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The tragedy of julius caesar literary analysis: shakespeare's tragic heroes
An analysis of julius caesar as a tragedy
Elements of tragedy in julius caesar
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From the absolute power of ancient kings and medieval monarchs to the tyrannical dictators of today, political corruption has been a persistent aspect of governed societies since their emergence early in human existence. In the quest for power, individuals create furtive conspiracies to overthrow governments and destroy policies. The presence of political corruption and conspiracy in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is prominent, as Brutus and Mark Antony conduct opposing conspiracies in relation to corruption in the Roman government. Shakespeare depicts Antony’s emotional drive, ability to set aside honor, and capacity to use manipulative language as additive to the strength of his conspiracy. These qualities allow his conspiracy to undermine Brutus and, in doing so, emphasize Brutus’ flaws of uncertainty, excessive accentuation of honor, and naïveté.
Brutus is primarily motivated by his utilitarian ideals, causing him to have a weak, uncertain approach relative to Antony. Antony’s counter-conspiracy is driven by his emotional attachment to Caesar and desire to avenge him, giving him a powerful, instinctual base to operate from. As Brutus is considering an assassination of Caesar, he states, “It must be by his death; and for my part,/ I know no personal cause to spurn at him,/ But for the general” (Shakespeare II.i.10-12). By considering the absence of personal incentives for the planned attack on Caesar, Brutus reveals fickleness in his motives by giving himself a second option. He is inspired to participate in the conspiracy by his utilitarian ideals, while concurrently, he doubts himself by considering his lack of personal conflict with Caesar. This weakness is further exposed following the planning of Caesar’s as...
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...oblest Roman of them all”, even after he proclaims his rigid opinion of Caesar (V.v.68). Although the nobility of Brutus is admirable, the application of his honor in the slimy, sordid realm of politics is in an atmosphere where it can easily be exploited. Similarly, in today’s world corrupted politicians’ shady dealings and backhanded methods create an environment that makes it difficult for those honest politicians to function unhampered. In regards to the upcoming elections, the relevance of this is important to recognize. People must be use proper judgment to discern those who are honest from those who are corrupt in order to ensure a loyal government.
Works Cited
Feldman, Kevin, Kevin Feldman, Sharon Vaughan, and Kate Kinsella. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Prentice Hall Literature. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2007. 824-923. Print.
...ation and well being of a country, people, and republic. “‘This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great Caesar; he, only in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them’”(998). Although a seemingly menacing traitor to his country at first, Brutus makes the journey to a sympathetic and noble tragic hero in the end.
The play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare showcases many characters and events that go through many significant changes. One particular character that went through unique changes was Julius Caesar. The 16th century work is a lengthy tragedy about the antagonists Brutus and Cassius fighting with the protagonists Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus over the murder of Julius Caesar. Although the play’s main pushing conflict was the murder of Julius Caesar, he is considered a secondary character, but a protagonist. Throughout the theatrical work Julius Caesar’s actions, alliances, character developments, and internal and external conflicts display his diverse changes.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Prentice Hall Literature: Grade ten. Ed. Kate Kinsella, et al. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary states that “politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage.” This quote’s relevance is shown in numerous instances in Robert Harris’ book “Imperium”, which is narrated by the main character Cicero’s irreplaceable secretary Tiro. This sad yet inevitable truth is showcased throughout this novel by several characters which come and go in the plot of this historical courtroom drama. Several characters did either horrendous acts to the civilians they were representing or either plotted belittling political agendas to try and shape the future of the Roman Empire for centuries to come. These characters to be analyzed include: the former Sicilian governor Gaius Verres, prominent military men such as Pompey the Great and Crassus, along with a young and less powerful Julius Caesar, and the novel’s main character Marcus Cicero, as well as some of the pawns to these great political mind’s chess board. The field of politics attracts some of the greatest minds to ever walk this Earth, and brings these rather wise figures many privileges, but a clean pair of hands is seldom among these luxuries. This tale of private advantage in the public sector begins with the prosecution of Gaius Verres by Marcus Cicero in the extortion courts of Rome during Cicero’s early political days.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. N.d. Print.
Along with plans of conspiracy, patriotic battles, and jealousy among the characters in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar", manipulation is major topic of action. Through attempted, actual, and forced manipulation emerges a great drama reenacting the death of Julius Caesar and the life of the ancient Romans in time of battle.
