Julius Caesar Manipulation Analysis

The best intentions of good, noble people can lead to tragedy, as in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Caesar was killed even though the conspirators had good intentions. Caesar was the leader of Rome and had a great deal of power. Although, he was not known as one to let emotions or power get the best of him, as Brutus even said, “And, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed more than his reason.” (2.1 19-21) . However, the conspirators felt that rulers abuse their powers when they separate it from compassion: “Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” (2.1 18-19) Brutus was concerned that Caesar was ambitious and that alongside power he could become dangerous.

Words are more powerful than weapons. Throughout the play of Julius Caesar the idea of powerful words is a key theme. Through speeches lies and cunning plans the characters in this play are able to convince people to join conspiracies and move people to action. This play reflects on the need for excellent speaking skills and its importance in ancient Rome, Elizabethan, and modern times.

In the novel, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, after Brutus brutally executes Caesar in Act 3 Scene 2, Antony is allowed to give a speech to the people of Rome whom have seen witnessed this fatal tragedy in Scene 3. Antony uses anaphora, connotative diction and details throughout his speech to persuade the Romans to change their perspective of Caesar and Brutus. The way Antony speaks about both Caesar & Brutus are a dispute of what he is actually trying to announce to the Romans. At the end of his speech, Antony hopes to reach the Romans emotionally (pathos) by enraging them against Brutus’s false statements against Caesar.

When making an argument to sway someone, one must first recognize when speaking that it is not so much what one says so much as how they say it. This can be seen in none other than Shakespeare’s renowned Tragedy of Julius Caesar when Calpurnia attempts to tell Caesar to stay home while Decius Brutus attempts the opposite. In Act II, scene ii, both make their arguments to convince Caesar to attend, or not attend, the senate meeting on the Ides of March in which the conspirators plan to assassinate the leader. While Calpurnia approaches Caesar using an emotional appeal, Decius decides to use a more logical appeal to persuade the general to fall into his trap. Ultimately Decius proves to be more successful in his attempt than Calpurnia, due to

By refusing to read the will several times and admitting that what it contains will cause the people to have such a great love for Caesar that knowing he is now dead will be unbearable, Antony ignites curiosity in the people and furthermore, a subconscious feeling of respect and graciousness toward Caesar. Basically, Antony uses Caesar’s will to convince the people that Caesar was a selfless, kind-hearted man and those who killed him should be ashamed and punished for killing an innocent man. Through Antony’s use of paralipsis, he is able to plant a seed of admiration for Caesar and one of hate for the conspirators in the hearts of the plebeians. In his speech to the citizens, Antony also asks many rhetorical questions to cause his audience to pause and reflect on how they really feel, or how Antony wants them to feel, about certain people and events that have recently become important. In one instance. Antony is refuting Brutus’ argument that Caesar was too ambitious and that is why he needed to be assassinated. He brings up the time when Caesar denied the crown several times and asks the audience, “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?”

Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, manipulation is used repeatedly throughout the play. Julius Caesar uses the skill of manipulation to rise in political power. Caesar sways the common people towards his favor by denying a crown offered to him three times. This had convinced the common folk to believe Caesar is more than worthy to obtain the crown. Caesar’s followers such as Casca had received this mindset as well. Casca describes to Brutus why citizens are cheering saying, “Why, there was a crown offered him; and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand thus. And then the people fell a-shouting”(I, i, 220-240).. Even though Julius Caesar held many followers, there were those who did not share this belief.

Decius’ manipulation of Caesar begins with Decius flattering Caesar, while calling him, "worthy Caesar," and, "mighty Caesar," multiple times(II:ii:58, II:ii:69, II:ii:94). Decius manipulates Caesar by flattering him. Decius’ constant flattery appeals to Caesar’s pride and allows Decius a way to connect with him. this flattery boosts Caesar’s confidence and gives Decius a way to indirectly begin manipulating Caesar. Also, to convince Caesar not to worry about Calpurnia’s dream, Decius assures Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream, "signifies that from [Caesar] great Rome shall suck," and that, “great men shall press,” treasured things into Caesar’s, “reviving blood,”(II:ii:87-88). Decius also uses pathos to manipulate Caesar’s side that wants to prove for Rome. By calling Caesar’s blood, ‘reviving blood,’ Decius is able to grab Caesar’s attention and move his concern away from Calpurnia’s dream and toward more ‘important’ matters. Decius’ use of pathos and flattery, allow him to manipulate Caesar’s pride and

