Reading Bard's Words

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English

19 November 2018

Part A. Questions

Why does Brutus claim he killed Caesar?

Brutus claimed that he killed Caesar because he was a threat to Rome, and he also claimed that he loved Caesar less than Rome. For saving Romans, he killed Caesar.

Which flaw does Brutus charge Caesar with?

Brutus charged Caesar with an allegation of being ambitious who may prove a threat to Rome.

Which element of rhetoric (ethos, pathos, and logos) does Brutus appeal to most strongly?

Though in his speech, Brutus used both elements pathos and logos but the strongest rhetoric element throughout his speech is pathos as he appeals to the audience emotionally but showing his patriotism towards his country.

Part B. Questions

Mark Anthony does not like Brutus, yet he keeps calling Brutus “honorable” why?

Mark Anthony does not like Brutus and keeps on calling him “honorable" sarcastically. Brutus was one of the conspirators and he killed Caesar for saving Rome from an ambitious man rather for his gain.

Mark Anthony says you all did love him, once not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?” Is he appealing to ethos, pathos, and logos?

Above mentioned quote of Mark Anthony appeals to the audience emotionally as he makes them realized that they all once loved Caesar and tries to arise their emotions for him.

Mark Anthony refers to specific events, hath brought many captives home to Rome/ Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill” and “You all did see that on the Lupercal/I thrice presented him a kingly crown, /which he did thrice refuse.” Why would he mention these events

Mark Anthony mentions the events to remind his audience of Caesar's greatness. He also mentions these events so that people could judge whether Caesar was an ambitious person or someone intentionally conspired against him.

Part C. Questions

Shylock admits that he seeks revenge. Why does he feel he is justified?

Shylock admitted the fact of taking revenge openly as he feels it justified because being a Jewish man, he was mistreated by Christians in Vince, and mistreating a Christian is justified for him. He felt justified as he treated Christians the same way they treated him.

Shylock relies on a series of questions to make his argument, beginning with "Hath not a Jew's eyes?" Why does he ask these questions?

Shylock relies on series of questions so that he could make Christians realized that being human beings they are all same, whether one is Jew or Christian, he would have the same eyes, hands, organs, and passions.

Some critics have been upset by Shylock’s final line: “The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I/will better the instruction.” What is disturbing about this line?

The final lines of Shylock disturb some critics as these lines show compassion of Shylock who wants to take revenge from the Christians and his final lines seem promising a bitter and drastic revenge from Christian as they teach Shylock everything about revenge and now he would all that he learned from them no matter if it be threatening from the Christians.

Part D. Questions

Which elements of rhetoric is Portia relying upon in her speech?

In her rhetoric, Portia mainly relied upon ethics and pathos, but the central element of speech is ethos as it is against the ethical teachings not to do justice (Setiawan, Andri & Muhid, 2019). Ethics teaches us to be ethically right so that no one could challenge our ethics and morality.

Portia wants mercy for Antonio. What literary techniques does she rely upon to help create a positive image of mercy?

From the speech, it could be seen that Portia wants mercy for Anthony and she has used the associative technique of literature (as she claimed mercy is the attribute of God so every individual wants to develop) that would help her in creating a positive image of mercy.

Is there anything disturbing about the speech, by today’s standards?

Yes, there is a thing about this speech that disturbs as per today's standards and it is the claim that mercy is the greatest attribute of all as it is enthroned even in the hearts of kings. As per today's standards, it won’t be wrong to say that no mercy is enthroned in the hearts of kings that were a part of the past only.

Work Cited

Setiawan, Andri, and Ahmad Muhid. "RUSTY HATRED IN SHAKESPEARE’S COMEDY THE MERCHANT OF VENICE." jurnal CULTURE 4.1 (2019).