Persuasion in Julius Caesar was an indispensable factor in the play. From Decius’s sly flattery to Antony’s significantly impressive speech to the commoners, many different ways of persuasion were used in Julius Caesar. Its power was demonstrated through eloquence between Brutus and Antony to the commoners at Caesar’s funeral. As a result of their speech, Antony succeeds to appeal to their emotional feelings, he swayed them to think conspiracy can’t be justified and makes them go against the conspirators. Cassius and Brutus failed to justify their conspiracy which gave Antony a precious chance to gain the crowd’s trust. Now I’m going to analyze how persuasion by different characters in the story Julius Caesar turned the tables around.
As a leader of the conspiracy to assassinate the great Caesar, Cassius tried to make Brutus join the conspiracy for the sake of many positive aspect follows with him. And that are, Brutus is popular with the commoners and furthermore Brutus’s father was highly respected as much as senators. His personality was cool-headed, which will make conspiracy more harden. At the beginning of the conversation between Cassius and Brutus, Brutus reveals that he is at war with himself regarding Caesar. Revealing his condition enhanced Cassius’s flattering on Brutus saying he is as good as Caesar and that he’s a most honorable man.
Moreover, to enhance his mind to join the conspiracy, he said that Caesar is just an ordinary man by giving specific instances that showed Caesar is as ordinary as others e.g. Caesar cried out to help him when he was about to drowned if Cassius and that Caesar was an epileptic. Showing their weakness is fatal especially if the person is a leader because if the leader shows the weak si...
... middle of paper ...
...ransoms did the general coffers fill” Act3 Scene2 line#87, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept” Act3 Scene2 line#90 and “I thrice presented him a kingly crown. Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?” Act3 Scene2 line#96 All these refutations indicate Caesar wasn’t ambitious but rather, he was full of compassion and sympathy. He didn’t use any sly skill but well-chosen facts and this turned the tables.
Nobody would think that a single speech or persuasion would be able to turn the tables and none of us thought that the power of persuasion could be that powerful. However, these two speeches in the play verified the influence of persuasion using numerous persuasion techniques simple flattery to well-chosen fact. In the story, persuasion was the main factor from the start of the conspiracy to the end of it and the result of persuasion was powerful.
In the beginning of the Book Cassius uses anecdotes of Caesar’s weakness and faults, argumentum ad antiquatum, and ethos on Brutus to persuade him to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar, this works on Brutus and shows that anyone, even people as stoic as Brutus, can be persuaded by appealing to their motivations. Cassius, a very suspicious character thru ought the play tells Brutus to “be not jealous on me” (827), in the quote he tells Brutus to not be suspicious of him because he is just a friend who genuinely cares. Cassius does this to put himself on Brutus’ side and not seem like a distant person, this allows him to criticize Caesar and suggest that he is a bad influence on Rome which appeals to Brutus’ desire to keeping Rome safe. After setting himself up as a friend to Brutus, Cassius uses harsh anecdotes on the weakness of Caesar to show that he isn’t fit to rule Rome. Cassius recollects on a time when he and Caesar went swimming in the river Tiber and Caesar screamed “Help me, Cassius or I sink” (828) to de...
