Julius Caesar

The political arena is a great place for persuasion. Take Donald Trump for example, he uses his persuasive technique of Ethos to appeal to his audiences convincing them that other races are rapists, abusers, etc. This can also be seen in Antony’s funeral speech in the play Julius Caesar. Antony uses both Ethos and Logos as a non-dominant persuasive technique, but he uses the persuasive technique of Pathos the most to really get his point across.

Antony uses the persuasive technique of Ethos and Logos as a non-dominant technique. For example, he uses the technique of ethos in his speech by saying “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” (3.2.81) By asking this of his fellow Roman citizens, it’s obvious that he wants to get to their hearts with his status of a trustworthy man, and also to set the tone that he’s a speaker, and he’s there to be listened to. Antony also creates a sense of honor when he repeats, “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious and Brutus was an honorable man.” Antony sets a sarcastic tone, hinting that Brutus, the leader of the conspirators is anything but honorable. Antony wanted to interpret to the public what a true honorable man is. Antony also uses the persuasion technique of Logos. One example is when Antony says, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.” (3.2.100) Antony does this to appeal to the crowd because who he’s speaking to, aren’t necessarily the richest. So, by him saying Caesar cried for the poor people, the crowd gets angry and starts to believe that it was wrong to kill a man who cared for them. Antony then says, “To every Roman citizen he gives seventy-five drachmas.” (3.2.256) This line made the Roman citizens grieve even more over the loss of Caesar. Antony cleverly uses logos to show how much Caesar cared for them.

Antony uses to persuasive technique of Pathos the most to get his point across. Antony says “You all did love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?” (3.2.111-112) He says that Caesar was always true to the people, and at one point all of Rome loved him, but after his death no one shed a tear. Antony also makes the crowd feel bad when he weeps, “My heart is in the coffin with Caesar, and I must pause till it comes to me.” (3.2.116-117) By doing this Antony makes the crowd feel horrible for being against Caesar because of what Brutus had said prior to Antony’s speech.