Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Julius Caesar

Thirst for Revenge
Power is something that many people fight for. In William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, two characters orate at Caesar’s funeral. Caesar was murdered by his close friends, Brutus and the Conspirators. The Conspirators covered their swords and hands in Caesar’s blood and have formed havoc among Rome. Caesar’s best friend Marc Antony goes up against Brutus at the funeral. Both of the character's speeches had different strategies in talking to the crowd and making separate points about Caesar’s rule in Rome. Although Brutus had an adequate speech, Antony’s speech was more superior and effective in getting the crowd on his side. Throughout his speech, he uses sarcasm, pathos, a way to convince the audience by making an emotional response, and rhetorical questions, to emphasize a point, not to be answered, and get the crowd on his side and avenge Caesar.

In Antony’s speech, the people of Rome felt that Antony was going to say something against Brutus.

The crowd did not like Caesar because Brutus said that Caesar would become a tyrant if he did not kill him. Firstly, Antony asks, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 90). Antony comments this to rhetorically ask the crowd after he said a good thing about Caesar. Antony states, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff,” so the people of Rome would know that Caesar actually cared for them and points out that Caesar was not being ambitious (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 91-92). Nonetheless, this is just the beginning of Antony’s plan to get the crowd on his side. He will continue to persuade the audience that Caesar was a good

person.
The crowd still wasn't convinced that Caesar was a good person. Antony then tells the audience, “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 96-97). Antony said this to let the people know that Caesar refused to take the crown when it was offered to him three times. Antony then furthered his persuasion by asking them, “What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?,” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 103). The Romans say that what Antony said made a lot of sense and when they think about it, Caesar had suffered for no reason. Antony uses pathos and says, “Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there, with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 103-105). This makes the audience feel solicitude and condolence for him. Antony mentions this so he can try to reel the crowd in by using something emotional. By the middle of Antony’s speech, the crowd was starting to agree with Antony.
Lastly, Antony announces, “Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 253). The crowd then realized and became enraged at what the Conspirators had done to their ruler. The reason why Antony asked this, was to tell the Romans to not think about the Conspirators’ theory on Caesar. Antony tells the crowd that he found Caesar’s will, and says that he should not read it because it would make them mad. The audience then asks him to read it. Antony then requisitioned, “...make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,” (Ⅲ.Ⅱ, 168). The crowd makes a circle around Caesar. Antony told the crowd to do this so they can strongly feel empathy and fondness for Caesar when they see what the Conspirators have done to him. After the Romans gathered around Caesar, Antony starts to promulgate Caesar’s will. When Antony finished addressing the will, the citizens of Rome were finally on his side.
Throughout Antony’s speech, he uses his strategy of manipulation, proposition, and emotional appeals to his advantage. Antony's speech presents the capability of persuasiveness as he turns the Romans from a hostile crowd to true supporters. Antony points out Caesar's many acts that had contributed to the Roman citizens and Rome. He recalls them of their prior love for Caesar. He refers to Caesar's will, noting that Caesar had been considerate and hospitable to them. In general, Antony’s speech was more superior and persuasive than Brutus'.