Julius Caesar Funeral Rhetorical Analysis

Julius Caesar’s Funeral

Julius Caesar is one of the best known historical figures to come out of ancient Rome; he is also the basis of William Shakespeare’s tragedy called Julius Caesar, although this heavily contrasts the actual events. Taking place in ancient Rome; the main character of Brutus begins to fear for the future of Rome when he learns that his arrogant, and presumptuous friend, Julius Caesar, could possibly become king. In response to this he goes along with a conspiracy to kill Caesar. After Caesar has died Brutus, and Caesar's dear friend Antony speak at his funeral. At the funeral Brutus gives a speech about why Caesar needed to die, conversely Antony gives a speech about why the killing of Caesar was appalling, pertinent and unnecessary. He presents a much more intensive and persuasive speech, using plentiful rhetorical devices.

One illustration of how Antony’s speech is superior to Brutus’ speech, is Antony’s application of

antistrophe. The speech given by Antony has a pattern of after he defends Caesar for a while he would say the quote of “Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man.”(III.ii,) This is antistrophe due to the fact that he often places this statement at the close of his main points. Not only is this phrase used as antistrophe, but it’s also incredibly ironic. He goes on about how amiable and unambitious Caesar is, and uses the phrase to stab at Brutus. This phrase means to imply the exact opposite of what is spoken; he is teasing the fact Brutus believed himself to be such an honorable person, when what he did, in Antony’s opinion, is awful, and uncalled for. This phrase can also cause people emphasize with Caesar, considering they believed Brutus to be honorable before he did this, and this may remind them of that. Unlike Antony, Brutus did not utilize the persuasive application of antistrophe. There is not one case of it throughout his entire speech. As a result of Brutus’ lack of antistrophe, or even repetition in general , his speech comes off as stodgy, and forgettable. If the people are unable to remember something how will it persuade them. This phrase also gives the speech a general cohesiveness.
Another key component that made Antony’s speech so persuasive is his stellar use of logos, which Brutus refuses to take advantage of.

Ordinarily Brutus tries to appeal to the ethics of the people, by expressing his personal opinion. Antony also uses an ethical appeal, but he supports it with factual events. Throughout his speech he doesn’t once mention his opinion, instead he just gives examples of facts that would cause people support his side, without making them realize that's his intent. By specifically telling them just his opinion without supporting it with facts Brutus basically told the people what to believe, while Antony told them that these are the facts, but they can believe what they wish. The facts Antony tells are all, instances the plebeians know to be true, consequently his logos has an even greater effect. A couple examples of this are Caesar’s refusal of the crown, and the fact that the people addressed were once in support of him. Near the end of the speech, Antony brings up Caesar’s

will.
Brilliantly using paralipsis to gain interest, Antony soon has the entire crowd dying to hear the will. Antony likely knew he would tell the plebeians the will, but instead of outright saying it, he feigns an unwillingness to tell it. This creates curiosity among the plebeians, and makes them more interested in it than if he would have revealed it immediately. Because of the paralipsis, it makes even more impactful when he reveals the will. The will being that Caesar left all his people money, and access to his orchard. Brutus tells all his information without using any methods to gain interest, or create suspense, which is yet another reason his speech is forgettable, especially placed next to Antony’s.
In conclusion, Antony’s speech was much more put together, and persuasive, while Brutus’ speech was uninteresting and forgettable. Antony used the persuasion tactics of logos, and the rhetorical devices of antistrophe, and paralipsis, while Brutus used none of these. Thus, Antony was the better speaker