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Kian Anwar

20 March 2019

AP English Language

Ms. Woelke

Julius Caesar Essay

Terror raced through Rome and foreshadowed the leading events for the end of Caesar.

Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, is one of the many who attempted to persuade Caesar. She had an

awful dream of Caesar, which she believed it to be a sign of his fate. Decius, one of Caesar’s

trustworthy politicians, however, flipped the switch to Calpurnia’s dream and explained why the

dream was a sign of greatness for Caesar; Decius ultimately convinced Caesar. Both persuaders

used rhetoric, including visual imagery, appeal to Caesar’s emotions, and logical diction in order

to convince Caesar.

Visual imagery to explain the dream greatly affected Caesar’s decision because it was the

foundation for the persuaders’ arguments. Calpurnia believes that her dream is a sign of grief

because she saw “fierce warriors [fighting] upon the clouds” causing “blood [to be] drizzled

upon the capital”, which she believed to be a dangerous sign (7-9). Calpurnia’s interpretation

portrayed a summary of the fall of the capitol under Caesar’s rule, which Caesar does not seem

to enjoy listening to. Caesar had rather listened to flattering comments that would boost his

confidence, as Decius did. Decius’s version of this dream showed Caesar’s “statue spouting

blood in many pipes, in which so many smiling Romans bathed” (47-48). This visualization

appealed to Caesar’s liking because he was able to see himself as a worthy and beloved ruler,

whereas with Calpurnia, she explained the fall of him. Caesar would have rather seen himself
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loved by the Romans and become dictator rather than stay home and lose his chance of being

crowned. Decius did an amazing job at this imagery and it ultimately allowed Caesar to see his

future as a loved ruler, with glorious statues of himself throughout the city.

Calpurnia and Decius also attempt to convince Caesar by appealing to his emotions.

Caesar’s wife tries to make him feel pity for her by going “upon her knee” and “[calling] it her

fear” that Caesar will not leave the house (30-34). The appeal to pity did get Caesar to stay, but

that appeal grabbed onto Caesar only by a hair for the reason that he felt bad for her. This was

the only choice Calpurnia had to finally sway Caesar because her arguments are not convincing

enough. Compared to her, Decius had the advantage because Caesar already wanted to leave.

Decius appeals to Caesar’s confidence by explaining that if Caesar “hides himself, they [will]

whisper ‘Lo, Caesar is afraid?’”(62-63). This diction sways Caesar’s decision because Decius’s

words match with Caesar’s attributes. Caesar must be seen as courageous and not cowardly

because he wants to have a strong ego; Decius explains that if he goes, people will see him as

brave. Because Caesar is cocky and wants to sustain his ego, he ultimately appeals to Decius’s

appeal rather than the pity for his wife, because the pity does him no good.

The convincers also explain their reasoning through logic and statistics. Calpurnia

attempts to sway Caesar by illustrating that “when beggars die there are no comets seen. The

heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” (19-21). Calpurnia’s statement is extremely

valid and is completely logical, however, Caesar does not care and believes that only cowards

die so there is no chance of his peril. Caesar believes that the horrors are occurring are for the

world, not for him particularly. Calpurnia’s logic does not faze Caesar because he is too cocky

for his survival and manliness. When Decius arrives and states his thoughts that “if [Caesar] shall
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send them word [he] will not come, their minds may change” (57-58). This is not acceptable for

Caesar because if the Senate were to change their mind about crowning Caesar, he will have no

power, and thus stay a normal nobleman. This logic appeals to Caesar due to the fact that if

Caesar hides from his potential dangers, he is not seen right for being crowned. Decius is able to

convince Caesar because of this logic and clarifies the toll on Caesar’s ego if he does not go.

Caesar’s mind is so focused on staying brave and becoming ruler, he forgets the real dangers that

Calpurnia’s logic demonstrates and would rather go with his instinct to boost his strength.

Calpurnia absolutely creates convincing arguments by using visual imagery, appeals to

Caesar’s emotion, and logical diction, however, Caesar’s mind is on the path of Decius’s words,

which is why he agrees with him. Unfortunately, Calpurnia’s foreshadows were correct but

because of Caesar’s arrogance, Decius sent him to his death. It was significant that Caesar paid

attention to the foreshadows of his death but his confidence consumed his wisdom and Decius

was the one to finally persuade him.