Caesar’s Fate

 It is much easier to trick someone, when you know what his or her values are. In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Decius knew exactly what the main character (Caesar) valued, and he exploits this to his advantage. Caesar has to make a decision that determines his fate. To help him make this decision is his wife Calphurnia, who believes he will die if he chooses to go to the Senate, and Decius, who is conspiring to kill him. Both of these characters try to persuade Caesar either into continued life, or into betrayal and death. Caesar ultimately chooses to listen to Decius because he creates a better argument. Decius’s argument is more persuasive then that of Calphurnia’s because he uses pathos and logos to appeal to the ethos of Caesar, while Calphurnia only uses pathos and ethos.

            In Calphurnia’s argument there is no effective persuasion. She appeals using ethos because she is Caesar’s wife, and therefore does not want him to die because of her love for him. Then, she only uses pathos to warn him of the impending danger that she is unsure of at best. She manages to frighten Caesar out of going at first. However, she does not use logos to explain how this choice would benefit Caesar in other ways. Instilling fear in the brave Caesar is ineffective and it only lasts until Decius enters the scene.

            Decius is able to convince Caesar to not heed the warning of his wife, and instead fall into a trap. He does this in many clever ways. First, he uses logos to twist the meaning of Calphurnia’s dream from a warning of death, into a vision of glory and fortune. Caesar quickly turns away from thoughts of impending death, into dreams of magnificence and honor. Next, Decius appeals to the ethos of Caesar. He knows that Caesar is greedy, and in a quest for everlasting glory. He goes about tricking Caesar in a logical manner. Decius explains what Caesar will be missing if he stays at home in this quote, “the Senate have concluded To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word that you will not come, Their minds may change” (Shakespeare 55-58). Caesar, unable to pass up the chance for a crown, decides to go. Decius also explains to Caesar that it would sound foolish if the other Romans heard that the almighty Caesar would not return to Senate simply because his wife was having bad dreams. Decius uses ethos because he appeals to the character of Caesar. He knows that Caesar is greedy, in search of glory, and striving to become a legend. Decius simply tells Caesar everything he wants to hear, and tricks him easily in this way.

            Caesar makes the choice that he believes will benefit himself the most. Calphurnia only evokes the emotion of fear, which holds almost no effect over a brave character like Caesar. Decius uses all the flaws in Caesar’s character (like greed and selfishness) to his advantage. Decius used logos and pathos to appeal to the ethos of Caesar. This is a very effective way to fool a selfish character. It is much easier to trick someone using logic and telling them what they want to hear, than it is to frighten them, especially when that person is the brave and power hungry Caesar.

For Love

Love is one of the hardest emotions to express in words. It cannot be expressed or defined as most other words can because it is based very much upon circumstances. A human cannot truly exist with out experiencing love. Love is an essential emotion and without it life seems pointless.

In Laura Kipnis's essay titled "Against Love" she attempts to prove that love is nothing but a matter of subjugation. She states many common cliches about married life that may appeal to many readers as true. Some examples of these cliches are; that marriage will lose its intimacy after a certain amount of time, that married couples scrutinize each other more than in any other environment, and that couples must change their individuality or character in order to maintain a loving relationship. She is very intelligent to bring forward these situations and facts about divorce rates. She also acknowledges that there are benefits to being in love. However, she fails to capture the true essence of love.

No one can write about what love is truly like in a universal sense. It can be attributed to certain situations, and through those situations it may be recognized. Although a marriage can be hard at times (like all things can) that does not mean that it is not worth the effort. Creating a successful relationship is a difficult task that requires much hard work and adjusting as Kipnis states. However, when a seemingly impossible goal is achieved after lots of hard work, it is all the more glorious.

Love will always be a worthwhile goal to work towards even if it may require an individual to change oneself, be open to scrutiny, and endure emotional hardships. Without love or or when love is lost a human begins to question if life has a point. If someone is not experiencing any love whether it be from a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, parent, or family member they will feel unloved, which may be the most terrible emotion in existence. True love may be very hard to achieve, but there is not goal that is more rewarding.

One individual like Kipnis cannot judge the love between billions of people. It is the foundation on which everything is built. No matter what Kipnis says I am for love because no one can live without it.

