Final answer:
Marullus's speech in Shakespeare's play contains rhetorical devices and literary elements which include repetition, rhetorical question, hyperbole, parallelism, and personification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speech given by Marullus in Act I, Scene i of Shakespeare's play contains several rhetorical devices and literary elements. Let's identify and analyze five examples:
- Repetition: Marullus repeats the phrase 'You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things' to emphasize his disdain for the Roman people and their celebration of Julius Caesar's return to Rome. This repetition creates a strong sense of criticism and contempt.
- Rhetorical question: Marullus asks 'Knew you not Pompey?' to highlight the hypocrisy of the Roman people who once revered Pompey but now support Caesar. This rhetorical question challenges the audience and prompts them to consider their loyalty and judgment.
- Hyperbole: Marullus exaggerates the people's devotion to Pompey by describing how they would climb walls and sit all day just to catch a glimpse of him. This hyperbolic language accentuates the contrast between their previous admiration for Pompey and their current worship of Caesar.
- Parallelism: Marullus uses parallel structure when he asks three consecutive rhetorical questions in quick succession: 'And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew flowers in his way?' This parallelism enhances the rhythm and impact of his speech, emphasizing the irony of their actions.
- Personification: Marullus personifies the Tiber River when he states, 'That Tiber trembled underneath her banks.' This figurative language gives life to the river and intensifies the significance of the people's uproar. It also serves to connect the natural world with the human world.