Premium Essay

Julius Caesar- Act 3 Scene 2

In:

Submitted By irisnouri
Words 1175
Pages 5
Iris Nouri
2016/march/28

Julius Caesar
Act III, Scene ii
Power of language or rhetoric is the central theme in Act III, Scene ii of Julius Caesar by
William Shakespeare. Shakespeare utilizes system of structuralism to reinforce the central theme in Scene ii. The theme which is based on three argumentative appeals: emotional, logical, and ethical - postulated by Aristotle.
Act III, Scene ii takes place post assassination of Julius Caesar – an assassination on the basis of preventing a becoming dictator - ruling over Rome. At the Caesar’s funeral, the two opposing orators, Brutus as a conspirator and Antony as a Caesar’s loyal, present different emotional and ethical appealing argument to convince and persuade the plebeians, Roman Citizens, of the logic behind Caesar’s assassination.
From this scene, the audience observe the power of words, presented by Brutus and Antony, on the Roman Public - and the effects of powerful, superior and highly persuasive rhetoric in: stirring emotion by providing tragic event, shaping opinion through logical evidence, and demanding action based on ethics.
This essay will demonstrate the effects of power of language, the central theme of Act III, Scene ii. Throughout this essay I will be comparing Brutus and Antony’s use of emotional, logical, and ethical appeals.
For different motives, the assassination of Julius Caesar is acted in collaboration of conspirators.
The leader of the conspirators is Cassius, a senator, whose rivalry toward Caesar is based on jealousy. Cassius believes that: “Caesar is so weak to be king and he is merely a man”. He insists that Caesar popularity making him so powerful and if he becomes the king, he would forever overturn the republic in Rome.
Based on this logic, Caesar convinces Brutus, senator and close and dear friend of Caesar, to participate in killing Caesar. Brutus, in

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Juleus Ceasar

...In Julius Caesar, Brutus is a tragic hero. His tragic flaws are honor, poor judgment, and idealism Cassius and the other conspirators take advantage of Brutus’ honor. The conspirators wrote Brutus fake letters from the public to get him to join them. Once he joined the conspirators, they used him to bring good to killing Caesar. This idea worked until Antony showed up. That’s when Brutus’ second flaw showed itself. The second flaw is Brutus’ poor judgment. His judgment is taken advantage of by Antony. The first sign of this is when Antony talks Brutus into letting him speak at Caesar’s funeral. Another example of Brutus’ poor judgment is how Brutus thinks that Antony could cause no harm to the conspirators and their plan. The judgment Brutus made when he let Antony speak at the funeral was the turning point of the play and it led to the conspirator’s downfall. Brutus’ final act of poor judgment was when he decided to attack Antony and Octavius at Philippi. These decisions lead too many deaths including his. Brutus’ final flaw is his idealism. His idealism leads him to believe everything that everybody tells him. His idealism causes him to believe in Antony and Cassius. Cassius uses Brutus’ idealism by getting him to believe that they are killing Caesar for the betterment of Rome. Antony uses the idealism to get to talk to the com Brutus’ tragic flaws are part of what makes him a tragic hero. In Julius Caesar, Brutus is a great example of a tragic hero. His tragic flaws are...

Words: 535 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Julius Caesar

...Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare William Shakespeare Renowned English poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare’s birth date is not known; however, he is said to have been baptized on the 26th of April 1564. He died on the 26th of April 1616 but not before he had written about 38 plays, 154 sonnets and other literary pieces. Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into several languages over the years and have been produced in many forms throughout the ages. The Play Julius Caesar is a play about friendship, betrayal and power. The play is a historical tragedy as it presents the biography of one of the greatest man to have ever lived in Rome. Caesar was made Dictator and Consol after he chased Pompey and his forces out of Rome in an attempt to obtain ultimate power. Caesar’s ultimate goal was to become Rome’s first king and he remained focus on this goal until his death in 44BC. His death was as a result of fate and his refusal to acknowledge the many signs and omens that foreshadowed his fall. Brutus a very good friend of Caesar also took part in his assassination. Brutus feared that Caesar would become a tyrant and harm the people of Rome. In an attempt to ‘save’ the people Brutus helped Cassius to take Caesar’s life. After Caesar’s death he is avenged by his loyal servant Antony who skillfully manipulates his way into the band of conspirators. Later, after winning the love of the people Antony pursues and conquers Brutus’ and Cassius’ forces...

