An Analysis of the Ethos, Pathos, and Logos of Mark Antonys Speech in William Shakespeares Play Julius Caesa

In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Mark Antony delivers a more effective

speech than Marcus Brutus using the techniques, ethos, pathos, and logos. During the funeral,

both Antony and Brutus give very convincing and persuading speeches, but overall Antony had delivered the better speech

Ethos, the first technique used in both speeches, is used to gain the trust of the audience. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.”(3.2). Brutus, must make his point clear to the citizens that he did not kill Caesar with malicious intent, but for the sake of the country. He does this so the sudden new of Caesar’s death doesn’t shock the citizens and create chaos all

around. “My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar. And I must pause till it come back to me.” (3.2). Since, Antony delivers his speech after Brutus, he must make sure the audience does not believe him to be a conspirator, he must gain the trust of the citizens. By stating that his heart lies with Caesar, he makes his emotions and feelings clear about Caesar’s death. Unlike the triumphant feeling that they received from Brutus’s speech, they get the sad and mourning feeling from Antony. Antony truly cared for Caesar and the death had really shocked him and his speech really reflects on that. In the end, Antony wins over the crowd with his emotion filled speech of mourning, gaining the overall trust and people on his side.

Pathos, the next technique used to win over the crowd emotionally and mentally. “Who is here so vile that will not love his country?” (3.2). This rhetorical question hits hard on the emotions of very loyal Romans. This question has an obvious answer to all the Romans, there’s no place sweeter than home. Although some may be devastated by the death of Caesar, most others would throw away their admiration of Caesar for their country. The idea comes down to loyalty. “You all did love him once, not without cause: What causes withholds you then, to mourn for him.” (3.2). This rhetorical question questions the love that the citizens had for Caesar,

and why they had worshipped him. Like stated before, this question can easily be thrown away

for the sake of the country, no one likes to be called a traitor. Hence, the winner of this strategy is

Brutus.

The final strategy is logos, a way to sway the audience using pure logic. “Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” (3.2). The reason this question is so powerful is because, during this time, slaves and servants were common things, knowing what these were, people would have automatically turned away from the idea of Caesar being alive and instead would have turned to Brutus’s side. “You all did see that on the Lupercal… I am to speak of what I know” (3.2). Instead of using “if” statements that may not have come true, Antony uses an example from the past that most of the citizens were either involved in or witnessed. Knowing that Caesar would not have taken the crown, they set aside Brutus’s question and turn directly onto Antony’s side. Therefore, the winner of this is Antony.

Shown in the essay, Mark Antony delivers a more effective speech that Marcus Brutus using the techniques of ethos pathos and logos in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Gaining the trust of the citizens, the support is on Antony’s side.