ACT III

Methods of Persuasion

Brutus vs. Antony

Strategy BRUTUS ANTONY
Lines 20-22 Lines 74 and 100-101
Assertion: “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise
“… this is my answer: not that I
loved Caesar less – but that I him” – “I speak not to disprove what
loved Rome more” Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak
what I do know.”
Translation
Translation
I DID IT FOR YOU!
Not here to go against Brutus,
but pay my respects.

Delivery: “Romans, countrymen, and “Friends, Romans,

(Addressing the lovers…” countrymen”
Audience)
Order Order
1. Romans – city ties 1. Friends – on their level
2. Countrymen – empire 2. Romans –fellow citizen
3. Lovers – lastly, friends 3. Countrymen – empire

Serious tone More intimate; speaks as a

friend, not politician
Strategy BRUTUS ANTONY

Image of • slave-driver • faithful friend

Caesar:
• ambitious • helped Rome economically

• tyrant • sympathized w/ the people

• little respect for Rome and • modest (refused crown)

people
• used power for own good
• the bad he did outweighed
the good
• generous (the will)
• victorious general
• innocent victim (back-
stabbed)
• could not be compared to
anyone
Brutus’ Persuasive Techniques:
Technique Example

Repetition: “Believe me for mine honor and have respect for mine honor
…”

• wants to prove his integrity

Mentions Caesar’s ambition 2 times

• uses it as a reason, but offers no proof

Mentions slavery 2 times

• insinuates he’s saved them
• reminds them of the kind of future they would have under
Caesar’s rule (SLIPPERY SLOPE)
Technique Example
• would you rather be free or a slave?
Rhetorical Questions:
• who here wants to be a slave?
• who is uncivilized and not a true Roman?
• who is a traitor to his/her country?
Emotions:
Anger
Relief
Patriotism
Sense of Loyalty

Parallelism: Lines 24-26

“As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at
it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him”

Lines 26-28
“There is tears, for his love; joy, for his fortune; honor, for his valor;
and death, for his ambition.”

Line 28-34
“Who is so _______ that would be ______; If any, speak ;for him I
have offended.”
Technique Example
Counterargument: • “Believe me for mine honor”
(how can he be trusted? Is he credible?)

• “…If that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar …”

(Why did he kill Caesar if they were friends?)

• All details are recorded and listed in the capitol

(what are the specific reasons why you did this?)

Causation: • Because Caesar was ambitious, I killed him

• Because I love Rome more, I killed him

• Because he is dead, you avoid being slaves

Fairness:
• I celebrate his fortune
• I honor his valiant efforts
• If I get to be like Caesar, you have permission to do the same
to me
• I’m allowing Antony to speak on his behalf
Technique Example
• calls Brutus and conspirators “honorable men”
Repetition:
(make people question why honorable men would kill)

• brings up “ambition”
(questions it and then proves it false)

• refers to audience as “friends”

(is trying to get them on his side; to show that Caesar
was his friend and the friends help each other, not stab
each other)

• Did this make Caesar ambitious?

Questions:
(proving lack of evidence)

• You used to love him, so why do you not mourn him now?
(question their loyalty)

• Do you want me to read the will?

(piques their interest – makes them want to hear it)
Technique Example
Rhetorical • Who will ever take Caesar’s place?
Question: (he’s irreplaceable …. “to the left, to the left”)

• anger and revolt

Appeal to • sadness over his wounds
Emotion: • mad at the conspirators
• appreciative of Caesar (the will) / on his side

Counterargument: • I have to side with conspirators because they are honorable

and noble men
(why are you on their side?)

• I’m here to speak what I know of Caesar

(why am I here?)

• I cannot read you the will because it will move you against
the
conspirators
(why can’t he read us the will?)
Technique Example

Analogy: Line142
“You are not wood, you are not stones, but men”

(You have souls and feelings and should feel bad for this
man)

Line 227-230
“… and there were an Antony would ruffle up your spirits,
and put a tongue in every wound of Caesar that would
move the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny”

Compares Romans to stones – now calling them strong

and encouraging them to fight