Words: 4055 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Explain Why Brutus Was Willing To Die After He Killed Julius Caesar

...People will kill themselves of will be killed for reasons that others can not comprehend. Some of those reasons are because of their beliefs of for the land or country that they love. For example the u.s has meany man and woman that has died for the freedom that the country has, because they love and beleven the country they are willing to die for it. Brutus was willing to die after he killed julius caesar because he was convinced it was for rome. He thought julius caesar was going to be a king of rome and take over the country and do all things for himself. This is an example of him saying he had no personal reason that was only for the good of rome. “It must be by his death, and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for...

Words: 499 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

English

...The Role Of Women In Julius Ceasar - 862 words The Role Of Women In Julius Ceasar In the play "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, women play an important role. The women are important factors in foreshadowing and in the development of many of the characters. To look at the role of women in the play we must look deeper in to the roles of the only two women in the play; Calpurnia, wife of Caesar, and Portia, wife of Brutus. Both of these women are key in foreshadowing the murder of Caesar. After Caesar's murder we do not hear much of either of them. The main thing Caesar's wife, Calpurnia does in the play is tell Caesar to stay at home on the day of his murder because of many unnatural events that have taken place the night before and because she has had nightmares about his assassination. On the morning of the ides of march is the first time we meet Calpurnia, her entrance is act 2 scene one when she tells Caesar "You shall not stir out of your house today." Caesar decides he shall "forth" until Calpurnia tells him why he shouldn't go to the capitol today. Some of the reasons she included were: A lioness "whelped" in the streets. Graves opened and showed their dead people. Warriors of fire fought on the clouds and drizzled blood upon the capitol. Horses neighed and dead men groaned. Ghosts shrieked in the streets. She than showed her discomfort with these things by saying "O Caesar, these things are beyond all use, / and I do fear them." Caesar says these are just as...

Words: 906 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Julius Caesar

...JULIUS CAESAR BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR Question 1 In what way does the crowd function as a character? In the play “Julius Caesar”, the crowd plays a crucial role in portraying the setting of their society. The crowds would usually portray characteristics of one character or individual. They acted like this in the way they went about doing things e.g.- they would always take the side of the person in power, they were easily persuaded because of their naïve state of mind. Question 2 One thing Julius Caesar and Brutus have in common is their divided selves. Compare the two characters with special reference to their public and private selves. Both Caesar and Brutus have two distinguished personalities, (divided selves). In reference to Brutus’ public personality, he is confident and hold himself in high esteem. He refuses to show even a spec of weakness. He takes great pride in his speeches. As opposed to his private self, who is very timid and gentle. This was portrayed in the play when he tries to conceal tis side of him from his wife. In reference to Caesar’s public personality, he is fearless, arrogant and noble in public. Caesar was unable to separate his public self from his private self unlike Brutus. Caesar would discuss his private affairs publicly. Question 3 Compare and contrast the scene between Portia and Brutus and the scene between Caesar and Calpurnia Brutus and Portia share a more respectful relationship with an understanding that they are...

Words: 930 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Unknown

...Name _______________________ Date: ___________ Julius Caesar--Act I Reading and Study Guide--English II Honors I. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the play. ▪ blank verse ___________________________________________________________________ List characters who speak in verse ________________________________________________ ▪ prose _______________________________________________________________________ List characters who speak in prose ________________________________________________ **What possible reasons do some characters speak in prose and some speak in verse? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ▪ tragedy ______________________________________________________________________ ▪ pun _________________________________________________________________________ Example from Act I, Scene I: ____________________________________________________ ▪ conflict ______________________________________________________________________ External: 1. _______________ vs. ________________ 2. _______________ vs. _______________ 3. _______________ vs. ________________ Internal: 4. ________________ vs. ________________ ▪ soliloquy (s[pic]-l[pic]l[pic][pic]-kw[pic]) _________________________________________________________ Example: ____________________________________________________________________ ...

