Julius Caesar Ethos Pathos Logos

In the two speeches made by Brutus and Antony at Caesar’s funeral, both characters used different methods in persuading the audience. Taking into mind who the audience was, what they knew about what had occurred, and how the information was presented all contributed to the way that the audience perceived it. While Brutus used more logos, or the use of logic and reason, while Antony used pathos to appeal to the Roman people’s emotions (Delaney). Both speeches also used different rhetorical devices to sway the crowd. With that being said, one speech proved more effective than the other. The first speech made was spoken by Brutus after Caesar’s murder. Brutus went through to say that Caesar was too ambitious, and for that reason …show more content…
Throughout Antony’s speech, he used ethos to provide evidence that Caesar did not deserve to be murdered. Antony refers back to when Caesar denied the crown, and says an ambitious man would have jumped at the opportunity (III, ii, 97-100). Antony also uses logos to support his credibility, saying that he knew Caesar and he was a good man who did not earn his tragic fate. Antony also calls the audience “friends” in his opening line of his speech. He does this to make the crowd feel that Antony is one of them, and that he is trustworthy. While comparing his speech to Brutus’s, Antony gives his true intent discreetly, instead of coming out into the open quite like Brutus. Antony also sarcastically uses the word “honorable” to describe Brutus and the conspirators by mocking them and how the people view them (III, ii, …show more content…
Studies show that during a debate, going last is better because that person then has an opportunity to persuade the audience by countering arguments made by their predecessors (Taking Full Advantage). Antony also had more experience in delivering speeches, and was a better orator than Brutus. Knowing who he was talking to and what their education level of the matter was turned out to be crucial in the overall outcome. Also, Brutus told the people that the death of Caesar gave them their freedom from becoming slaves, but Antony told the people of Caesar’s will, which gave them each an amount of 75 drachmas (III, ii, 242-244). The audience did not care so much about the possibility of them becoming slaves as much as they cared about the money they would be receiving. Antony also provoked the crowd by telling them of Caesar’s will, but did not want to read them it in fears that it would “stir up” the people (III, ii, 212). This only made the crowd want to hear it more, which is exactly the reaction that the skilled orator Antony hoped for and expected from the easily swayed Roman people. This is ironic as Antony says Brutus is a skilled orator, while obviously he is