Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

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Persuasion is the act of urging someone to do something. Some people may try to persuade others by being subtle and trying to make them do or believe something without them knowing whereas others will get straight to the point. There are innumerable different types or forms of persuasion. In the book Julius Caesar, Brutus and the conspirers assassinate Caesar in the attempt to save Rome. Brutus speaks at his funeral to try to persuade the commoners that what he did was appropriate. Antony also asks to speak at the funeral and makes an obligation that he will not say anything unacceptable about them. The essential three types of persuasion used in the book are logos, pathos, and ethos.
Logos is applying logic or reasoning, and providing evidence to persuade someone. In Brutus's speech
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In Brutus's speech he says, "Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?" (III:ii:22-24) Brutus is hitting their emotions by saying that they would be all slaves if Caesar was still alive and ruling over Rome. This was extremely effective because he knows that none of the commoners would want to live their lives as slaves. Antony says in his speech, "Look, in his place ran Cassius' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made," (III:ii168-169) He then says, "And as he plucked his cursed steel away, mark how the blood of Caesar followed it, as rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knocked, or no. For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors arms, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart." (III:ii:171-180) He is making the commoners visualize what happened and allowing them to feel the emotional pain Caesar felt when he seen Brutus stab

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