Rhetorical Analysis of Julius Caesar

Act 2 of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is when Brutus decides to assassinate Julius Caesar for the benefit of Rome. Through a monologue, Brutus explains why he believes Caesar should be killed. Although Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, he opposes the political system where only one director tyrannically reigns a country. Instead, he believes in a republic form of political system guided by the votes of senators. After Cassius started to convince Brutus into turning against Caesar, Brutus had been in agony, in between his patriotism for Rome and his friendship with Caesar. In this speech explaining his virtues and reasons for assassinating Caesar, he uses various rhetorical modes, such as logos, ethos and pathos.

In Brutus’s speech, he uses the rhetorical mode logos by saying “But ‘tis a common proof,/ That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,/ Whereto the climberupward turns his face;/ But when he once attains the upmost round. (2.i.22-25)” This quote describes a common proof which to obtain power, a man might act humble, but when he actually is at the top, he betrays his supporters. This is an example of logos, because it is a maxim, where it is a common saying. It is a broad idea that is theoretical and abstract in language. This is very important, because here, Brutus is trying to convince and reassure himself, that killing his friend Caesar is right because it will benefit Rome. By saying the unstated truth about a two-faced man trying to gain authority, Brutus is reasoning out why the assassination is virtuous. Then, with this logos, he is planning out how to convince the others into murdering Caesar. The quote mentioned in Brutus’s speech appeals to the audience’s sense of logic and intellect. In Brutus’s monologue, he uses the rhetorical mode ethos by saying “I know no personal cause to spurn at him,/ But for the general. (2.i.11-12)” By informing the audience how he doesn’t have any personal emotions in him decision of killing Caesar, he is appealing his own sense of credibility. If one’s decision is made only from his own personal emotions, then it is highly unlikely that it is for the good of all. It is only possible that the decision is for himself. Therefore, people will think the decision is unfair. However, Brutus not only mentioned his lack of personal emotion for Caesar, but also emphasized how his decision is for the betterment of all people. Therefore, Brutus established a sense

of credibility that is created through his fairness and consideration of alternative views. In the speech, Brutus uses the rhetorical mode pathos by saying “Crown him that,/ And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,/ That at his will he may do danger with. (2.i.15-17)” He is trying to approach the audience with the feeling of a community within a country by using the word “we.” This gives the impression that the citizens of Rome have the choice whether to give Caesar the authority or not. This makes the people feel as if the future of Rome depends on their decision. Not only that, but by saying how Caesar might cause damage, the citizens become afraid that he really will and perhaps destroy their lives. Therefore, Brutus established an appeal to the audience’s emotions such as fear. By appealing to the audience and reassuring himself for wanting to assassinate Caesar, in his speech, Brutus uses three rhetorical modes logos, pathos and ethos. He appeals to the audience’s sense of logic and intellect, establishes a sense of credible character as the speaker, and appeals to the audience’s emotions.