Cassius manipulates Brutus to the point of making him feel as if there are several people wanting Brutus to do something about Caesar. Cassius also wants to convince Brutus that “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at” so they can eliminate his power for fear that “worse days [may] endure”. Cassius is not the only senator wanting to eliminate Caesar’s growing

Although Cassius and Brutus play significant roles in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, both men differ in their rank, views of justice, and possess contrasting personalities. Both men knew Caesar but differed in their motives to kill him. For example, the reader may view Brutus as a hero who desires fair treatment in Rome. Cassius may be looked upon as a manipulative and jealous man seeking to fulfill his own agenda. Despite Brutus’ decision to kill Caesar, it can be argued that he is a man of virtue while Cassius is a man of vice.

‘Julius Caesar’ and ‘Henry V’ are plays whose themes are reflective of their respective contextual climates. They were both written in the time of renaissance theatre under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was an avid supporter of Shakespeare’s work. The plays were written consecutively, and they both present historical figures that were greatly idolised in the period in which they were composed. Both history plays convey how, on political scenery, deceit is omnipresent. In Julius Caesar, it is used to bring down the monarchial rule and to ultimately implant a new democratic government, while in Henry V, the King makes use of multiple facets of his personality among which is deceitful behavior in order to conquer France and win over his

Through the use of pathos, Decius appeals to Caesar’s emotions and ultimately convinces him to go to senate. First, Decius refers to him as “Mighty Caesar (2.2.69)” to appeal to Caesar’s desire to be mighty and powerful. Decius convinces Caesar that a mighty man would not go into reclusion over a dream. Next, Decius appeals to Caesar’s insecurity that people view him as timid and weak. Decius says “Shall they not whisper “Lo, Caesar is afraid (2.2.100-101)”. Caesar fears people will talk behind his back and begin to view him differently. These two phrases appeal to Caesar’s emotions and insecurities through the use of Pathos.

Language, when used to manipulate, can solely cause war. Language can be used to manipulate others for the purpose of political change to the point of war. In Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, the power of language is represented by the use of strong language by characters to persuade others to follow them. War is caused by the manipulation of the senators to kill Caesar and the manipulation of the plebeians to revolt. Cassius in act 1 shows how figurative language can strike emotion in the minds of people. In Act 3 Brutus and Antony reveal how the opinions of the masses can be changed with emotive language. Language used to change the minds of people reveals how man can cause tremendous events through the use of

Antony’s manipulative behavior intensified during this scene as he attempted to persuade Brutus into allowing him to speak at Caesar’s funeral, which had major consequences later in the act. Another group that Marc Antony successfully persuaded was the citizens of Rome. After the citizens praised Brutus for his honorable speech, Marc Antony presented Caesar’s body to the crowd, revealing each fatal stab wound that shattered the beloved Caesar. Antony’s crying and speech about Caesar’s accomplishments appealed to the citizens’ sympathy, which later escalated into anger. He used his strength of public speaking to convince the crowd that his intentions were in their favor. His power intensified during his speech as the Romans started choosing Caesar over the

William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” illustrates many facts and characteristics of Ancient Rome, such as betrayal and confederacy. However, deception and manipulation are the most significant aspects of the play and played a huge role in the story, which eventually lead to the death of Julius Caesar. Examples of deception and manipulation in this play are the fake letters that sent to Brutus, Decius assured Caesar about Calpurnia’s dream, and Anthony’s speech against Brutus.

During the play, the conspirators attempt to predict what kind of leader Caesar will become after he gains the title of dictator. In the beginning of the play, Caesar notices Brutus speaking with Cassius at the race. Since Caesar is now such a powerful ruler, he starts to fear what may be occurring and voices his concern, “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look / He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous” (I.ii.204-205). Caesar keeps up a facade throughout his leadership and rarely lets himself show unease. After stating his worry over Cassius, Caesar attempts to rebuild his facade of strength by claiming, “I rather tell