Rhetorical Appeals by Megan
Coyle, Brittany Bunce, and
Cicely Bunker
Ethos
Cassius persuades Brutus and convinces him
that fate does not exist and that we choose our
path in life, it is not made for us. He tells Brutus
that Caesar is not worthy of being king, and the
only way that he could show everyone that is by
becoming king himself, (I.II.90-132).
When Cassius convinces Casca that the storm is
because of "a man most like this dreadful night,
that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
as doth the lion in the Capitol" to which Casca
realizes it's Caesar. Casca then decides to join
the conspirators (Shakespeare 901-904).
At the Feast of Lupercal
Caesar's wife will never have any
children no matter the outcome of
the race, (888 Shakespeare).
Logos
Casca tells Brutus and
Cassius that Caesar
"was offered the crown"
and that "he put it by
thrice" (Shakespeare
896)
Cassius believes that Brutus
would be a better king than
Caesar, yet all of the
commoners love having
Caesar as their king, (892
Shakespeare).
Caesar says that "Cassius
has a lean and hungry look"
implying that he is hungry for
power, and that "such men
are dangerous"
(Shakespeare 895).
Pathos
But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius,
or I sink!” I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon
his shoulder the old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber did I the tired
Caesar. (I.ii.110-115). This shows that Brutus was swayed by Cassius' speech
and feels that Caesar is weak and unfit to rule.
A man no mightier than thyself or me in personal action, yet
prodigious grown, and fearful as these strange eruptions are. Tis
Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius? (I.iii.79-82). Cassius is
trying to tell Casca that Caesar should not be king because the only
difference is his name. He is not a noble man and has done no
valiant deeds to deserve the title of king.
Why should that name (Caesar) be sounded more than yours?
(I.ii.151). Cassius is asking Brutus what makes Caesar so special
that the crowd chants his name. Cassius is trying to get into Brutus'
ego and puff him up so he thinks he can take Caesar's place as the
ruler of Rome.