Was Brutus a Betrayer or a Patriot? Analyzing Rhetorical Appeals

Introduction

People can grow strong bonds that are nearly impenetrable. Two friends have a great love for each other, almost like brothers. But once the power comes in, everything crumbles. And great power comes great responsibility. In the play ‘The Tragedy of Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare, Brutus has to persuade the audience at Julius Caesar’s funeral that there was a reason he had to kill Caesar. Marcus Brutus used rhetorical appeals to convince the people that he killed Caesar for the better of Rome.

The Emotional Dilemma

Shakespeare used rhetorical appeals to show that Brutus had a deep love for Caesar but a deeper love for Rome. The first appeal Shakespeare uses is pathos, or emotion, to show Brutus cares about the future of Rome. Now, in Brutus’s speech, he speaks about how much he loved Caesar, and he didn’t want him to go like this. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (Act III Scene II) (Lines 10-11). This quote represents pathos because it shows how Brutus had to betray Caesar over love. It shows the audience that Brutus was a strong and caring man. His response validates his effectiveness by showing he had a reason to end Caesar’s life. Next, Marcus Brutus uses logos, or logic, to further his belief that Caesar deserved to die. During Brutus’s speech, he spoke about how he adored Rome more than Caesar, then attempted to defend his reasoning further. “Had you rather Caesar were living and died all slaves than Caesar were dead, and to live all free men? (Act III Scene 2) (Lines 11-13) This quote represents logos because it intends logical reasoning.

Brutus exclaims he sacrificed one life to save thousands. If he did not, he would allow thousands to face certain death. This quote affects the audience by understanding why Brutus did what he did. The people respond with tolerance. The third and final appeal that Marcus Brutus utilizes is ethos, or ethics, because he gives ethical reasoning to let him give his case on why he assassinated Caesar. At the beginning of Brutus’s speech, he attempts to get the people to relax and let him speak. “...believe me for mine honor, and have respect for my honor, that you may believe; censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.” (Act III Scene 2) (Lines 2-5) This quote represents ethos because it gives a good reason for the people to allow Brutus to speak his case. This quote affects the audience by wanting to hear what he has to say for himself. The people respond by allowing him to plead his case. The author William Shakespeare used all three of these devices to show that although Caesar was extremely close to Brutus, he had killed him for the good of the people.

Conclusion

In ‘The Tragedy of Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare, Brutus is at Caesar’s funeral, pleading his case on why he had to end his closest friend's life. Brutus used rhetorical appeals to explain why he killed Caesar for the better of Rome. A bond between two people can be unbreakable and will never fall apart unless power is introduced.

References

1. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.

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