Julius Caesar Analysis of Arguments

Act One. Sc Cassius to Brutus BrutusCassius Caesar needs to be stopped.

Act Two. Sc Brutus to Brutus (soliloquy) Brutus Rome is more important than friendship.

Act Three. Sc Brutus to Crowd Caesar had to die. Brutus

Act Three. Sc Antony to Crowd The assassins should die.

Objective: Because arguments are so important to the play, it is important to develop a strategy for analyzing arguments in an organized fashion.

STEP ONE IS ALWAYS TO IDENTIFY THE SPEAKER, AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE SPEAKER AUDIENCE PURPOSE

Once you have identified the parts of the argument, PET AL the Chimpanzee can help you focus on what makes the argument work. P remise (What is the speaker trying to prove?) E vidence (What kind of support does he give?) T one (Is this straightforward or sarcastic, sympathetic or critical?) A ppeals (logos, ethos, pathos) L anguage (connotation of words, manipulation of syntax, emotive impact of images) C ounterargument ( How does the speaker deal with real or perceived opposition to the argument?)

Counterargument 88. (Brutus ) For let the gods so speed me as I love 89.The name of honor more than I fear death. 90. (Cassius) I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 91. As well as I do know your outward favor. 92. Well, honor is the subject of my story.

Premise: 93. I cannot tell what you and other men 94. Think of this life; but, for my single self, 95. I had as lief not be as live to be 96. In awe of such a thing as I myself.

Evidence 97.I was born free as Caesar; so were you: 98.We both have fed as well, and we can both 99.Endure the winter's cold as well as he: 100.For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 101.The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 102.Caesar said to me 'Darest thou, Cassius, now 103.Leap in with me into this angry flood, 104.And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word, 105.Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 106.And bade him follow; so indeed he did. 107.The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it 108.With lusty sinews, throwing it aside 109.And stemming it with hearts of controversy; 110.But ere we could arrive the point proposed, 111.Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!'

Tone 112. I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, 113. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 114. The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 115. Did I the tired Caesar. And this man 116. Is now become a god, and Cassius is 117. A wretched creature and must bend his body, 118. If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

Appeals Pathos: 116……And Cassius is 117. A wretched creature and must bend his body 118. If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

Appeals Ethos: 112. I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, 113. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 114. The old Anchises bear,

Appeals Logos: 98. We both have fed as well, and we can both 99. Endure the winter’s cold as well as he.

Language (Circle every word or image that shows Caesar’s weaknesses) He had a fever when he was in Spain, 120. And when the fit was on him, I did mark 121. How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake 122. His coward lips did from their colour fly, 123. And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 124. Did lose his lustre: I did hear him groan:

More language: 125. Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 126. Mark him and write his speeches in their books, 127. Alas, it cried 'Give me some drink, Titinius,' 128. As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me 129. A man of such a feeble temper should 130. So get the start of the majestic world 131. And bear the palm alone.

What do I do with this? Cassius uses ______evidence and an appeal to _______ in order to convince Brutus that_________. He reinforces this idea with words such as_______, ________, and ______ that support his ________tone.

Example Cassius uses anecdotal evidence and an appeal to pathos in order to convince Brutus that Caesar should not have as much power as he does. He reinforces this idea with words such as shake, coward and feeble that support his bitter tone.