The art of persuasion dates back to before the time of William Shakespeare and Julius Caesar and has been used excessively in literature throughout history. The art of persuasion has no boundaries, anyone may use it. It does not matter their social or economic status. Though the method used may be different, the goal is always the same, to get the subject to support the cause at hand. It encourages them to think or behave in a certain way, perhaps to change their opinion, or to make them believe as the persuader wants them to believe. Throughout William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar, there is an uncountable amount of flattery and persuasion. Cassius uses flattery to persuade Brutus to join the Conspiracy, Decius uses flattery when speaking with Caesar to persuade Caesar to agree with him, and Antony uses persuasive language to flatter Brutus into doing what he wants. Language is a strong factor in persuading both readers and characters in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
Cassius persuades Brutus to do many different things for many different reasons. Cassius knows that Caesar would do harm to Rome if he became leader. Brutus would be a powerful force in the conspirator's movement to kill Caesar before Caesar becomes king and destroys Rome. Cassius feels Brutus would be a vital addition to the conspiracy. In order to persuade Brutus, he uses an immense amount of flattery “‘Brutus’ and ‘Caesar’-what should be in that ‘Caesar’?/Why should that name be sounded more than/yours?” (I. ii. 149-152). Whenever Cassius talks to Brutus he throws in "good Brutus", "gentle Brutus" or "dear Brutus" (I. ii.) to make Brutus feel comfortable and confident with himself. Cassius realizes his sweet talk has done well when he responds to Brutus with "I am glad/That my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus" (I. ii. 175-177). By this, he means that his words have lit a flame, or triggered a thought in "the great" Brutus's head. Therefore giving Brutus the confidence he needs to join the conspiracy.
Decius uses flattery and persuasion when speaking to Brutus. Decius is an active member of the Conspirators so he is very motivated into getting Caesar to go to the Senate House. The first thing that Decius says when he walks into Caesar's house is "Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar" (II, ii, 58). Decius also goes on and calls Caesar "most mighty". Decius is already on Caesar's good side. After catching up on Calphurnia's dream, he uses his quick wit to distort Calphurnia's foreshadowing dream by saying it is "mis-interpreted". He explains that the dream "Signifies that from (Caesar) Rome shall suck/Reviving blood, and that great men shall press/for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance" (II, ii, 87-89). Caesar seems to be amazed by this version of the interpretation; in fact, he likes this version a lot better mainly because Decius uses so much flattery.
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