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Revenge as a theme in Literature
The theme of revenge in William Shakespeare's
Revenge as a theme in Literature
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Revenge in Julius Caesar
Revenge. Revenge causes one to act blindly without reason. It is based on the principle of an eye for an eye, however this principle is not always a justified one to follow. In Julius Caesar, Antony seeks to avenge the death of Caesar. Antony acts on emotion which leads to the demise of Brutus, who is a noble man that does not deserve to be killed. Revenge is a central theme within Julius Caesar. This is demonstrated through Antony's desire to avenge Caesar's death, and also the return of Julius Caesar's ghost. Revenge is again exemplified through the violent course of action, which is taken by the Plebeians in an attempt to seek justice for the assassination of their Roman superior.
The theme of revenge is evident when Antony demonstrates a desire to avenge Caesar's death. After Caesar's death, Antony swears to take revenge on those who murdered Caesar,
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial. (Act 3, SC.1, 270-275)
This speech is very graphic in nature. Antony describes the upcoming battle as "the dogs of war". Dogs are often depicted in a violent way, which shows that Antony would like to take revenge in a similar violent manner as well. He uses words such as "havoc and "hell". This causes the speech to be dramatic and harsh which demonstrates his rage for revenge. Due to the theme of revenge, he desires to avenge Caesar's death, and this leads to the murder of the conspirators.
Revenge is also apparent when Antony organizes an army to defeat the conspirators and brings them to justice. Since revenge is a central theme, Antony uses much effort into organizing the army which will defeat Brutus. He must not only act in front of Brutus so that Brutus will let him make his oration at Caesar's funeral, but he also has to use much effort into composing his oration. When discussing which one of the conspirators should die, Antony suggests that his own brother Publius should also die,
These many then shall die; their names are porick'd.
Your brother too much die;
..
He shall not live... (Act 4, SC.1, 1-6)
Due to Antony's agreement upon his brothers' punishment, it is again evident that revenge is a central theme within the play.
He wants them to revolt but he says he doesn't, he is getting the people to do what he wants. “ which pardon me, I do not mean to read/ and they would go and kiss caesar's wounds.” It's showing that Caesar's will is meant for the people and Mark Antony is saying that they would love him if they heard it and would love him so much as to kiss his wounds. Antony uses reverse psychology to get the people to do what he wants without the realizing it. He uses irony to prove that Brutus cannot be
Antony is the trusted lietenant who is popular with Caesar because he follows Julius Caesar by his heart instead of getting wealthy. You disagree with the argument of killing Antony or not because you don’t want to make bloody. However, after Caesar’s death, Antony will be the best speaker to take the chance to speak toward the crowd in public, and he will make a great speech that make people love Caesar more than you, and it causes people to make revenge for Caesar.
Since the people knew Caesar because of his friendliness and how nice he was to people he was able to get sympathy for his death. When the people remembered how good he was at one point they wanted to get vengeance on the conspirators,Antony had used persuasion and reverse psychology with the crowd to get mad at the conspirators. Brutus had not connected to the people as well because he did not give as much sympathy about Caesar's Death , and what he will give in return. Antony had touched the people when he sad said that he had money and land for the people of rome but he did not want to read it because it would make them made. Once that had hit there was no way Brutus could fight back against Antony's
Shakespeare's use of parallelism in Brutus' speech is powerful and convincing, contrasting the outcomes of who the conspirators would be if they just murdered Caesar, and also killing Antony. In this passage, Brutus' effectual conscience is somewhat hindering him from accepting the invitation into the conspiracy. However, he surpasses his principles by esteeming the ruler's murder and diverting the dishonor onto another deed. When Brutus describes the leader's demise as "necessary" (II.1.191) and "a dish fit for the gods" (II.1.186),
Although Caesar was ambitious he was also very naive when it came to the assassination plot against him. The naive sense Caesar expedited later lead to his untimely death. Marcus Brutus was a nobleman, the people of Rome respected and valued his ideas. His ego, patriotic nature, and honesty are all flaws that can’t be masked within himself. Brutus’s ego for his family and his honesty is used by Cassius to persuade Brutus into joining in the plot against his dear friend Caesar. Brutus’s patriotic nature for Rome is the main reason he joined in the assassination. In the play Brutus confesses that he isn’t doing it out of jealousy but to save the Roman people. Antony was loyal individual, he honored Caesar and wanted him to become the dictator of Rome. Throughout the play you notice Antony’s loyalty, even after Caesar dies. Antony wants the conspirators to pay for the actions of killing his friend by persuading the Roman people to turn against Brutus and Cassius. Antony tricks the conspirators into thinking that he is their accomplice. Cassius was a jealous man but he was also very knowledgeable. He hated the fact that Caesar had gained all of this power over the Roman people and decided . He had
Brutus called for Antony to come back and talk to him. Antony complies and while they talk he promises not to be vengeful, which Brutus believed. During Brutus’s explanation for killing Caesar he says that he only did it for the good of Rome. Antony then says, “I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, / Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.” Antony is implying that the conspirators killed Caesar rank. Antony also seems to be asking if they plan to kill anyone else for power. Even though Brutus had given the reason for Caesar’s death, Antony still wants revenge, though Brutus does not know
In Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, we are introduced to many characters. This play is primarily about betrayal and loyalty, trying to find out the wrongs of everyone and anyone and finding a way to turn their lives upside down. These series of betrayals is something that continues to develop throughout the entire play. The idea of Betrayal is something that this play expresses very diversely, and can be thought of in different ways. While Brutus seems to be someone who has the best intentions of Rome, he did have for anyone who directly involved with him.
