Illustrating Ethos, Pathos, Logos in Julius Caesar

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Activity Overview

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

Infographic to display Ethos, Pathos and Logos

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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.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 5 (Advanced / Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: The Rhetorical Triangle: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone)
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/7] Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts” and Breughel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus)
[ELA-Literacy/L/9-10/5] Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

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

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

Ethos Pathos Logos Template

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Rubric

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Tracking Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

As we read and discuss, identify the different examples of ethos, pathos, and logos you come across in the text. Depict these examples in a storyboard with appropriate and accurate art content. Then, provide the quote or a brief summary of the example you are depicting. Your scenes need to be neat, eye-catching, and reflect creativity and care. Please proofread your writing and organize your ideas thoughtfully.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos	The elements of ethos, pathos, and logos are correctly identified and depicted, and an appropriate quote or summary is provided. There are at least 2 examples provided for each rhetorical element.	Most of the elements of ethos, pathos, and logos are correctly identified and depicted, and an appropriate quote or summary is provided. There are at least 2 examples provided for each rhetorical element.	The elements of ethos, pathos, and logos are incorrectly identified and depicted. Quotes and summaries may be missing or too limited. Only one example may have been provided for each rhetorical element.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative.	The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations.	The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors.	Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading.