Pathos
The most famous public address in Shakespeare is Mark Antony’s funeral speech in Julius Caesar.
Standing before a hostile crowd, Anthony tells of his friendship for the murdered Caesar and of Caesar’s love and generosity for the people. Holding the slain leader’s bloody garments, he relives the details of his violent death. By the time he is finished, the Roman public has become a vengeful mob. Anthony’s speech shows a masterful use of pathos. Pathos is a Greek word meaning “suffering” or “emotion.” An appeal to pathos is one that seeks to create an emotional effect. As Aristotle points out, “our judgements when we are pleased and friendly are not the same as when we are pained and hostile.” By manipulating these emotions, as Mark Antony does, an author can bring an audience to his or her side. Pathos can be one of the most powerful and persuasive appeals, because we tend to follow our emotions and give weight to what we are made to feel. Authors use pathos when they:
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