Words: 400 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Stand Up

...The role of women in Ancient Rome is reflected perfectly through Calpurnia and Portia in Ancient Rome history. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Portia and Calpurnia, the only women roles in the play, display a woman’s role in Ancient Rome of women being inferior to their husbands and under their authority. In Act II Scene I, Brutus leaves his bed at night to join Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, Trebonius, and Cassius on a conspiracy plan. His wife, Portia becomes worried. She does not know what is going on but curiously wants to know. She is worried about her husband because she can tell something has been going on with him. However, he still refuses to tell her, even as much as she urges him to. Women were to respect their husbands and under his authority she was not obligated to force him to tell her what is going on. This is exhibited in scene 2 when Portia said, “Nor for yours either. Y’ have urgently, Brutus, stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper you suddenly arose and walked about musing and sighing, with your arm across and when I asked you what the matter was you stared upon me with ungentle looks” (II.i.237-242) This statement relates the fact of women not having control on their husband’s actions because just as Brutus left from the bed a women could not do so and also as Portia asked Brutus what was the matter he sighed, fussed, and looked at her harshly. He didn’t tell her anything, because he wasn’t obligated to do so. Portia urges Brutus to tell her the matters...

Words: 1017 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Brutus Vs Antony Essay

...SPEECHES: Brutus vs Antony Julius Caesar: Act 3, Scene 2 Caesar’s funeral is a key point in the play and is dominated by long speeches by Brutus and Antony. Because the speeches are long and challenging, it is best to view, re-view, read, and analyze. Paraphrasing - Brutus’ Speech Paraphrase Brutus’ speech at Caesar’s funeral. In this speech, Brutus explains why he had to kill Caesar. He quickly convinces the people that he did the right and honorable thing. • View and read Brutus’ speech • Discuss the main ideas that Brutus tries to convey • Paraphrase the speech (put into your own words) • You will be graded on your accuracy and thoroughness of your translatioN Paragraph - Antony’s Speech Explain what makes Marc Antony’s speech...

Words: 1358 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Julius Caesar Analysis W/ Study Questions

...Julius Caesar full title  ·  The Tragedy of Julius Caesar author  · William Shakespeare type of work  · Play genre  · Tragic drama, historical drama language  · English time and place written  ·  1599, in London date of first publication  · Published in the First Folio of 1623, probably from the theater company’s official promptbook rather than from Shakespeare’s manuscript publisher  · Edward Blount and William Jaggard headed the group of five men who undertook the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio narrator  · None climax  · Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other conspirators have lost in their attempt to keep Rome a republic rather than an empire. Ironically, the conspirators’ defeat is not yet as certain as Cassius believes, but his death helps bring about defeat for his side. protagonists  · Brutus and Cassius antagonists  · Antony and Octavius setting (time)  ·  44 b.c. setting (place)  · Ancient Rome, toward the end of the Roman republic point of view  · The play sustains no single point of view; however, the audience acquires the most insight into Brutus’s mind over the course of the action falling action  · Titinius’ realization that Cassius has died wrongly assuming defeat; Titinius’ suicide; Brutus’s discovery of the two corpses; the final struggle between Brutus’s men and the troops...

Words: 22331 - Pages: 90

Premium Essay

Julius Ceasar

...Delich Italian 230 Research Paper Julius Caesar Julius Caesar; he came, he saw, and he conquered. Caesar is one of the most well-known Emperors of Rome and one of the most influential historical figures. Caesar was a politician and general of the late Roman republic, who greatly extended the Roman Empire before seizing power and making himself dictator of Rome, paving the way for the imperial system. The story of Caesar’s rise to power and fall from grace is one that has been told since the time of the Romans. His accomplishments and contributions to Roman society and the world will surely never be forgotten. Julius Caesar was a distinguished general, influential politician, and a fierce dictator. Julius Caesar was born in Rome around July 13, 100 BC. Although, he hailed from Roman aristocrats, his family was far from rich. When Caesar was 16 his father, Gaius Caesar, died. “His family was closely connected with the Marian faction in Roman politics” (Historical Figures, Julius Caesar par. 2).  At around the time of his father's death, Caesar made a large effort to side with the country's nobility. “His marriage to Cornelia, the daughter of a noble, had drawn the ire of Rome's dictator, Sulla, who ordered the young Roman to divorce his wife or risk losing his property” (Caesar Julius, par 5). Caesar refused and found escape in the military, serving first in the province of Asia and then in Cilicia. Following the death of Sulla, Caesar returned to Rome to begin his career...

