How Does Antony Use Rhetoric In Julius Caesar

Antony the Rhetorician

In William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, there are a few rhetoricians who used their speaking skills to trick others into accomplishing their plan. First, Cassius used his speaking skills to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. Then, Brutus used his abilities to convince the people of Rome that killing Caesar was the right and only thing to do for them. Finally, Antony used his rhetoric to convince the crowds, who just accepted what Brutus told them, to turn against the conspirators, now called traitors, and kill them. Out of these rhetoricians, Cassius, Brutus, and Antony, Antony was the best. His use of logos, pathos, and ethos, along with his tricky language, indirect messages, and the revealing of Caesar's will, prove his excellent ability to convince large crowds, who had already believed Brutus, to turn to his side.

First, he disputes Brutus’s first argument, that Caesar was ambitious. He reasons that if Caesar had been offered a crown not once, but three times, and refused it every time, then he was not ambitious like Brutus and the conspirators had said. Secondly, he read Caesar’s will. He said Caesar’s will promised 75 drachmas to every Roman citizen along with his private arbors, orchards, and common areas for their use. He told them this specifically to point out that if Caesar was ambitious like the conspirators said, why would he give a way a fairly large amount of money to everyone. Lastly he used indirect messages to make the crown think what he wants them to think. He repeatedly calls Brutus and the conspirators honorable men. Several times he said that they are honorable men but also says something that would make the crowd question Brutus’s honorable status. For example, he says, “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man.” (Act 3 Scene 2), after explaining how Caesar refusing the crown three times proved he was not