English

THE POWER OF PERSUASION
In the art of persuasive power we hurl learned a great deal. Mark Antonys funeral spoken language is an exemplary masterwork of persuasion. Had he stated at the outset what his intentions were, he would have been ambushed and killed. Rather he carefully adopted a cautious lateral approach; adapted his approach by appearing to go along with the conspirators and ironically using Brutuss words to make it appear he accepts their justifications for the brutal murder of Caesar. To turn the fickle crowd around to his way of thinking he continues to use the words of the conspirators against themselves and instead of lofty pluck principles, appeals to concrete examples of Caesars generosity and good governance.
While Shakespeare has Brutus deal in prose, Antony speaks, as most great Shakespearean speeches; in poetry; high, classical iambic pentameter. He is out to cajole their hearts and minds and subtly appeals to their personal self interest. His setoff tale Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears has become a time cherished devise of intimacy and a call to patriotism.
Antonys disarming and misrepresented statement I come to bury Caesar, not to approbation him is followed by a subtle shift:
The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious.
If it were so, it was a grievous fault, 3.2.



79 80
The small subordinate conjunction if casts the first doubt on the claims of the conspirators. This is followed by proclamations of friendship; he was my friend, tightlipped and just to me.
On firmer ground Antony turns his attentions to concrete undeniable attest of Caesars benevolence and altruism;
He hath brought many captives radical to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? 3.2. 89 - 91
Further, Caesar was in tune with the people;
When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
dreaming should be made of sterner stuff… 3.2. 92 -...If you want to claim a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .