Rhetorical Analysis Of Brutus Speech Essay Example

Do you know why this speech is a perfect example of rhetorical devices? Well it shows a variety of the main three rhetorical devices: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. It also shows some minor rhetorical devices like anaphora, rhetorical question, and antithesis, which can lead to a big development in the speech. The rhetorical devices used in this speech are used for persuading people to convince them that killing Julius Caesar was a good thing. 

The first rhetorical device that is being used is ethos. Brutus says, “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” The minor rhetorical device that is used is anaphora. Brutus is attacking Caesar's character, which is an example of ethos. He is also using a sort of repetition called anaphora to get over the fact that Brutus loved Caesar. And instead he is trying to say that even though they were best friends he did what he did for the greater good of Rome. 

The second rhetorical device that is being used is pathos. Brutus asks, “Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Ceasar were dead, to live all free man?” This is an example of a rhetorical question because who is actually going to answer. People already know the answer to the question, so there is no point in answering it. The reason this fits so well is because Brutus is asking the people what they would rather have. Be free? Or be a slave? He is appealing to their emotions to persuade them that killing Caesar was a good thing.