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Pathos And Logos In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Decent Essays

Roman politician and popular figure in the Roman Republic, Mark Antony, uses the rhetorical devices of pathos, logos, and ethos in his funeral oration for Julius Caesar, in order to deem the assassination of Caesar by Cassius, Brutus, and their conspirators, wrong. The speech conducted by Mark Antony, a good friend of Caesar’s, has a sorrowful tone due to the fact that Mark Antony wants the crowds of Romans to agree with him. Antony conducts his speech in such a way to strike pity and regret in the assassinators and conspirators of Julius Caesar. Usage of pathos, ethos, and logos is essential in winning over the plebeians trust and respect. William Shakespeare’s use of Pathos in Mark Antony’s speech is clearly evident. In order to understand the concept and idea of Pathos, and for it to be effective, one must know what it is. The appeal of Pathos uses words or passages to activate emotions, and strike some sort of feeling in the audience’s body. If written effectively, the appeal of Pathos emits an emotional response from the audience. “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me” (3.2.106-107). Antony elicits both sadness and sympathy from his audience. The death of Julius Caesar, and the use of Pathos is very important in winning over the audience’s appeal. Antony is obviously very angry with what had happened to Julius Caesar, due to the fact that Antony was a good friend with him. “And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would

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