In Act 1 sc. 2, Cassius and Brutus discuss their concerns with Caesar’s ruling. Cassius prods Brutus with the question, “Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.” Brutus responded with “I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well” (19). Brutus is at war with himself because he views Caesar as his friend, but believes his actions to be a danger to the Roman people however, he does not acknowledge the possibility of overthrowing him yet. Only when presented with the concerns of the anonymous citizens does he contemplate any bloodshed. When the other conspirators want to clean house and annihilate everyone in power, Brutus states, “For Antony is but a limb of Caesar: Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius” (61). He makes this statement to ensure the common eyes view their actions as a noble act because Brutus is involved solely for the interest of the Roman people. Sadly, the forged letters deceived Brutus and the people rioted against their deed. In the midst of the civil war, Brutus kills himself due to grief. When Antony and Octavius discover his corpse, Antony says, “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” (209). Caesar’s right-hand man Antony recognized Brutus
In William Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, Caesar is assassinated, and the city of Rome becomes enraged, demanding the death of the conspirators that murdered him. Brutus, one of the main assassins, talks to the mob and persuades them to understand that they are at an advantage without Caesar, the tyrant, as the dictator of Rome. He then leaves Mark Antony, who has meticulous orders to not try to pin the murder on the conspirators’ selfishness, but can speak numerous praises about his superior. Mark Antony then speaks to the persuaded crowd about Caesar’s endeavors and the benefits that Caesar gave to the kingdom, giving everything that was necessary and more. Mark Antony’s speech riles the citizens of Rome to mutiny without actually revealing his personal intentions of wishing to do so. In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Mark Antony’s speech is more persuasive that Brutus’ speech
Later, the question of whether or not to kill Antony is brought up by the
Throughout history, revenge, or vengeance, has been altered by several cultures and even the American culture. This is shown throughout many ancient greek epics. Throughout these two epics, what is just revenge and what the action of revenge is are much different than what Revenge is seen through today’s society. Revenge is the main theme in The Iliad, with Achilles’ revenge on Agamemnon and Hector, and in The Odyssey, with Poseidon’s revenge on Odysseus and Odysseus’s revenge on the Suitors, and these epics define how revenge was seen in the ancient Greek world.
He passionately described the deeds Caesar performed in behalf of the citizens of Rome, which clearly contradict the opinion of the conspirators that Caesar was too ambitious. Antony carefully uses irony in referring to Cassius and Brutus as honorable men; the strategy wins over the citizens and they listen with growing anger to his words. He leads the citizens to the body and begins to show the brutal results of the murder while simultaneously influencing them to believe that the conspirators are murderers and traitors. Ultimately, Antony reads Caesar’s will, which leaves his parks, private estates, and newly planted gardens to the citizens of Rome.
Antony is a good friend of Caesar ,and trying to make his death be recognized . In act III, scene 2 Julius Caesar gets killed and Antony say a speech for his funeral .In the play ( Julius Caesar ) by William Shakespeare , Antony is trying to get the people of Rome to see the wrong the wrong that others did and to change their mind to see Caesar is a honorable with a caring heart.
The conspirators, Brutus and Cassius being the most important, assassinate Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius, better known as Antony, and Octavius Caesar, Caesar's heir to the throne, revenge Caesar's death. Antony convinces the Roman populous to destroy the conspirators and eventually begins a war with Cassius and Brutus' armies. Both Cassius and Brutus commit suicide to save their honor, and Antony and Octavius win the war. The characterizations of Brutus and Cassius show a distinct contrast in their character traits and motives for the assassination of Julius Caesar. The play Julius Caesar depicts Brutus to be an extremely noble being who is well respected and honored by all Romans, even his enemies.
Act III Scene II of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare describes the conspiracy and death of Julius Caesar. By comparing and contrasting Brutus' and Antony's claims, it is evident that Antony's speech was more effective.