How Does Brutus Use Ethos In Julius Caesar

In Act I, Scene ii, Cassius primarily employs ethos to gain Brutus's attention, logos to contest Caesar's power, and pathos to arouse Brutus’s passion.

The use of ethos drove Brutus to listen and become a conspirator. Lines such as “ were I a common laughter, or did use / To stale with ordinary oaths my love to every protester …, then hold me dangerous” (I, ii, 72 - 78) instantly buys Brutus’s trust. Not only does Cassius explain that his conflict is not meaningless, but he also holds himself to Brutus’s own judgment. Cassius powerfully has Brutus evaluate whether he is trustworthy instead of feeding Brutus credentials. Once his trust is bought, Cassius began to contrive doubt into Brutus’s mind about Caesar. Furthermore, ethos was used to ignite Brutus’s flame within. Cassius elegantly builds an allusion to a former founder of Rome, Brutus, who “ would have

Although he utilizes an ad hominem attack, it is built upon a strong foundation of common sense and example. The common fact that a leader must be fit to rule justifies the assault on Caesar’s physical condition and undermines Caesar’s position. First, look to Cassius’s exclamation that Caesar was born as equals to both Brutus and himself. He then develops the logic through the application of a personal anecdote in which he “bear[ed] … from the wave of Tiber… the tired Caesar.” As a result, he illustrates that Caesar is not only is an equal but also physically weaker than both of them. Moreover, Cassius points out the unfairness in the world through a metaphor juxtaposing Caesar as a god while Cassius is merely “ a wretched creature that must bend his body.” Finally, he concludes the monologue with the disbelief that “such a feeble [man] should get the start of the majestic world / And bear the palm alone,” which highlights how an ordinary person, Caesar, should not wield absolute