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
This is demonstrated in the play by Brutus’s decision to join the conspirators. When Brutus first hears of the conspiracy, he does not show signs of being sure what to do and has a view of the issue that is biased by his love for Caesar. By Act 2, Scene 1, he is seen trying to decide whether he should help the conspirators kill Caesar or not. His thought process is guided by his desire to do what is best for Rome, which enables him to consider the possibility that the conspirators might be doing the right thing in an unbiased way. In Act 2, Scene 1, Brutus meets the plotters and agrees to join their plot under the pretext that it is the best thing for his city and its people. In this part of the play, the moral value influences Brutus’s behaviour by permitting him to believe that Caesar is too ambitious to be an appropriate ruler for Rome. By giving him this belief, the value inclines him and leads him to join the conspiracy. In Act 2, the utilitarian ideal then transforms into a source of motivation for Brutus’s actions, which he uses to overcome his love for Caesar and assassinate him. The ability to murder his friend reveals that the moral value influences Brutus by motivating him to perform certain actions that he believes will make him more righteous. These actions would be less likely to occur if Brutus adhered to no ideals, in which case there would be no force to overcome his love for Caesar. Shakespeare uses these parts of Act 2 and 3 to demonstrate that an ideal can affect one’s behaviour by influencing their capability to make unbiased decisions and by becoming a driving force behind their
Before anyone else, Brutus must justify his actions to himself and persuade himself that he is in the right. In desperation to find a reason for his decision, Brutus utilizes ethos referring to himself as a noble man, saying, “O Rome, I make thee promise, if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!” (Shakespeare, 2, 1, 58-60). Believing himself of the title savior of Rome, Brutus prepares to fight on what he believes the right side of this debate. Next, all he will need is the support of the people of Rome so they will side with the conspirators. After the assassination of Caesar, Brutus must appease the people of Rome so they will side with the conspirators. Brutus uses a similar tactic with the Romans that he used on himself, taking advantage of his honorable position to use ethos on the citizens of Rome. He informs them, “Believe me for mine honor and have respect to mine honor…” (Shakespeare, 3, 2, 15-16). For a moment, it would seem Brutus has won over the Romans. However, he did not count in his opposition, Mark
In William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, two speeches are given to the people of Rome about Caesar's death. In Act 3, Scene 2 of this play Brutus and Antony both try to sway the minds of the Romans toward their views. Brutus tried to make the people believe he killed Caesar for a noble cause. Antony tried to persuade the people that the conspirators committed an act of brutality toward Caesar and were traitors. The effectiveness and ineffectiveness of both Antony's and Brutus's speech to the people are conveyed through tone and rhetorical devices.
As a “speculative man of high motives and refined sensibility”(Catherine C. Dominic) Brutus does have his confusion of motives. Act I, scene ii, is the first we see his weakness, “his concern with reputation and appearance, his subtle vanity and pride”(Gayle Green). Yet the main bases of Brutus’s bewilderment of motives takes place in Act II, scene I, with his famous soliloquy beginning with “It must be by his death”. This speech may be the turning point in which Brutus feels better about the assassination of his once called friend.
Greed, ambition, and the possibility of self-gain are always constant in their efforts to influence people’s actions. In Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus, a venerable politician, becomes a victim of the perpetual conflict between power-hungry politicians and ignorant commoners. He is a man of honor and good intentions who sacrifices his own happiness for the benefit of others. Unfortunately, his honor is strung into a fine balance between oblivion and belief and it is ultimately the cause of his downfall. His apparent obliviousness leads him to his grave as his merciful sparing of Mark Antony’s life, much like Julius Caesar’s ghost, comes back to haunt him. Overall, Brutus is an honest, sincere man who holds the lives of others in high regard while he himself acts as a servant to Rome.
Through a well-developed cast and a complex play about men, politics and power; Shakespeare has once again demonstrated his mastery of the humanity of the characters he creates. The flawed models of leadership we examine in Julius Caesar aptly lend themselves to the theory that "an imperfect world gives power to imperfect men".
Two powerful leaders, one power hungry whose ambitious ideas lead to his downfall, the other mindful of people who deserve their higher positions. A true leader is someone who has a vision, a drive and commitment to achieve what's best. In the play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Brutus and Caesar are one of the main characters. They demonstrate leadership qualities that are still relevant to today. They are both very ambitious characters; however, they do so for different reasons and differ in their openness to others. There are many similarities and differences that lie between them. Both are noble and great men with loyal followers and neither man questions the rightness of his own path. Both made crucial mistakes that resulted in their death. However, Caesar acts out of love for for himself, his country, and to retain his power as ruler of Rome. Brutus on the other hand acts out of love for freedom of Rome. This essay will discuss and compare their qualities as leaders as well as their styles and how they are effective/ineffective in the play.
This (Brutus' body) was the noblest Roman of them all. All conspirators, save only he did that they did in en...