Cassius truly believes Caesar has a frail state of mind and is unfit to have any form of authority in Rome. At first glance, his words and ideology seem to strive for the end of tyranny and become the savior of Romans, but it is clear he puts more emphasis on his rank rather than the well-being of others. When he states that their ranks were not their fault and should be taken into their own hands he intends to take his place by force with no regards for the Roman people or government. Additionally, Cassius shouldn’t be commended for saving Caesar from drowning because he remembrances on that deed to convince others that Caesar is feeble than most, yet he is treated like a god. Cassius’s greed for power motivates his murderous motivations but his ability to manipulate others to his will is also evident in his words. He refers to Caesar’s overwhelming power similar to a Colossus while he and the others “…walk under his huge legs… ” or are hidden in his glory. In reality though, the senators are more esteemed than despised. Another way Cassius misleads others is by faking Caesar’s fascist behaviors toward the commoners. He does so by forging negative letters about “Caesar’s Ambition” for Brutus to be pressured into joining his cause. Consumed by envy, he convinces Brutus to assassinate Caesar for the righteousness of the people but his incentive has
In this scene, Caesar shows no eagerness to gain power or fame as the citizens have assumed therefore showing no ambition whatsoever. The imagery and logical reasoning persuade the audience into rethinking if Caesar was ambitious and believe that Caesar was
Brutus’ ignorance creates an expectation that develops a path which leads him awry. When Brutus mentions,“ I would not Cassius; yet I love him well” (1.2.81-88 ), he portrays his internal conflict. Brutus depicts the rendering struggle between Cassius’ acquisitions and Caesar’s actions. His oblivion toward the truth and goodwill concerning the greater health of Rome prompt him astray. He acts with the innocence of a child, deceive and swindle by Cassius, Brutus is an
At the beginning, Brutus is tricked by Cassius into believing that killing Julius Caesar would be for the better of Rome (1, 2, ll. 32-321). Cassius is able to deviously influence Brutus into thinking that Caesar is no different from Brutus. He says, “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that Caesar?/ Why should that name be sounded more than yours?” (1, 2, ll. 142-143) Cassius also uses many other examples to manipulate Brutus.
Two powerful leaders, one power hungry whose ambitious ideas lead to his downfall, the other mindful of people who deserve their higher positions. A true leader is someone who has a vision, a drive and commitment to achieve what's best. In the play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Brutus and Caesar are one of the main characters. They demonstrate leadership qualities that are still relevant to today. They are both very ambitious characters; however, they do so for different reasons and differ in their openness to others. There are many similarities and differences that lie between them. Both are noble and great men with loyal followers and neither man questions the rightness of his own path. Both made crucial mistakes that resulted in their death. However, Caesar acts out of love for for himself, his country, and to retain his power as ruler of Rome. Brutus on the other hand acts out of love for freedom of Rome. This essay will discuss and compare their qualities as leaders as well as their styles and how they are effective/ineffective in the play.
Julius Caesar is a moral, ethical man. He is a selfless man who puts others before himself. When Artemidorus gets word of the conspirator’s plans, he writes a letter to Caesar to warn him of his impending fate and rushes to the Capitol to give him word. Upon telling Caesar the letter is concerning him, Caesar simply brushes it off and responds, “What touches oneself shall be served last”(III,I, 8). Caesar altruistically puts aside an urgent manner concerning him to accept the offer of becoming King of Rome, which is the reason he went to the Capitol in the first place, which shows he is a benevolent, thoughtful person. In
While reading the play “Julius Caesar”, deception, betrayal, and exaggeration were perceived throughout. Cassius was the character that fit these qualities the most. He can be compared to the former president, Richard Nixon. He was the United States 37th President of the United States. He was voted into office receiving great admiration for his speeches, and work he had previously done. When he was elected, it was the time during the Vietnam War. His goal as president was to have reconciliation (Sidey and Freidel). He gave great speeches by using rhetoric; a famous speech is 425 - Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam, November 3, 1969 rhetorical devices that he used in that speech was by saying “Good evening, my fellow Americans” (Peters) it gave the audience a sense of familiarity within the audience, and Nixon (Zielenski). In Nixon’s “Checker’s Speech” he tells his side of the story and his role in the Watergate Scandal. In his speech he uses rhetorical devices including repetition and anaphora, “I say that it was morally wrong if any of that $18,000 went to Senator Nixon, for my personal use. I say that it was morally wrong if it was secretly given and secretly handled. And I say that it was morally wrong if any of the contributors got special favors for the contributions that they made” (The History Place ). In the same speech, he uses the rhetorical question, “Well, how do you pay for these and how can you do it legally?” (The History Place ). Lastly, in the “Checker’s Speech” he uses irony when he states “I have a theory, too, that the best and only answer to a smear or an honest misunderstanding of the facts is to tell the truth. And that is why I am here tonight. I want to tell you my side of the case. This is a us...
