Rhetorical Devices Used In Mark Antony's Speech

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In William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony wants revenge on the conspirators who killed Caesar. Following Julius Caesar's death, Mark Antony uses many different rhetorical devices such as pathos and ethos in his speech that help convince the Plebeians to go against the conspirators.
Attempting to draw the emotions out of the plebeians, Mark Antony uses pathos to persuade them. Mark Antony says, “ My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come back to me” (3.2. 106-107). This statement emphasizes how much Antony loved Caesar and the grief he is now feeling that his closest friend is dead. The sadness he shows to the Plebeians causes them to feel sympathetic towards him, which persuades them into believing that the conspirators are careless men. To prove that Caesar cared a lot about Rome, Mark Antony mentions that, “ When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff” (3.2. 100-101). When a leader is upset about a …show more content…

In the beginning of his speech, he attempts to gain their trust by saying, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” (3.2.82). This remark now makes the Romans feel as they are all one, as well as Antony. It also confirmed to the Plebeians that he was on their side and was trustworthy. Also in his speech, Antony questions them by asking, “ Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” (3.2.99). Antony is trying to find out whether they believe if Brutus had a valid reason to assassinate Caeser. He achieves his goal of making the murder seem unethical by using his convincing argument.
Overall, Mark Antony’s speech was helpful in trying to convince the Plebeians. By the end of his speech, the Plebeians believed that the murder of Julius Caesar by the conspirators was an unrightful doing. The conspirators might’ve gotten away with the murder, but will never be seen the same by the

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