brutus is really not an
honorable man. The word honorable
becomes a bad word by the end of his
speech.
Another use of repetition and rhythm would
be him describing Caesar as ambitious. He
also turns the mean of ambitious around. In
this case, however, he turns it from bad to
good. His repetitive use of the statement
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kept a rhythm to his speech. He also used
rhetorical questions.
Antony also uses metaphors throughout his
speech to sway the opinions of the
plebeians: “My heart is in the coffin there
with Caesar” (JC. 3.2.116) ,this call to their
emotions is another tool. Another thing he
did to sway the plebeians was to level
himself with them by calling them friends:
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me
your ears.” (JC. 3.2.82). Antony’s familiarity
with the crowd is definitely something that
contributed to the crowd turning against
Brutus.
 Mark Antony’s speech
He starts out with a bit of pathos in the first line
by say “...Caesar might / Have stood against the
world. Now lies he there,/And none so poor to do
him reverence” (III.ii.115-117).
Antony uses sarcasm when he speaks of Brutus,
that Brutus was “Caesar's angel”. He uses logos
for Caesar’s feelings toward Brutus, “how dearly
Caesar loved him!”.
During the last part of Antony’s speech he
reverts back to mainly using his sarcasm and
passive aggression, saying “let me not stir you
up” and “They that have done this deed are
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honorable”. Of course, he does not mean this.

 More Rhetoric in Julius Caesar

Cassius Brutus Anthony

Cassius, when In the Forum, Brutus Antony likewise wins
manipulating brutus, speaks to the crowd the crowd’s favor,
uses rhetoric and appeals to its using persuasive
indirectly. love of liberty in order rhetoric to whip the
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to justify the killing of masses into a frenzy.

Caesar.
 Men at some time are masters of their
fates;
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
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-Cassius, Act 1, Scene 2.

 Thank You!
by benedetta & sara!!!
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