Ethos In Julius Caesar

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something” (Plato). This theme becomes prevalent in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a historical tragedy. In Act III, Brutus and Antony both deliver eloquent speeches to the plebeian crowd discussing Caesar’s recent death. Brutus, who arises after Caesar’s death as the next leader, speaks only to appease the crowd, but Antony, a close friend of Caesar’s, speaks to rally the people for his causes. Throughout the tragedy, Antony constructs a more convincing argument by utilizing Brutus’ claims against him and manipulating the plebeians’ emotions.
During Antony’s speech, it becomes apparent that he strives to counter what Brutus relays to the crowd before
He says to them, “You are not wood, you are not stones, but men” (3.2.143). The statement appeals to the humanity of the crowd and elevates them to the same platform as Antony. Consequently, Antony now has power over the plebeians because he compels the people to think that they have importance as Roman citizens. Antony also uses pathos in this statement: “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar” (3.2.107). Since pathos exists as the backbone to persuasion, Antony displays his intense emotion and initiates the crowd’s anger toward Brutus and the other conspirators. Antony also dramatically pauses to weep before the crowd, allowing them to recognize his vulnerability and demonstrating the success of his manipulation because the crowd’s resentment toward Brutus only intensifies. Through this, Antony manipulates the Romans further by revealing his own humanity: his mourning for Caesar makes him seem more empathetic and grants him a way to relate to the people in the loss of their beloved leader. With Antony’s masterful exploitation of the people’s emotions, they rally in his favor indicating that, since Brutus does not stir the crowd for any reason, Antony has a more superior