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Antony's Use Of Ethos In Julius Caesar

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The power of words can persuade any audience to change their minds about a subject.
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, Mark Antony uses his words to change the perspective of the commoners about the horrid death of their former commander Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, the commoners are found changing their minds on issues constantly and can be swayed just by words spoken by Antony. The intentional use of rhetoric used by Antony at Caesar’s own funeral persuades the commoners to revolt against the senators. Throughout Antony’s speech, he uses all three modes of persuasion (ethos, pathos, and logos) to make his funeral orientation a success. Ethos is a key point in making Antony an influential speaker towards his audience.
Antony’s use of ethos helps convince the commoners to take his side and influences the commoners. When Antony explains how much of a friend he was to Caesar, he convinces the audience of how qualified he is to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Antony states, “Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. / He was my friend, faithful and just to me;” (III.ii.85-86). Antony explains to the commoners that he has in fact been one of Caesar’s noblest men, an honorable friend. …show more content…
While Antony is making his speech, he says that he must step aside because his emotions are getting the best of him. Antony gravely says, “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me” (III.ii.107-108). Antony directly manipulates the crowd and then assists the commoners in expressing their emotions about Caesar when he tells the audience that he must take a break from his speech. The commoners begin to think about all of these emotions that they were holding on to, how depressed they are about Caesar’s death, and also how angry they are that the conspirators assassinated him. Pathos transforms the speech to bring out the emotions of the

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