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  • Essay / Rhetorical Figures and Means of Expression in Julius Caesar

    In William Shakespeare's tragic play Julius Caesar, the contrast between honor and power in a position of leadership is presented as many individuals strive to improve Rome with their own ideals of national glory. Brutus and his followers pursue the idea that Julius Caesar was not an honorable ruler for Rome, which led them to kill him for the benefit of their country. Mark Antony opposes Brutus, being a staunch defender of Caesar's rule, in order to bring justice to his deceased acquaintance and improve the lives of the citizens of Rome. Both men give speeches about their views on Caesar's rule, but Antony's more powerful message pits the Roman citizens against Brutus and the conspirators. Shakespeare first uses paralipsis in Caesar's reign to demonstrate Antony's subtle mockery of the conspirators. Antony later uses repetition of Brutus being an honorable man as well as rhetorical questions in order to cleverly place the blame on Brutus without saying it directly. Shakespeare uses various forms of altruistic, but misleading, diction to portray Antony's speech as superior to that of Brutus because it relates to the sympathies of Roman citizens rather than their nationalism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Brutus is somewhat hesitant when he allows Antony to speak of Caesar's death. Brutus only asks Antony not to speak ill of the conspirators, which leads Antony to cleverly circumvent his oratorical limitations. Antony first exclaims that he "comes to bury Caesar, not to praise him" in order to peacefully present his connection with Caesar and ceremonially honor him (III.ii.73). Despite Antony's supposed cordiality, his motivations lie in revenge and he continues to praise Caesar despite everything. The author uses paralipsis in Antony's deceptive diction in order to subtly draw attention to Caesar's beneficial reign. By initially presenting himself as adhering to Brutus's boundaries, Antony feigns loyalty in order to improve his speech and inspire the citizens toward his rightful ideals. The author uses Antony's sly diction to reinforce the ethos, thereby creating an emotional response in the citizens who sympathize with Antony's loss. Rather than promoting patriotism for Rome like Brutus, Antony's speech focuses on the feeling of the individual, inspiring the crowds toward Caesar's ideals. Shakespeare later supports Antony's emphasis on Roman emotions when he slyly announces that he "speaks not to refute what Brutus has said, but...to say what he knows" (III.ii99-100 ). Shakespeare once again uses paralipsis in order to distract from Antony's continued opposition to Brutus' methods. The author's use of logos when discussing Caesar's rule over Brutus is used to influence both the minds and hearts of the citizens, as they are more willing to follow someone who gives back to them . The author describes Antony's diction as both benevolent and deceptive because his morals lie in the betterment of Rome, but his motivations are to go against Brutus' rule and avenge the death of her beloved Caesar. Antony's ability to circumvent the restrictions imposed by Brutus helps meet the needs of the citizens, as the focus is on Caesar's past accomplishments. Antony later emphasizes Brutus' supposed honor in order to show the contrast between Caesar, a true ruler, and Brutus, a misguided ruler. Antony emphasizes Brutus' supposed honor in order toto mock in a roundabout way the morality of Brutus which differs from that of Caesar. Antony repeatedly exclaims that "Brutus is an honorable man" in order to feign loyalty to the conspirators (III.ii.82). The author uses Antoine's repetitive diction to prove the opposite of its connotation. By portraying Brutus as always honorable, and then following up his supposed successes with his harms to society, Antony is cleverly placing the blame on Brutus while also complimenting him. Shakespeare uses the contrast between Brutus' honor and his evil actions to lead the audience toward the more obvious evil of murder. Where Brutus offers ideals of nationalism, Antony provides emotional and physical benefit to the audience. Shakespeare uses ethos when Antony appeals to the audience because even though they view Brutus as clearly honorable, they see Caesar as generous because they feel connected to his downfall and they desire the materialistic possessions that Caesar's will administered posthumously. In addition to honoring Brutus, Antony repeatedly asserts that Caesar "was [his] friend, faithful and just to [him], but Brutus says that he was ambitious", thus providing a clear opposition between benevolent rule of Caesar and the sudden murder of Brutus (III.ii.84-85). Shakespeare uses the comparison of Caesar to Brutus in order to place the “ambitious” characteristic on Brutus because he is the one who physically enacts evil. By backhandedly praising Brutus, listeners quickly stop believing the accusations about Caesar's rule, as Antony continually refutes Brutus's reasons for killing. By praising the conspirators, but praising Caesar more, Shakespeare proves that Antony's speech is stronger because his caring diction uses ethos to make an emotional connection with each individual rather than the whole. The citizens sympathize with Caesar's death by turning against the conspirators. Antoine's carefully worded speech then becomes stronger as he inflicts a physical reaction, while speaking with calm diction. Antony's final strategy in his speech plays with rhetorical questioning in order to make the audience think and change their thoughts to avenge Caesar rather than celebrate his death. Although Antony emits a cordial appearance during his speech, his inner motivations lie in persuading the crowd of his original beliefs in order to avenge Caesar. When Antony states: “[Caesar] brought back to Rome many captives whose ransoms were met from the general coffers: did this seem ambitious in Caesar? ", he forces the crowd to focus on the advantages of Caesar's reign (III.ii. 87-89). Shakespeare uses Antony's heartfelt diction in order to direct the crowd's motivations toward vengeance, as it is easy for the audience to identify with a king who benefits his fellow man. The author uses Antony's double-barreled questions to enhance the logos, because even though Antony inwardly rebels against the conspirators, his statements about Caesar's public influences are true. Antony uses the audience's emotions in his speech in order to bring together a larger audience. Brutus' argument was that the Romans should rebel against an unjust government, which is certainly a good cause. However, Antony relates to every citizen by exemplifying Caesar's values ​​of caring for people and giving back to the public. Antony uses the rhetorical questioning of Caesar's ambition to show the error in the murder of Brutus, thus pitting Rome against the conspirators who opposed Caesar's benevolence. Antony then ends his speech with an inspiring question that says: "You all loved [Caesar] one..