Cassius is the greatest manipulator in the play, Julius Caesar. Cassius, an envious and ambitious man, believed that the ruler of Rome, Julius Caesar, had too much power over the senate and the people. To put an end to what he considered to be conspiracy, he fabricated a plan to eradicate Caesar for the sake of Rome. Cassius uses manipulation as his weapon of attack using Brutus as the target. Cassius succeeds in persuading Brutus, one of Caesar’s good friends, to join their plot. Cassius uses flattery, self-gain, and the people of Rome to manipulate Brutus into his likings.
Persuasion occurs daily in one's life. Techniques of persuasion include advertisements and speeches. Surprisingly speeches are not frequently used as now the world is bombarded with images. However well-written words can have an impact on the audience as shown in the play Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. The characters; Antony and Brutus are able to convince their audience by adopting a variety of rhetorical devices. They are similar in their use of repetition but different in rhetorical questions and irony. Ultimately Antony proves that he is more persuasive.
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, the characters give many persuasive speeches, some stronger than others, to convince characters in the story about what is true, false, right, and wrong. After given instructions on a way to present his funeral speech for Caesar, Antony uses knowledge and skill to cover for his persuasion. Antony speaks to the Roman mob after Brutus. His objective is to turn the people against Brutus and the conspirators in a persuading way so the group will no longer follow what is wrong. Antony has skillful ways to help him convince the Romans that Caesar was a loving man and Brutus is not so honorable. He uses verbal irony, parallel phrases with repetition, and questioning of the truth to sway the crowds' feelings.
Julius Caesar is known to be one of the most powerful and incomparable rulers in world history. Caesar, with his many accomplishments, always had a zest to increase his power. Fueled by ambition, Caesar was determined to receive that power. Caesar’s great ambition worried the people of Rome, including noble Marcus Brutus, jealous Caius Cassius and the conspirators. In the play, Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, Marcus Brutus is justified in his part in the assassination of Julius Caesar, whereas Caius Cassius and the conspirators are not.
Brutus’ tragic flaw was his perception that all men were identical to him in their motives. This factored allowed his decisions to be easily influenced by others whose motives were devious. Cassius was able to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy because Brutus thought the only reason behind the conspiracy was to prevent one man from becoming “Rex.” He allowed Antony’s speech to occur because he was sure that Antony was motivated by the same “honor” which motivated himself.
Firstly, Caesar was a great leader and adored by his subjects. At the opening of the play, all of the Romans in the streets are cheering for Caesar and rejoicing in his triumph. Although two soldiers don’t agree, the first we hear of Caesar is that is a eagerly supported. At the Feast of Lupercal, for example, Marc Antony tries to crown him king three times, and each time, Caesar refuses. As he does, the people cheer for him because they bel 09ieve him to be so noble. This shows how the people revered him, admired him, and accepted him as their leader. They cheered for him in the streets and supported his every move. Caesar had made many positive changes in Rome, and people appreciate that. Caesar is a good, observant leader as he notices the way that Cassius is not a man to be trusted, and he is correct. He understands people and paid close attention to the way Cassius spent too much time thinking, and not enough time enjoying life and the arts. He warns Marc Antony that they should watch out for Cassius. “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much; such men are dangerous … Such men as he be never at heart's ease/ Whiles they behold a greater than themselve...
One of these important virtues necessary for rule is the ability to move a large crowd with impressive orating skills. This ability is seen particularly by Brutus in his first speech, as he manages to move the Roman crowd from fear at the assassination to disdain of the now late Julius Caesar. As Brutus spoke to the masses, he made sure to cleverly weigh his loyalty to Caesar to his loyalty to Rome, as he claims, “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (III, ii, 23-24). He even more cleverly sets the crowd with himself and against Caesar as he dares those loyal to Rome to challenge his judgement: “Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply” (III, ii, 33-36). Thus, while playing on the crowd’s loyalties and using his love for Rome and...