The funeral orations in Julius Caesar The funeral orations of both Brutus & Antony after Caesar's death The play"Julius caesar" ,Shakespeare's shrotest chronicles the events leading up to julius caesar's assassination and the immediate consequences of his death . After caesar is killed , Antony and Brutus ; both Roman senators eulogize julius caesar . Both speeches had their unique own way of adressing the crowd as well as differing styles and techniques . According to the dictionnary , rhetoric means the "art of persuasive or impressive speaking or writing " . During this essay , I plan to show how both Brutus and Antony use it in their speeches after Caesar's death .
Here Brutus illustrates his love Rome, “not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more” (citation). Brutus explains to the crowd that he did love Caesar, but he loved Rome more and he had slain Caesar because he thought it would be for the better of Rome. Not only did these men use much emotion and logic in their eulogies, but they also use ethnical reasoning
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. In both of the funeral orations, we are able to see the power of rhetoric and its ability to persuade crowds through Brutus and Mark Antony. Brutus’ speech falls into the description of the classic rhetoric appeal of ethos, basing his argument on his credibility from an ethical standpoint in order to persuade the crowd to “believe me [Brutus] for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe.” As being one of the conspirators that took part in Caesar’s death, Brutus uses rhetorical devices from the beginning of his speech, like this Chiasmus for instance, in order to give reason to his actions and advocate his respectable character. Here Brutus is emphasizing that honorable people tell the truth, and since he is an honorable man they should believe what he says, for he too will tell the truth, hiding all possibility that they should doubt his words for lies. Brutus also includes an Isocolon in the lines “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe.” (126). Brutus appeals to the audience with his honor, and calls them fellow romans and dear friends. By asking the people to believe him for his honor, he lays down his credibility of being an honorable person. He knows that the people know that he is honorable. Because of this, the audience believes that he killed the ambitious Caesar because he cares and loves the people of Rome.
The devices work together to convince the crowd that Caesar being the better and more legitimate ruler, has previously connected with the Romans in a proffessional ethical way as well as connecting with them an emotional way. Antony's use of red herring actually lights the light bulb for the crowd of Rome. The fact that he draws attention to the central issue of Brutus killing caesar and his death affecting Rome, brings the crowd
Before this quote was said Caesar was killed. Mark Antony, who is a very good friend with caesar, came to see what had happened. He talked to Caesar’s killers and shook each of their hands. He wanted to get on their good side so they didn’t kill him and so it would be easier for him to plan his revenge. Antony then said that he did that in friendship and loved them all.
Through words and actions William Shakespeare paints the picture that Brutus is a virtuous individual who believes in and stands by certain moral traits. In the preceding discussions of the assassination of Julius Caesar, Brutus tells the conspiracy that Caesar must be killed in a decent
Brutus speaks on prose, presenting Caesar as a person who put himself before his people. “…as he was valiant I honour him, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” the use of contradicting binary opposite ideas supports Brutus’ portrayal of a man of ambition. When Antony speaks on the occasion after Caesars assassination to the crowd of Romans he speaks in verse,(in contrast to Brutus who speaks in prose, making Antony appear more educated and knowing)states, “I am no orator...-as you know me all- a plain blunt man that loved my friend.” Antony belittles his influential and powerful position within the Roman Empire to identify with being a “plain blunt man.” This use of
Nathan Morfoot Mr. Vazzana English II Honors 11 March 2013 Brutus, Honored or Dishonored? Would you be able to take a man's life to better your country? In Julius Caesar a play written by William Shakespeare a man name Brutus did just that. He killed the dictator of Rome at the time, Julius Caesar. Brutus was highly regarded and loved by the people of Rome.
Even though the people where on his side until Antony gave his speech, they eventually got a different and more truthful side. “Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe,” (3, 2, 13-16). Even though Brutus says he was loyal to Caesar he got his mind changed and convinced into stabbing Caesar. He may have changed the minds to the people for a short amount of time but then they got to hear the truth about it and revolted on Brutus and his