Martin Luther King, Jr once said, “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”
Julius Caesar was a Roman general in the Tragic play called Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare. Caesar was stabbed by many Romans and his best friend. Many Romans were jealous that Caesar had much power over Rome. Romans thought Caesar would feel unpleasant to be crowned. Words were used as a weapon because many of his close friends have stabbed him and talked badly about him behind his back. Anthony uses pathos and rhetorical questions in his speech to make him sound caring and innocent.
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At the beginning of Antony’s speech, he explains how he misses Caesar; he uses pathos and rhetorical questions to do this. Antony was planning to crown Julius Caesar. Caesar declined the crown, he said, “ I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?” (III. III,88-90). Caesar clearly does not want the crown because he declined it and therefore declined the opportunity to lead them and make them slaves. Anthony is explaining how he feels downhearted about how Caesar has died, he said “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it comes back to me.”(III.III,105-107). Antony wanted the Roman citizens to react and they did. The Romans agreed with him and believed his lies. This is bad for Brutus because no one believes him.
Anthony has lied to the Romans and has made them believe they feel bad for him. Now that Antony has the crowd's attention he continues to use strong laughs and get the rest of everyone on his side. Antony has the will in his hands and Romans are begging him to read it, he says, “Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?” (III.III,148-149). Antony is manipulating the Romans making them feel guilty for turning their back on Cesar. The Romans feel guilty for what had happened to Caesar and they feel Antony's so-called pain. Antony gives the crowd a reason to feel guilty, he says ‘Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, And let me show you him that made the will.” (III.III,157-158). Antony brings the crowd around the body to make them feel guilty for betraying Caesar. The crowd feels ashamed and believes Antony for his words. Now that Antony sees the crowd’s mind is changing he continues to manipulate them and make them feel as if they are in the wrong.
At the end of Antony’s speech, he manages to use persuasive language to manipulate the Romans against Brutus and the conspirators. Antony demands that the Romans look at Caesar’s dead body which makes them cry, he says “Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold Our Caesar's vesture wounded?” (III.III. 195-196). The Romans are crying over Caesar's dead body because they feel guilty because they listened to Brutus and didn’t listen to Caesar. Antony continues to make the Romans feel bad and pushes them to sob, he says, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle.”(III.III. 169-170). Antony is being ignorant and makes the Romans cry with the lies that he tells the Romans. He tries to get them to understand him and his grief for his best friend. Finally, realizing that his powers of persuasion have worked because he has won over the crowd and has made them think what he desires.
Anthony uses pathos and rhetorical questions in his speech to make him sound like he cared about Caesar's death. In the beginning, Antony tricked the Romans and made them believe they have killed Caesar. In the middle of the play, Antony has the crowd’s attention and he continues to manipulate them. Antony is being ignorant and makes Romans cry with the lies that he tells the Romans. At the end of Antony’s speech, he tries to get them to believe Antony’s slide and stay on his side.
Works Cited
- Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare Made Essay: Julius Caesar. Trans. Alan Durband. London: Barro’s 1985.
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