How Does Antony Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

Shakespeare exposes the cutthroat politics of Rome through the speeches of Brutus and Antony in his play Julius Caesar. This play epitomizes the benefits of using rhetorical devices in a persuasive speech. Antony applies the modes ethos, logos, and pathos to establish credibility, provide evidence, and evoke emotion throughout his eulogy to Caesar. Preceding Antony’s speech was that of the senator, and friend of Caesar, Brutus. Conclusively, Antony’s use of rhetorical devices surpasses Brutus’s; Antony successfully persuades the crowd that Brutus’s speech posed as a clever ruse to justify his cold-blooded murder. Antony’s speech paints Brutus as a hypocrite, when, ironically, it is Antony who is the true deceiver. Throughout his speech, Antony

After winning the crowd's trust, Antony must also make a logical appeal; after all, hard evidence cannot be ignored: “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?” (3.2.96-97). Antony offered Caesar the crown on three separate occasions and he refused. This refutes Brutus’s claim that Caesar was too ambitious. After all, if someone was that ambitious, they would not hesitate to claim the crown. Logically, it makes sense; this is precisely the reason Antony employs logos. At last, Antony reveals the true intention of his speech: “I wrong the honorable men / whose daggers have stabb’d Caesar; I do fear” (3.2.151-152). Antony speaks, not only in remembrance of Caesar but in vengeance of his death, too. After strategically using repetition to call Brutus honorable and establish ethos, Antony implements sarcasm to turn the tide of his speech. He now highlights just how “honorable” Brutus and his men are. He orates his fear that these men, as honorable as they are, stabbed Caesar with malicious intentions. Antony uses a logical argument to mock them. He presents Caesar’s will, which bearing Caesar’s seal to further prove that this belonged to him (3.2.241). Appealing to logic includes having evidence to back it up. Caesar’s will is irrevocable evidence. With the seal, Antony’s argument is undeniable. Whatever the will

Brutus has a hero complex; this is his Achilles heel. The way he justifies his actions makes it sound like he is taking credit for the great deed of murder. Antony uncovers this and uses it to expose Brutus’s hypocrisy. Ethos, logos, and pathos add substantial potency to Antony’s persuasiveness. No matter the motive, the crowd was bound to see the flaws of Brutus’s defense. Even though he did it out of consideration for their well being, Brutus murdered their beloved ruler. Caesar was not ambitious, Antony proves that. Brutus was ambitious, but not nearly as ambitious as Antony. Cleverly placed words make all the difference regardless of how Julius Caesar