Julius Caesar and Enthymemes

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Unfortunately, I could not find an enthymeme in poetry for this week. Instead, I chose to analyze perhaps one of the most well-known enthymemes in literature.

 

“He would not take the crown. Therefore ‘tis certain he was not ambitious!”  (Shakespeare – 3:2:110-112)

 

Julius Caesar, an Ancient Roman dictator, general, and politician were one of the politicians in the first triumvirate, an alliance between three Roman leaders to rule Rome, and its territories. Similar to the United States’ George Washington, Caesar was looked upon as a war hero, after he has defeated the rival forces of the Pompey, a Roman general.

Caesar came under a great deal of scrutiny as he had assumed the “throne” of Rome which would eventually be the catalyst for his death and downfall. His policies were egalitarian, for his time, and his populist reforms angered the elites who would eventually murder him.

The elaborate plan to assassinate Caesar is the brainchild of his allegedly close friend, Brutus. Cassius had noticed Brutus’ uncharacteristically withdrawn behavior, to which Brutus infamously stated that he had been “at war” with himself, regarding Caesar’s rise to power. Between the two men, they begin to obsess and mull over Caesar’s rise to fame, if he will abuse the power, etc.

However, when Caesar was presented with a crown, he denied it not once, twice, but three times. The people reportedly shouted “rex” to indicate that Caesar was their king, but he refused the title. Following this, Caesar suffered a seizure, yet the crowd of plebians did not mind the display of supposed weakness, as Brutus and Cassius declared it. The power of Caesar had little to do with the title or traditional displays of prestige, but yet in how the people adored, praised, and showed allegiance to him.

 

The enthymeme that has been previously displayed demonstrates that Caesar rejected the crown multiple times, he does not want the power that the crown symbolizes.

I. Caesar refused the Crown.

II. The Crown represents power.

III. Caesar is not vying for power.

 

This translated into the minds of Brutus and Cassius as Caesar was innately powerful and with the power of the people on his side, he would be unstoppable.

 

 

 

 

 

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