Words: 2118 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Brutus As A Leader: Comparing Caesar And Marc Antony

...Being a leader Comes with many responablities meaning having to take over the act of running things that may be way out of your hands. I honestly believe that Brutus would make a better leader than Caesar and Marc Antony combined.Brutus is the only one who takes the feelings of the Roman people into considereation ,and worry about how they feel, he is the kind of person to tke charge on a situation and to see what he can do to the fix the situation  I say that he is the kind of person to take charge on something because when he doesnt like something done by the goverment he feels the need to say something about it and try o fix it.  Brutus is a very smart man, there was a big reason as to why he wantd Caesar dead, which he had a big point...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Julius Caesar Study

...1. As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of paralellism because Brutus says I ___ for him, as he was ______. These repeated phrases then form paralleism in the sentence. 2. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of anaphora because the same groups of words “who is here” and “if any speak, for him I have offended” are repeated at the beginnings of successive clauses 3. For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men— This line from Antony’s speech is an example of antimetabole because the words honourable men are repeated in succcessive lines, in reverse grammatical order. 4. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more This sentence from Brutus’s speech is an example of antithesis because there is a contrast between loving Caesar less and loving Rome more. 5. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of isocolon because each successful clause is paralell in length.( 4 words each). Julius Caesar...

Words: 1183 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Devices in Jc

...1. As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of paralellism because Brutus says I ___ for him, as he was ______. These repeated phrases then form paralleism in the sentence. 2. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of anaphora because the same groups of words “who is here” and “if any speak, for him I have offended” are repeated at the beginnings of successive clauses 3. For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men— This line from Antony’s speech is an example of antimetabole because the words honourable men are repeated in succcessive lines, in reverse grammatical order. 4. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more This sentence from Brutus’s speech is an example of antithesis because there is a contrast between loving Caesar less and loving Rome more. 5. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. This line from Brutus’s speech is an example of isocolon because each successful clause is paralell in length.( 4 words each). Julius Caesar...

Words: 1183 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Literature of the Renaissance

...Chapter II: literature of the renaissance (End of the 15th - beginning of the 17th century) In the 15th - 16th centuries capitalist relation began to develop in Europe. The former townspeople became the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie fought against feudalism because it held back the development of capitalism. The decay of feudalism and the development of capitalist relation were followed by a great rise in the cultural life of Europe. There was an attempt at creating a new culture which would be free from the limitation of the feudal ideology of the Middle Ages. The epoch was characterized by a thirst for knowledge and discoveries, by a powerful development of individuality. It was then that great geographical discoveries of Columbus, Magellan and other travelers as well as astronomical discoveries of Copernicus, Bruno, Galilei were made. The invention of the printing press (Fyodorov in Russia, Guttenberg in Germany, Caxton in England) contributed to the development of culture in all European countries. Universities stopped being citadels of religious learning and turned into centers of humanist study. There was a revival of interest in the ancient culture of Greece and Rome ("Renaissance" is French for "rebirth"). The study of the works of ancient philosophers, writers, and artists helped the people to widen their outlook, to know the world and man's nature. On the basis of both the ancient culture and the most progressive elements of the culture of the...

Words: 8940 - Pages: 36

Premium Essay

Science

...rhetorical questions are rarely meant for pure, comedic effect. A carefully crafted question can, if delivered well, persuade an audience to believe in the position(s) of the speaker. In simple terms, it is a question asked more to produce an effect than to summon an answer. Negative assertions Often a rhetorical question is intended as a challenge, with the implication that the question is difficult or impossible to answer. Thus the question functions as a negative assertion. For example, What have the Romans ever done for us? (Monty Python's Life of Brian) should be read as The Romans have never done anything for us. Similarly, when Shakespeare lets Mark Antony exclaim: Here was a Caesar! when comes such another? (Julius Caesar, Act 3, scene 2, 257), it functions as an assertion that Caesar possessed rare qualities that may not be seen again for a long time, if ever. Such negative assertions may function as positives in sarcastic contexts. For example, when a speaker repeats a statement reported to have been found true and adds a sarcastic Who knew?, the question functions as an assertion that the truth of the preceding statement was – or should have been – already utterly obvious: Smoking can lead to lung cancer. Who knew?!" [edit] Rhetorical questions as metaphors One common form is where a...

Words: 1002 - Pages: 5