Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Theme
William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar attempts to show the audience the effects of propaganda through the use of rhetorical devices and point of view. A sly person can easily use propaganda to turn justice into treason and vice versa. Antony made a speech using rhetorical devices to humble himself and Caesar. The speech made the crowd believe that the “justice” behind the murder was all baloney. After the crowd became angry, Antony revealed who betrayed Caesar and manipulated them into going after the traitors.
Thesis
William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar attempts to show the audience the effects of propaganda through the use of rhetorical devices and point of view.
Point of View
“Did this Caesar seem ambitious?” When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.” “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?” (Act III sc II 89-95) Antony used propaganda to make Julius Caesar seem like a humble gentle giant. Antony argued that Julius Caesar was not ambitious, instead he loved the people. He rallied up the crowd by showing his point of view.
Tone
“Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men. And, being men, bearing the will of caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad.”(Act III sc II 138-142) Antony made the crowd very curious about who killed Caesar and angry that the great, loving general died from a betrayal. When Antony revealed that the murderers were the people Caesar love dearly, the crowd became furious while claiming that they will kill the traitors and burn their houses.