Comparing Speeches Of Antony And Brutus In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

The speeches of both Antony and Brutus take entirely different approaches as they are speaking to the people of Rome. The main difference between the two speeches is they are standing for two different topics. While Brutus is trying to justify Caesar’s death and make it out saying it was for the good of Rome, Antony is furious about Caesar’s death and is trying to argue that it was in fact, not justified. In the end, Antony’s speech was more powerful and Brutus’ speech failed. In Brutus’ speech he is constantly trying to justify Caesar’s death. He uses an pathos approach when he says, “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (III.ii.21-22) When saying this he is trying to gain the people of Rome’s trust. He is trying to say that he was only looking out for the people of Rome. Then later in his speech he decided to take an Ethos approach when he is saying, “I depart, that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.” (III.ii.45-48) When Brutus says this he is trying to take the ethos approach and persuade the crowd that he will do whatever is best for Rome even if it means slaying himself. The reason

The noble Brutus … He was my friend,faithful and just to me.” (III.ii.78-86). In this quote, Antony is using a pathos approach and trying to gain sympathy of the crowd by saying Julius Caesar did not deserve to die and that he was a good man. Also several times during the speech he uses the phrase, “And Brutus is an honorable man.” (III.ii.75-108) doing this, Antony is using an ethos approach and is trying to persuade the people of Rome to go against Brutus. Antony’s speech succeeded because he was more credible than Brutus and he raised the crowd’s anger towards Caesar’s