Many of Shakespeare's plays explore the issue of political power. These works investigate
how political power is acquired; how it is wielded; and most importantly how it effects the
individual. Shakespeare seeks to illustrate through the tragic lives of his characters Coriolanus,
Julius Caesar, and Marcus Antony that political power is a destructive force when it is not
respected and utilized responsibly.
The character Coriolanus was a man accustomed to power. He was a great warrior skilled
in the art of physical domination and was adept at controlling thousands of men. Coriolanus was
comfortable in his position as a leader of the armies of Rome because no one questioned his
authority. In his capacity as a soldier, he gained great wealth, fame and respect. He received quite
a different reception though when he attempted to enter into the world of politics.
Coriolanus began his foray into the political arena upon his triumphant return from the
battle of Corioli. He had done many great deeds for the city of Rome and had spilt much of his
own blood in the process. Several people-including his friend, Menenius and his mother,
Volumina-believe that due to his heroic accomplishments Coriolanus should be given a position
as Consul. During his bid for consulship, Coriolanus reveals however, that he is in no way ready
or able to exercise the responsibility that comes with the attainment of political power.
Flaws in Coriolanus' character come to light which suggest that he would not excel as
leader of the people. One significant problem is that he has a great distain for the common man.
Although once loved for his victories, he is viewed as an enemy of the peo...
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...eption, Antony mistakenly takes his own life believing that Cleopatra has
already taken that final step.
Marcus Antony was unable to handle his political power because he allowed an obsession
to overtake his life. He gave up his wife, his home and his power for the love of the Queen of
Egypt, a woman who was eventually responsible for his death. Antony's lack of political
responsibility instigated war and caused the deaths of many people, including his own.
The characters of Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Antony are all changed in
some way by the appeal of political power. Some were corrupted while others were lost in its
intoxication. All three plays suggested that to be a politician one had tread carefully. If you
allowed the power to overtake you, it could cost you your career, your humanity or even your
life.
taught the acutes how to play cards and he taught them to gamble. His very
was to make himself supreme in Europe. As a start, he planned to conquer all
people. He had a big ego and was obviously used to being in charge. When Cassius
on the side of the King. In addition to this he soon gained control of
Cicero was a man that was destined to stand out in the Roman world as a figure of great importance. His life was one of service to his country in a time full of obstacles in which he was cast into the middle of. He gave his life in an effort to further the Roman Republic. His letters are a snapshot into the times surrounding the events of the day, and gives us a glimpse into what the Romans were struggling for, and what they did achieve during this time
was very involved in the public and even helped some campaigns in his time . Over all
Julius Caesar gained his fame and power over the people of Rome coming home victorious in the battles. He won the people's hearts by throwing them parties and
... Faith and trust in God helped him to be a leader for the people.
The people viewed this as modest and humble, however Caesar probably did this as a political statement. Several times throughout the story, Caesar’s main flaw he demonstrates is his pompous, inflated sense of self. At one point he states, “I am as constant as the Northern Star,” (97) He compares himself as the definitive way or the end-all-be-all which sounds arrogant. However, after his death the mob mentality emerged and dictated chaos throughout Rome; he seemed to actually be the Northern Star and the glue that kept the peace of Roman society together during that time. Another example of his inflated confidence is when Julius says, “Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he.” (77) He essentially states “Danger is my middle name” in a more elegant and appropriate phrasing during Ancient Rome. Although Caesar probably already possessed a narcissistic personality, his subjects definitely fed into his self-righteous image. Their wishy-washy behavior dictated how many of the events played out throughout the story. In the beginning of the story, Marullus judges the citizens for glorifying Caesar after he defeated Pompey. Not only had Caesar defied
He defended an amazingly diverse clientele, dealing with the issue of slaves (pro Q. Roscio comoedo in 76), inheritance (pro Caecina in 69), citizenship (pro Archia in 62), and bribery (pro Cn. Plancio in 54), as well as causes such as the Catiline Conspiracy, which he attacked in four speeches in November of 63. He also countered Caesar's command in Gaul in 56 and, of course, directed the Philippics at Marc Antony in 43.(Bunson).
From the analysis above, although he never fully matches Odysseus either in wisdom or courage, we cannot deny their highly resemblance in initiative, sensitivity and socialization. Influenced by his father not only by hearing the great deeds spread by people but also fight with him for vengeance, he follows his father’s step and comes to his manhood.
It provided him with clarity and level-headedness because he was free from the distractions of his previous life’s luxuries. Although his departure from the palace was necessary for him to pursue enlightenment, the way in which it was executed was selfish
Some theorists believe that ‘power is everywhere: not because it embraces everything, but because it comes from everywhere… power is not an institution, nor a structure, nor possession. It is the name we give to a complex strategic situation in a particular society. (Foucault, 1990: 93) This is because power is present in each individual and in every relationship. It is defined as the ability of a group to get another group to take some form of desired action, usually by consensual power and sometimes by force. (Holmes, Hughes &Julian, 2007) There have been a number of differing views on ‘power over’ the many years in which it has been studied. Theorist such as Anthony Gidden in his works on structuration theory attempts to integrate basic structural analyses and agency-centred traditions. According to this, people are free to act, but they must also use and replicate fundamental structures of power by and through their own actions. Power is wielded and maintained by how one ‘makes a difference’ and based on their decisions and actions, if one fails to exercise power, that is to ‘make a difference’ then power is lost. (Giddens: 1984: 14) However, more recent theorists have revisited older conceptions including the power one has over another and within the decision-making processes, and power, as the ability to set specific, wanted agendas. To put it simply, power is the ability to get others to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. In the political arena, therefore, power is the ability to make or influence decisions that other people are bound by.
The ambition possessed by each character, leads Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius to power. It will be the same ambition, that quest for power, that makes each one susceptible to their own weakness. For Caesar, it will be his ego and inability to heed warnings, Brutus his love of Rome, and Cassius his dedication to power. These qualities prove that although intentions may be noble, ambition can make a person ruthless and blind them to their original goals. Ambition kills those who lose sight of their conscience and although it may prove beneficial in many instances, in this case, it leads the characters to lose all that they
His father spent his life expanding and defending his young son’s future kingdom and in trying to educate his son in the art of war. The young prince however was totally uninterested in the art of war or in expanding or defending his kingdom, as is proved by the comments made to him when he is king,