Manipulation proves to be a recurring theme in William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. The theme is overtly displayed in the conspirators’ exploitation of Brutus’ nobility, as well as the distortion of truth used in presenting their case to the people of Rome. Most effectively, however, Mark Antony advantageously uses these tactics to manipulate the naivety and weaknesses of each party, thus spurring the Roman people into a revolt against the conspirators. Mark Antony’s potent success can be accredited to his artful ability to discredit his opponent’s argument and justification, as well as the emotional prowess he uses to invalidate his opponent’s reputation. A good speaker should be able to convey a sense of morality and expertise as well as maintain a relevant stature to secure credibility. Mark Antony heavily accents his position as Caesar’s close friend to earn the trust of the Roman citizens. Where Brutus uses his social status as a nobleman in his feeble attempts at gaining credibility, Mark Antony uses his relationship with Caesar to solicit an authoritative and poignant role as a speaker. He continues to stress …show more content…
Whereas Brutus’ uncertain collection of evidence proves insufficient, relying on Caesar’s incalculable potential to be ambitious, Mark Antony presents Caesar’s humility to the audience by referencing two specific events that the citizens have witnessed in which Caesar showed no sign of ambition, disproving Brutus’ claim. Furthermore, he creates a connection between Caesar’s lack of ambition and Brutus’s perfidious nobility by repeating the phrase, “But Brutus says he was ambitious/And Brutus is an honorable man” (3.2.86-87). Through the emphasis of Brutus’ honour and the disaccreditation of his claim, Mark Antony’s correlation successfully invalidates Brutus’s speech, and writes both Brutus and the conspirators off as traitorous and
William Shakespeare’s famous play Julius Caesar utilizes the literary element of rhetoric multiple times throughout to show the true power that words can hold. The rhetoric in Caesar accompanies the play’s themes of betrayal, deception, and exaggeration. Brutus uses rhetoric to persuade the crowd of plebeians that the murdering of Caesar was positive and beneficial to all of Rome, winning their support and causing them to join his cause. Soon after, Mark Antony gives a terrifically-persuasive speech
Was Antony’s Speech so Much Better? In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Antony’s speech was more effective than Brutus’s speech because Antony uses many different strategies to talk to the plebians, and different rhetorical devices, whereas Brutus just talks about how good of a man Caesar was and tries to explain his reasoning. Mark Antony connects deeper with the plebeians than Brutus does. Mark Antony's speech focuses on emotion and manipulation, while Brutus’s speech focuses on logic and reasoning
Julius Caesar Essay They say that words are powerful, and truly, that statement couldn’t be more true. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the character of Mark Antony manages to sway an entire defensive crowd of Romans into rage against Brutus and his fellow conspirators; driving them to munity in a seemingly effortless way with his words. However, Mark Antony employs more than just his speech to manipulate the crowd to his side, using multiple types of communication through his
blindly, ruining the once great Rome. The great Mark Antony was faced with this very same situation in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and proved to be a triumphant leader. With the skilled use of language, and the love of his people and his country, he is able to pull the crowd away from the ideas Brutus and Cassius set in their heads. A worthy ruler gives his best to the people and their country, and works alongside them to make their home a better place. Antony knew that the two conspirators, Brutus and
head by other people. This is known as manipulation. Manipulation shows up as a major theme in the poem The tragedy of Julius Caesar written by famous poet William Shakespeare. When people want something they cannot do themselves they will drag other people into it by any means necessary. While this theme shows up in the play, there are many examples in the modern world for example, within the last year a common topic was fake news. Another example of manipulation is shown with buying and selling of
society, manipulation is often used to change people’s decision-making attitudes, usually through unethical means for advantageous strategies. For example, this is present when Cassius convinces Brutus to join him in the conspiracy against Caesar. This is one of many instances where Shakespearean characters are diverted from their own opinions. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Julius Caesar, rhetorical strategies such as epistrophe, erotesis, and antithesis are used by characters like Mark Antony
exploration of a leader’s violent nature toward the populace and the importance in manipulating the general public, Machiavelli reveals the requirements of a good leader. These ideals expressed by Machiavelli are evident in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar (1599). Although contextual differences are apparent, the differing texts reflect similar ideas in relation to the requirements of a leader. Through the composer’s depiction of leadership, Machiavelli and Shakespeare reveal the impact of context
Theme in Julius Caesar Julius Caesar is a play written about the tragedy of Caesar's death and the events that unfolded after it. The play is considered one of Shakespeare's best works. Julius Caesar was a well-respected and honorable leader who was undoubtedly loved by each and every one of Rome’s citizens. That is, until a secret conspiracy that planned to assassinate the affamed leader was formed. When the assassination became successful, Rome began to go on a downward spiral. The city broke
over the world display dishonesty, manipulation and a general disregard for morality. In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, there are few men who do not possess these traits. However, in the eyes of Shakespeare, this is not always a good thing. It has been shown repeatedly that if one is fully honest and trusting, like Brutus for example, that person will not be the victor. This makes it clear to see that the most valued trait in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is being charismatic and manipulative
Both Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” and “Steve Bannon’s power play in Trump’s Oval Office” by Nancy Benac and Jill Colvin, both demonstrate that the power itself is more than a name or position and can be successful or not. It is something that people exercise. There is not absolute power, every power has limitations and this done through the use of copious techniques. Power play and how it can be successful or unsuccessful is a very complex theme that all writers display artfully. One of Brutus’s
It's not that I love Caesar less, but I love Rome more - Brutus. In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, he portrays that manipulation may come easy due to his appearance and vulnerability. Shakespeare uses language devices through quotations to show how Brutus has been tricked into making a fatal mistake. This ultimately caused his needless death and the hate of Rome towards him. William Shakespeare uses Brutus to show the audience fear and pity. He shows this by the manipulation of Brutus, leading
Mark Antony’s use of emotional rhetoric to sway the plebeians against the conspirators proves far more powerful than the logical rhetoric of stoic philosophy used by Brutus. When Mark Antony is given time to speak, he is faced by a hostile audience that believes whole heartedly in the words of Brutus. Mark Antony starts by saying he has come to bury his friend Caesar, not to praise him. He is trying to assure the Romans that he is on their side, and begins to indicate that he will ignore all of the
William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Julius Caesar deals with many complex topics in an eloquent and engaging way, all in the format of a compelling stage production, full of legendary quotes and unforgettable speeches. The major message Shakespeare is trying to get across in this renowned play is how the Roman people’s fanatical views of honor, loyalty, and justice are not as noble as they appear but are instead twisted and inconsistent. This is proven through the actions of the play’s main characters
Antony a friend of Caesar in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is great at manipulating a crowd full of Romans and Plebeians to believe that Caesar was a rood, ambitious, and honest man. Antony uses verbal irony, emotion, relationships with the crowd, and props to manipulate the Romans to agree with himself. The first part of Antony’s longest and most memorable speech not only establishes a relationship with the Plebeians, but his speech contains verbal irony. Antony uses the repetition of the
their country. They should love and care for each and everyone of their citizens no matter the differences between each other. One such leader is Brutus in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is a great description of a leader Rome should want to have. While there are tragic falls and great rises in this story, and well, how it keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to read and figure out what goes on there are leaders which should be known such as Brutus. Brutus is a great leader with many great