Rhetoric in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Rhetoric in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Different literary pieces often use rhetoric to persuade characters towards a significant
decision. Rhetoric relates and points its words directly to specific referents and is a single system
of communication where the words are the only symbols used (Frye 48). Shakespeare’s Julius
Caesar demonstrates how Shakespeare gave his characters their own personal styles.
Shakespeare reveals his uncanny familiarity with the art of rhetoric and his effortless mastery in
the skillful use of language (Wills 39).
The characters in the play plan and persuade others to take specific actions in order to
satisfy their own needs. For example, Cassius, Brutus, and Antony make good use of rhetoric for
different causes. Each of these men convinces each other as well as the Roman population to
follow his beliefs. However, these different characters have different motivations to do so.
Cassius’s aim is to weaken Brutus’ dedication towards Caesar and awaken his sense of
civic responsibility. He convinces Brutus that Caesar must be overthrown and points out his
shortcomings by comparing Caesar with Brutus constantly (National Taipei University 2).
Brutus and Caesar—what should be in that “Caesar”?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name. (1.2 144-146)

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He continually flatters Brutus and uses the word “honor,” several times for Brutus, and it
reflects the importance he places on honor. The following line shows how he takes advantage of
this:
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus
As well as I do know your outward favor.
Well, honor is the subject of my story. (1.2.90-92)
Brutus is obsessed with his civic duty and tries to convince the Roman people by rhetoric
that his motives to kill Caesar are noble. He has to make a tough decision of killing his best
friend for the love of his country. He calls the people of Rome “lovers” and thus reminds the
people ethos (National Taipei University 3). Brutus uses “rhetorical questions” for is an
argument:
“Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men?” (3.2 24).
It is broadly believed Shakespeare has composed Antony’s speech carefully to employ
the appeal of pathos to evoke emotions. Antony’s speech is moving as he convinces people of
their emotional desires and takes the decision (National Taipei University 5).
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. (3.2 73)
He uses “juxtaposition” and “repetition” to justify his point of view and keep his audience
convinced.
But Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man. (3.2 83-86)