ipl-logo

On Duties Rhetorical Analysis Essay

578 Words3 Pages

In Cicero’s On Duties, Cicero conveys his message through an epistolary format, pathos, and inductive reasoning (rhetorical advice) by showing the audience how a man’s duties are to be conducted with moral guidance and supreme goodness. Cicero writes On Duties in an epistolary format; in other words, he writes it in a letter. There are historical and family implications to his message. First, there was a major civil war going on after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Cicero, a supporter of the Roman Republic, was constantly persecuted by political enemies, such as Mark Antony. Although Cicero does not specifically talk about Antony in the text, the former describes how to settle a dispute: “first, by discussion; second; by physical force...we must resort to force only in case we many not avail ourselves of discussion” …show more content…

Primarily, the letter is written to his son; however, the audience is expanded to the people of Rome as well. It is very observable to see this emotional appeal as there is father-son bonding in the text. Cicero states: “most of our moral obligation is due, country would come first, and parents … next come children and the whole family” (Cicero 8). During times of war, the primary objective is the country -- overall, it unites the people. The next obligations are parents and children (which is third); this part of the text applies to Cicero and his son. The former explains that parents serve their children, while children look to their parents for support and protection. The pathos plays a role in the message on the people’s duties and obligations. In addition, it makes the message more effective by striking the hearts of the people -- their family. As a son, my parents have greatly supported me throughout my life. When the author implies that we also have an obligation to our parents, I realized that his logic is correct. Someday, I will have to repay my

Show More
Related

  • What Role Does Julius Caesar Play In The First Triumvirate

    1292 Words  | 6 Pages

    “I love the name of honor more than I fear death ("Julius Caesar.").” This is a famous quote said by the notorious Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was born on the 12th or 13th of July 100 B.C. into a noble but poor Roman family. He served as a dictator, a military leader, and a governor before his death on March 15th 44 B.C. Caesar was a part of a unique governing body called a triumvirate. In which he partnered with Crassus and Pompey to control Rome.

    Read More

  • Marcus Tullius Cicero And Suetonius In Ancient Rome

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    In ancient Rome, there existed great politicians, philosophers, and thinkers who changed the history of humanity. Marcus Tullius Cicero and Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus were two men who faced problems of the old society and created a solution for the people of Rome. In the treatise "On the Laws", Cicero shows a fictional conversation between himself, his brother Quinto, and his great friend Attic. The theme of the debate is the spirit of the Roman laws, the way in which they are approved by the assemblies, and the legitimacy of the various institutions.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Why Was Brutus Noble

    406 Words  | 2 Pages

    Was Brutus Noble? In Shakespeare 's’ The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar, one of the main characters, Marcus Brutus, is found dead by the noble Mark Antony, and is called “The Noblest Roman Of Them All” (Julius Caesar Act 5, scene 5, 68–72). Antony 's’ statement is a true one for many reasons. The first reason would be that Brutus was a man who valued his friendships over all else.

    Read More

  • How Does Mark Antony Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

    477 Words  | 2 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, both the powerful Brutus and the senator Marc Antony give speeches on whether Julius Caesar’s death should be justified or not. Marc Antony provides a more persuasive speech because of his use of logos, ethos, and verbal irony. Marc Antony uses logos to show that Caesar did not show to be ambitious. He mentions how Caesar rejected the crown three times before taking it.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Life In Anthony Everitt's Cicero

    1203 Words  | 5 Pages

    Anthony Everitt’s biographical novel Cicero tells the life and times of Cicero in an exemplary way through his knowledge, objective historical judgments, and organization of the text. It is evident in the detail of events that Everitt has a vast knowledge of Cicero’s life, but also of the socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and political culture of Rome. From the beginning of the novel, Everitt approaches the book with a historical perspective, seeking to show what Rome was like in the first century BC by establishing a proper context for Cicero’s political life. Not to mention, Everitt begins the biographical focus of the novel with the famous death of Julius Caesar on the steps of the Senate on the Ides of March, which is at the end of Cicero’s life. This choice to begin near the end of Cicero’s life may seem unusual, but this scene captivates the reader in terms of figurative language and shows what the political instability of Rome caused, that is, the death of Julius Caesar, who only came to power because

    Read More

  • Moral Decay In Virgil's Aeneid

    744 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Roman Empire was built on the pietas of its people, which was highlighted by Virgil in “Aeneid” through the character of Aeneas. Virgil provided several examples of this powerful virtue throughout “Aeneid”, but as our texts progress through the semester the authors began to realize that the Romans had become envious of one another. The Roman Empire started on strong foundation of virtues, with pietas being the strongest layer. Through centuries of erosion this foundation began to crumble and moral decay brought this might empire to its knees. Some will argue that foreign invaders simply defeated the Roman Empire, while that is true; the real reason is the moral decay or the loss of pietas that allowed these armies to invade.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Amicitia And Pliny's Letters Of Request

