Julio Caesar by William Shakespeare

Composers build on our perspectives to instil diverse interpretation of events, situations and personalities represented through various mediums shaped by their purpose. Thus the representation of conflicting perspectives within their works enables responders to experience a deeper understanding of the world. This is clearly demonstrated in Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar (1599) and Jason Reitman’s satirical film Thankyou for Smoking (2005). While the Elizabethan context informs Shakespeare’s differing perspectives of Caesar’s assassination in relation to human beings’ complexities and the manipulation used to gain power, centuries later, Reitman also explores the multi-faceted nature of an individual and the persuasion involved with gaining control against a 21st century backdrop.

All individuals, including those in positions of influence, are complex and have numerous sides to their personalities. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare presents Caesar as an individual with a multi-faceted personality, but positions his audience to accept his failings and support his position as a rightful and stable ruler. One perspective of Caesar as a manipulative figure is conveyed through Casca as he recounts the scene where Caesar refuses the crown in front of the mob; Casca sneers, “He would fain have had it… he was very loathe to lay his fingers off it”, immediately characterizing Caesar as a manipulative figure. Additionally, Cassius elucidates Caesar as a “man with such a feeble temper” and a “sick girl”. However the validity of these perspectives on Caesar is undermined by the envious and disparaging tones with which they are delivered. Although Caesar is shown to be manipulative and frail, Shakespeare validates his values of politica...

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...therto, against differing contextual backdrops, both composers provide audiences with a deeper understanding of human nature and the world around us through their depiction of an individual’s capacity to accumulate power through manipulation.

Ultimately, Shakespeare’s historical tragic play Julius Caesar (1599) instills diverse interpretations of Caesar’s multi-faceted personality and the ability of an individual to manipulate society, verified by Jason Reitman’s message in the film Thank You for Smoking (2005) in its exploration of Nick’s numerous characteristics and his exploitation of individuals. Shakespeare and Reitman’s contextual values and differing representations of these personalities, situations and events amount to a clearer understanding of how we are shown a privileged perspective and thus gain a deeper comprehension of the world in which we live.