In Act III Scene II of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare composes essentially a war in rhetoric between the characters of Brutus and Mark Antony. Although for different purposes, both speeches given by Brutus and Mark Antony, pertaining to Caesar’s murder, contain poignant and skilled rhetoric in order to win over the citizens of Rome. Brutus bases his speech upon the appeal of ethos, being straight forward and honest with his audience, defending his ethical foundation. On the other hand, Antony’s speech is based upon the appeal of pathos and logos, delivering strong emotional and logical examples to support his argument, as well as dramatic effects with his use of striking pauses and props. Both orators use many combinations of rhetorical devices from Isocolon and Chiasmus to logical fallacies such as Ad Hominem, in order to influence the citizens of Rome into agreeing with their opinion of Caesar’s death.
Here is Caesar and all the line of Iulus soon to venture under the sky’s great arch. Here is the man, he’s here! Time and again you’ve heard his coming promised-Caesar Augustus! Son of a god, he will bring back the Age of Gold to the Latian fields where Saturn once held sway, expand his empire past the Garamants and the Indians…”(Fagles, 208). Virgil’s writings serve as a tool that Augustus can use to speak to the public.
Though to understand, we must first know the character of the person being persuaded while evaluating this strategy as it’s by nature a very personal oriented sort of persuasion. So Brutus, the one being persuaded, is a by the book, live for nobility, die for honor type of a Roman--and everyone in Rome knows it. Oh, but you don’t believe me? Well just take a look at what Brutus says in line 88-89 of Act 1, scene II and I’m sure you will: “88For let the gods so speed me as I love 89The name of honor more than I fear death.” This is fantastic! For we now know who Brutus is!
Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in Julius Caesar Brutus and Antony both use emotional appeal, a self image, and logic to extract pity and anger among the audience in their speeches, however Antony spoke 2nd, allowing him to easily counter Brutus’ arguments with logic, logos. Brutus, an honorable, loyal citizen of Rome that is highly respected by the town speaks with his honorable self image, logic and emotion to compete for the crowd’s favor. Brutus, having a high reputation for being trustworthy, uses his image, ethos to his advantage. “Believe me on my honor and keep my honor in mind, so you may believe me.” (3,2 pg.127). Right away, the crowd is moved by Brutus’ speech and is immediately on Brutus’ side.
Through this, Shakespeare also suggests that Iago feels that Othello's judgement is faulty. When the audience do finally meet Othello, they learn that he is, unlike Iago, confident in his military position: “My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints.” Shakespeare shows that Othello is truly content in his standing and status; through this contrast with Iago, the audience are able to see that the
Ethos, Logos and Pathos Ethos, logos and pathos are three persuasion tools used by Shakespeare in Mark Antony’s funeral oration over Caesar’s body. 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. Antony uses these elements to turn the Roman crowd against the conspirators with a highly convincing speech. These three persuasion tools and structure and diction are the key elements of the effectiveness of Mark Antony’s famous speech. The most convincing use of ethos in Antony’s speech is in the first line of the speech; “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!” This shows that Mark Antony is trying to get in to the Roman crowd’s hearts with his
“you all did love him once, not without cause: what cause withholds you then to mourn for him now”(citation). Here Antony depicts how the crowd once did love him but because a man has put false ideas into their heads, they turn on him. A citizen of Rome should stand for their beliefs, not the ones that are put into their heads even if it is by a powerful and honorable man. Not only does Antony show much emotion towards the subject, but so does Brutus when he speaks during his own eulogy. Here Brutus illustrates his love Rome, “not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more” (citation).
However, the most incredible of all these passages is found in Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 164-177, where Macbeth contemplates his inner thoughts to himself. Here, Macbeth speaks to time, providing the audience with a more in depth image of its importance. Also, Macbeth’s diction is short and fierce, further pushing the play’s theme of insanity slowly taking over Macbeth’s mind. Lastly, the passage faultlessly illustrates Macbeth’s fatal flaw of ambition slowly ruining his inner being. With these things taken into account, it will be effortless for one to show just how lovely this passage is
William Shakespear is a wonderful writer that uses different methods to get his message across in a creative and interesting way. In the play “Romeo and Juliet” he uses the different categories of the English language to bring to the audience attention that Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed” and fate brings them together. Inevitability of fate would be one of the main themes of the play. Romeo and Juliet’s love for one another brings them closer together but the fight between their two sides would lead to the death of these two lovers. William Shakespear often us motifs to paint a picture of what’s going on in the story.
How Augustus used Propaganda to maintain his power in Rome. Nehal Housny Professor Jose Gomez-Rivera Western Civilization November 7 , 2013 Augustus was a master of propaganda who employed Ancient and Hellenized Egypt as a means to legitimize his power in Rome after the Battle of Actium. This paper examines the ways in which Augustus molded the people, imagery and religion of Egypt to suit his political needs. This was accomplished through an examination of major Egyptian political figures such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra . The symbolism of their images was altered to enhance Augustus’ standing in Rome.