Brutus Use Of Rhetoric In Julius Caesar

Entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “Words do two major things: They provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.” This quote is relevant to the Tragedy of Julius Caesar because Brutus uses rhetoric to convince himself to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Throughout the story, Brutus’ compelling persuasion skills influence his decisions and sway others to follow his ideas. Joining the conspiracy and killing Caesar are justified by Brutus’ powerful arguments. One of Brutus’ major points for allying with the conspiracy is that Caesar could turn his back on the people when he reaches the top and is untouchable. Brutus’ judgement in making this decision is not clouded by jealousy or envy of Caesar.
The main reason for Brutus to join the conspiracy is Caesar’s unpredictability when he becomes king. Brutus says that when ambitious leaders get to the top they forget the common people that helped them get there (II, i, 21-26). When Brutus says that it is a common fact that leaders turn their backs on others when they reach the top, he uses logos. Contrastingly, the same statement shows ethos because Brutus is, in a sense, putting up his hand and saying that he knows best how Caesar could behave. Weighing friendship and fear of the uncertainty of how Caesar will react when gets to a high position, Brutus

Brutus refers to Caesar as a serpent’s egg, noting that when the serpent is still in the shell it poses no threat, but when hatched it is very dangerous (II, i, 33-35). Eliciting emotion with the negative connotation associated with a dangerous serpent, Brutus convincingly utilizes pathos. He also uses ethics by knowing how Caesar will react when he becomes a serpent. Caesar is the same as a serpent, vulnerable while in the shell, but invincible when full grown and powerful. Brutus, however, is not seeking power for