Julius Caesar Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are elements of rhetoric which teach students how to write using strong persuasive skills. Aristotle was the first to coin the three methods that discuss the ways in which a person could use persuasion.

In the play, rhetoric is frequently used. Two most notable examples are uses to convince Brutus to join the conspirators and also when Antony speaks at Caesar’s funeral to backhandedly persuade the people of Rome to go against the conspirators.

Having students create storyboards that show examples of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos is a great way to introduce and teach basic rhetoric in the classroom!

Examples of Rhetoric in Antony’s Speech

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Ethos/Expertise

“He was my friend, faithful and just to me.” Antony is justifying his words with the credibility of knowing Caesar. He is saying that he was always fair and just and that a true friend would know this.

Pathos/Appeal to Emotion

“This was the unkindest cut of them all.” Antony creates an emotional connection with the crowd. He makes them look at the stab wounds inflicted by Brutus, Caesar’s friend. With his words and actions, Antony creates feelings of pity, anguish, and distrust in the Roman citizens.

Logos/Logic

“He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.” Throughout his speech, Antony gives examples of Caesar's generosity and humility as evidence that he was wrongly assassinated. This culminates in the reading of Caesar's will, which gives each citizen 75 Drachmas and half of his orchards. Antony uses this as evidence to logically prove that Caesar was not a tyrant.

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows examples of ethos, pathos, and logos from the text.

1. Identify one example of each rhetorical strategy: ethos, pathos, and logos.
2. Type the example into the description box under the cell.
3. Illustrate the example using any combination of scenes, characters, and items.