    1494 Words  | 6 Pages

    Coordination between aristocrats was necessary in order to keep the political and bureaucratic functions of the empire running smoothly, and more often than not, the performance of assigned duties would have required the assistance or resources of others. This would have been especially true for those performing these duties at a great distance, as Pliny was during his governorship in Bithynia, Cicero, during his governorship in Cilicia, or Caesar, during his many military campaigns. This distance exacerbated one of the inherent problems of letter­writing in the ancient world: the difficulty of sending and receiving letters. The differing responses of the pairs to this obstacle provide an opportunity for Pliny’s relationship with Trajan to be favourably compared with Cicero’s relationship with Caesar. For although, as White says, Cicero’s relationship with Caesar was “one of the most productive connections that Cicero acquired” in terms of patronage and largess, Caesar’s use of his distance and constant mobility as a tactic of personal manipulation placed Cicero at a distance and emphasized the power disparity between the two.6 Caesar’s correspondence arrived to Cicero through lines of communication that were established by Caesar himself, and he often portrayed himself as busy as well as geographically distant, which lead to letters that were brief and indirect.

    Read More

  • Summary Of On Obligations

    1061 Words  | 5 Pages

    Before any assertions can be pressed on Cicero’s behalf, it is necessary to gain perspective as to the historical context during the time of his writing. Cicero wrote “On Obligations” in 44 BC and addressed these letters to his son Marcus. Cicero was aware that these letters would be opened and read as they were delivered from Rome to his son in Athens, and as a result he wrote in such a way that would allow for the people of Rome to relate and learn his teachings. Cicero was extremely pro-republic, and wrote “On Obligations” towards the closing of the late Roman Republic period as the transition to a Roman Empire began. His letters are primarily focused on how the Roman citizens can contribute to the betterment of the Republic, and bring to a halt the unjust rising of an

    Read More

  • Generosity In Cicero's 'On Obligations'

    1007 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Only True Generosity In “On Obligations,” Cicero’s generosity is, in some ways, not generous at all. Expectations of repayment in an equal or greater value actually make seemingly selfless acts entirely selfish, the single exception being when he says to give to those in the most need if all other factors that make a man worthy of it are of comparable value (18). Even familial kindness is an inescapable obligation as it is a never-ending cycle of repayment towards parents and expected repayment from children. When friends enter this context of self-centered benevolence, generosity becomes more complicated.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Antony's Speech

    800 Words  | 4 Pages

    Desire For Power In Act III, scene ii, lines 74-139 of Julius Caesar Antony’s speech portrays a powerful argument which he used to sway the citizens of Rome to side with him. Antony elaborated the truth behind the conspirators actions, which proved to the citizens that Caesar didn’t rule through ambitiousness like Brutus claimed in the speech prior. The scene took place moments after Brutus ' speech to the people claiming that Caesar 's control ultimately ended his reign,which he justified as the betterment of Rome. Shakespeare uses repetition, tone, and hyperbole throughout his speech to demonstrate the major fault in the conspirators plan, ultimately showing Antony’s need for power.

    Read More

  • How Does Antony Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

    414 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antony’s speech is bursting with many rhetorical devices to persuade the plebeians that demonstrates his orator skills of using ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos is prevalent within Antony’s speech when he addresses the credibility of Brutus by saying Brutus is an honorable man. For instance, Antony uses repetition of saying that Brutus is an honorable man that altogether questions his credibility in the following lines: “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious / And Brutus is an honorable man (103-104). By using this clever phase with a tone of sarcasm it degrades Brutus’s orator skills and as a person.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Loyalty In Julius Caesar

    1409 Words  | 6 Pages

    Loyalty in “Julius Caesar” Within “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, differing types of loyalty are thoroughly dissected and debated. Loyalty is a strong feeling of allegiance. Shakespeare employs different examples of loyalty to affect his characters’ judgement and decision-making. Loyalty to friends is being faithful and devoted to an individual, whereas loyalty to one’s country is doing what is right for the well being of a country and civilians.

    Read More

  • What Are The Arguments Against Catiline Cicero

    518 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Cicero 242) Cicero is concerned that the private citizen of Italy may see the execution of Catiline as oppressive and they may assist Catiline’s conspirators in further plots against the state. Cicero wants to show the citizens that the Senate has matured in its decision making

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Honor In Julius Caesar

    346 Words  | 2 Pages

    Honor links into a possible theme for Julius Caesar because Cassius and Brutus display honor or dishonor in the play. A character’s reputation or honor forms the actions that a character does to affect the outcome of a possible situation. What a character thinks is right is not always right in the eyes of another character. The first example for Cassius is when Julius Caesar is talking to Marc Antony about why Cassius is dishonorable. Marc Antony disagrees with Caesar saying that Cassius is a good Roman with a very good disposition.

    Read More

  • Loss Of Morality In Julius Caesar

    446 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Julius Caesar articulates a story of fragmented friendships caused by the thirst for power, and a war caused by similar occurrences. Consequently, I agree that this play expresses a story of lost morality in the political sphere. Caesar’s close companion, Brutus, loses all morals and exterminates Caesar. His reasoning behind this being, he has a need for political supremacy.

    Read More

More about On Duties Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Open Document