Theme Of Persuasion In Julius Caesar

The aspect of a character using persuasion is a common theme, used by William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, to tell us that the reason we make practical decisions is out of fear. Each character, Cassius, Brutus, and Antony, use persuasion in their own way because fear and lack of confidence stops them from doing it on their own. Cassius convinces men to join his conspiracy against Caesar, and even persuades his way into death. Brutus persuades the plebeians his motives for killing Caesar were not selfish, and conveniences his way into saving Antony’s life. On the other hand, Antony convinces the plebeians that Brutus and the others conspirators motives were cowardly, and he saves Rome from being ruled by someone who is not fit for the position.

Cassius was the head of the conspiracy for

He requests the speak at the funeral of Caesar, and he is granted this wish. Antony stands on the podium and reminds the people how loyal Caesar was by saying, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept” (III.2.90). He wants to remind the people how great Caesar was, and then make them feel guilty about wanting him to be dead. Antony wants to go against the conspirators, but he lacks the confidence and strength to do so. That is why he persuades and rallies up the plebeians to join his battle, and go against the conspirators. Another way Antony uses persuasion because of fear is when he persuades Octavius into thinking Lepidus should not be the third ruler of Rome. Octavius believes that Lepidus is the perfect man for the job, but Antony thinks he is too much of a follower rather than a leader. Antony even compares Lepidus to a horse saying, “He must be taught and trained and bid go forth” (IV.1.36). Antony persuades Octavius because he finds Lepidus weak, and he fears that the rulers would be so weak that they would be overthrown from the