 

Rhetoric Outline

An Example of Rhetoric from Literature

-Rhetoric is also found in fiction writing

-Other literary works may be used to persuade the audience

Arrangement

-Arrangement is how the text is organized

-Writers organize differentially for different purposes

The Classical Model

The Introduction: draws readers attention and introduces subject, usually contains ethos

The Narration: Provides factual information, and begins developmental paragraphs

appeals to pathos

The Confirmation: Largest part of text, uses proof to makes the author's case appeals to logos

The Refutation: addresses the counter argument usually placed near the end of text, appeals to logos

The Conclusion: brings text to a close, appeals to pathos, and reminds reader of earlier ethos

Patterns of Development

Another way to organize an argument is according to it's purpose

Narration

-Refers to telling a story or recounting a series of events 

-it is usually organized in chronological order, narration is used to enter into topics

Description 

-Closely connected to narration, but different in how it is aimed at the senses of the audience, 

-it establishes a mood, appeals to pathos through the senses like sight and feeling

Process Analysis

-Explains how something works, how to do something, or how something was done,

-clarity is key

-transitions mark the steps of a process

Exemplification

-Creates a concrete idea through presenting various examples

-Aristotle thought that examples are logical proof called induction

-many specific examples lead to a general conclusion

Comparison and Contrast

-Uses juxtaposition to highlight the similarities and differences between two things 

-analyzes subjects closely

-gives insight into the nature of the information being analyzed

Classification and Division

-It is important for readers and writers to be able to sort material into categories

-Writers develop categories in order to break down a larger idea

Definition

-Many discussions depend upon definition

-Definition is usually used first in a debate

Cause and Effect

-Analyzing the causes to an event, or effects that are results from a certain cause is a powerful way to construct an argument

-It is important to carefully trace a chain of causes and effects using logic to be effective at this method

Mr. Darcy's Speech

Ethos:

"I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that i rejoice in success. Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself." (170)

Logos:

"I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed! ... these offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my modest confession of the scruples that had long prevented me forming any serious design. ... Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and just." (171)

Pathos:

"In vain have I Struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." (168)

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos

Ethos focuses on appealing to character. The speaker is trying to show they are trustworthy and knowledgeable on the subject. They show that they have lots of experience on the subject. An example of this would be a father talking to a son about not smoking. Using ethos it might sound something like this.

Son, I know what your going through. I also tried a cigarette for the first time when I was your age. Now I know that smoking never has any benefits. The father is using ethos because he is showing his son that he has been through the same thing.

Logos uses clear logic and reasoning. This is done by having a main idea and supporting it with evidence. This can also be done by successfully refuting a counter argument. Logos is extremely effective in a debate. For example if a speaker was debating on a certain topic, they can use logos to win the debate. 

The speaker's own argument must be strong by having a main idea and backing it up with evidence. Also, if the speaker analyzes and refutes the opponents counter arguments with sound logic, then the opponent will have nothing to say. Logos is a good way to come to conclusions based upon logic.

Pathos evokes emotion. Emotions can have great influence over how a person makes decisions. Is the speaker really moves the audience with an emotional story, then they might feel closer to the speaker, and thus listen to and understand their points better.

Politicians try to use this all the time in their commercials and at their conventions. One example is John McCain's story of how he was a Vietnam prisoner of war. He told of how he was greatly injured in hopes that votes might feel that he has been through a lot, and thus he is ready to lead the country. Pathos appeals to emotions, and it can be easier to influence people when they feel emotional connections to the speaker.

Similarities Between The Great Gatsby and Fast Food Nation

"The Great Gatsby" takes place during the 1920's, which was an important time in American development. "Fast Food Nation" is a book that shows how the fast food industry affected America. Vehicles played a big role in both books. When the automobile was first invented it had a major affect on how people interacted. Cars became a symbol of status among the wealthy, and they also inspired drive in restaurants. Without cars both of the book would have been completely different. Both books show how the strive toward money can corrupt anyone. It corrupted the major fast food restaurants, and it corrupted Daisy so much that she chose it over true love. Money was their only goal, it affected their decisions, and how they treated others.These books captured how life was like during these important developmental times wether it be among the wealthy, or during the birth of the fast food revolution.

First Post

English class is awesome.