Question

Can someone write a rhetorical analysis essay in which you explore rhetorical devices that Claudius uses to persuade Laertes to kill Hamlet. (For example how he uses Pathos, Ethos, Logos etc.)

Answer 1

Rhetorical Devices are the mediums which are basically used for persuading the listeners. It may include some special types of devices or repetitions of words or sentences or phrases.

Laertes is the son of Polonius. He is brother of Ophelia. He kills Hamlet with a poisoned sword. He does this to take avenge of the deaths of his father and sister.

Ethos, Pathos and Logos are the the persuassive devices. These are used to persuade the audiences. These three terms were coined by Aristotle.

Claudius mocks Laertes. This was done to produce a sense of anger. Claudius persuades Laertes and Laertes expresses his feelings through following words

"I will Do it, and for that purpose....

I will anoint my sword"

Claudius uses the agony of sufferers to fill them with anger. He constatntly reminds them the root cause of their sufferings and he also uses repetition of words to make his hate speech most effective.