Analyze the rhetorical strategies and audience appeals Cassius uses to discredit Caesar and persuade Brutus to take Caesar's place in act 1, scene 2: "I know that virtue to be in you. . . . The torrent roar'd and we did buffet it."

In this speech in act 1, scene 2, Cassius uses a variety of rhetorical methods to discredit Caesar and encourage Brutus to think of taking Caesar's place. First of all, Cassius attacks Caesar on a personal level in an attempt to make Caesar look bad to Brutus. Secondly, Cassius employs personal appeals to Brutus to coax Brutus toward his way of thinking. Additionally, Cassius asks rhetorical questions, ones that do not really require an answer in order to be effective in impacting the workings of Brutus's mind.
Cassius makes a personal attacks on Caesar's character when he mentions an incident to Brutus during which Caesar apparently suggested he and Cassius swim in the stormy Tiber. This action endangered them both before Caesar grew too weak himself and required Cassius to rescue him. Somehow, this story is supposed to persuade Brutus that Caesar is unfit to lead. Cassius follows this episode immediately with a description of Caesar's experience in Spain with a fever that impacted his ability to speak. Both of these tales are intended by Cassius to make Caesar appear unqualified, but they do not actually relate very closely to Caesar's true leadership abilities.
Cassius also attempts to woo Brutus by complimenting him and comparing him to to Caesar. This kind of emotional appeal is manipulative, and Cassius tries to ingratiate himself with Brutus, tricking Brutus into thinking Cassius is trustworthy. Cassius seems to sincerely appreciate Brutus's sense of honor, which makes Cassius's direct comparison of Brutus to Caesar all the more effective when Cassius tries to cast Caesar in a dishonorable light.
Finally, Cassius uses rhetorical questions, asking Brutus to ponder with him the reasons behind the needless elevation of the name Caesar. Cassius wants to know what makes the name "Caesar" any more special than "Brutus." Additionally, what sort of food is Caesar eating that makes him so great? These rhetorical questions do not require answers from Brutus, as they are meant simply to plant seeds of doubt in Brutus's mind about Caesar's worthiness.