Quote of the Day The pen is mightier

Quote of the Day: “The pen is mightier than the sword. ” - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Julius Caesar Act Two, Scene Or: Using Rhetoric to Get What You Want

Rhetoric • • Marcus Tullius Cicero: Seven Orations Rhetoric is the art of using language to communicate effectively and persuasively. It was considered very important in Roman times and was a crucial part of Roman education.

• • Shakespeare’s Rhetoric was still considered important in Shakespeare’s time. In grammar school, he would have studied it. Many examples of the rhetorical devices taught in Elizabethan grammar schools are found in Shakespeare’s plays. He put his elementary school years to good use! Age-regressed estimation of what Shakespeare might have looked like as a boy.

The Way • soliloquy: a long speech given by one character with no other characters on Shakespearean stage to share one's thoughts to the audience. Characters Talk • monologue: same as a soliloquy, but with another character on stage. • aside: a remark heard by the audience, but not by the other characters on stage. • Read more:

How Does Brutus Use Rhetoric To Convince Himself? BRUTUS: It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then, I grant, we put a sting in him That at his will we will do danger with.

Quote of the Day: “The pen is mightier than the sword. ” - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Your Turn • Read Brutus’ soliloquy in 2. 1. • Using the list of rhetorical devices given on the website, identify one that Shakespeare used in the soliloquy. • How was Brutus able to convince himself through rhetoric that killing Caesar was desirable?

Casca’s Forged Letters Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself! Shall Rome, et cetera. Speak, strike, redress! Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake!

If You Were Brutus. . . • • Caesar has a powerful ally in Mark Antony. If you were Brutus, would you consider it a good idea to kill Antony as well as Caesar? Why or why not?

Rhetorical Devices in Action And for Mark Antony, think not of him, For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm When Caesar’s head is off.

BRUTUS: Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him. If he love Caesar, all that he can do Is to himself - take thought, and die for Caesar And that were much he should, for he is given To sports, to wildness, and much company! Instructions: Translate this into your own words. DO NOT look at No Fear. You may work alone or with a partner, but everyone must write their own.

Homework Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards, For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. In your Google Doc, explain how Brutus used a rhetorical device to convince the conspirators not to kill Mark Antony. Explain also why his rhetoric is flawed.