Rhetoric In Julius Caesar Essay

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Recommended: Rhetorical choices used in antony's speech in julius caesar

Antony faces a bias crowd when presenting his speech to the Romans. The use of appeal, verbal irony, rhetorical questions, repetition and anaphora is frequently seen throughout Antony’s speech. He uses those English techniques to convince the crowd in his favor. Furthermore, Antony’s tone makes his speech convincing to the Romans who were in favor of the conspirators. Throughout this essay, it will be evident to see how Antony uses verbal irony and other figures of speech to sway the crowd. Sarcasm is all throughout Antony’s speech in which can be easily seen. In act 3,scene 2 and lines 24-27,it states,’’I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he thrice refused: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; and sure, he is an honourable man.’’ This citation presents an instance of verbal irony and a rhetorical question, because Brutus claimed that Caesar was too ambitious; However, Antony presents a counterclaim which is Caesar refusing the crown three times. This to him doesn’t seem to be an act of being ambitious, and shows how Antony is sarcastically saying Brutus is honorable. Additionally, Antony is making the crowd think, with …show more content…

For example, in act 3, scene 2, lines 41-48, states,’’ And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters, if I were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, who, you all know are honourable men: I will not do them wrong;I rather choose to wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, than I will wrong such honourable men.’’ This demonstrates, how Antony’s tone is very ironic because he is implying the thought of mutiny and rage within the Roman people, even though he state’s he is not. In addition, Antony is not only implying rage and mutiny to the Romans but he is also mentioning the fact that he doesn’t want to oppose the conspirators but this is because he actually is by converting it in a way of

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