Tragedy Of Julius Caesar
analytical Essay
1035 words
Introduction
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare portrays the 44 BC plot against the Roman dictator Caesar, his assassination and the downfall of the conspirators at the Battle of Philippi.
Storyline
It is divided into five acts. In the opening act, two tribunes, Marullus and Flavius, disrupt a crowd of Roman citizens who were celebrating Caesar’s victorious homecoming from war. The triumph is taking place through public games. Mark Antony, Caesar’s general takes active part in these games. On his way to the celebration Caesar is stopped by a soothsayer who cautions him by saying ‘Beware the Ides (15th) of March.’1
Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus are senators of Rome, who deliberate over Caesar’s use of power he now holds in the Republic. They fear that Caesar may decide to become the monarch. Cassius, a popular general himself, is envious, while Brutus has a more balanced opinion of the political situation. Cassius and his friends visit Brutus at nightfall to coax him of their views, and they plan Caesar’s assassination. Brutus is anxious but will not divulge this to his wife, Portia.
On the Ides of March, Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife urges him not to go the Council. She had dreamt that he will be murdered. She dreads about the omens of the storms which happened at night. He is however influenced by the conspirators to go. In the Capitol he is surrounded by the conspirators. Caesar is stabbed and dies. In spite Cassius’s apprehensions Mark Antony is permitted by Brutus to give a funeral speech in the market place after he has addressed the citizens of Rome. Brutus puts forth the reasons the conspirators had for killing Caesar and their fears of his ambition. Brutus is able to influence them and calm them down. But A...
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...ce didn’t have a right to stand against their masters.7
Kamm in his book gives that Roman people were superstitious. Their sense of superstitions prevailed over philosophical and logical understandings. They believed the suffering of Caesar from epilepsy as an act of god.8 Kamm has not stated in detail the kind of supertisious or supernatural sense prevailed at that time.
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4. Goldsworthy, Adrian Keith. Caesar: Life of a Colossus. pp. 355 New Haven: Yale UP, 2006. Print.
5. ibid. pp. 69
6. ibid. pp. 508
7. Kamm, Antony. Julius Caesar: A Life.pp.21 London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
8. ibid. pp.141
Goldsworthy in his work states that Rome during Caesar was a superstitious society. Caesar himself was not very superstitious. He was shocked by the superstitions by his wife Calpurnia. He himself ignored bad omens.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's the tragedy of julius caesar portrays the 44 bc plot against caesar, his assassination and the downfall of the conspirators at the battle of philippi.
- Analyzes how the concept of slavery is prominent throughout the story. shakespeare mentions brutus, caesar, and cassius' slaves, as well as gladiator.
- Analyzes how shakespeare mentions various superstitious and supernatural occurrences throughout the play, including the warning soothsayer gives to caesar, interpretation of the storm by the conspirators, calpurnia dream and caesar’s ghost which brutus sees.
- Explains that the conspirators say the storms were taking place as the gods angry on the romans for proclaiming caesar as their dictator.
- Analyzes how the republic system of governance is facing a challenge as caesar is going to declare himself as the dictator of the state.
- Explains that undisputed power in hands of a single person led them to conspire against caesar, fearing that power would lead to tyranny. they assassinate caesar to protect the people.
- Analyzes how caesar arrives in rome on 15th february, the feast of lupercalia, is assassinated, brutus and antony give speeches, caesar's will is revealed, and octavius arrives to avenge his death. conspirators face defeat in the war.
- Describes goldsworthy's caesar: life of a colossus.
- Analyzes how goldsworthy states that rome during caesar was a superstitious society. he was shocked by the superstitions by his wife calpurnia.
- Analyzes how caesar's triumph is taking place through public games. caius cassius and marcus brutus are senators of rome who deliberate over caesar’s use of power in the republic.
- Analyzes how brutus is devastated by the news of his wife's suicide and imagines being visited by caesar’s ghost. cassius gets his slave, pindarus, to help him in a swift death.
- Explains that caesar made more than a million prisoners of war as slaves. gladiators were kept for the purpose of combat and were legally treated as objects.
Related
- analytical
- Comparing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Julius Caesaranalytical essayShakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” Elements of Literature: Kylene Beers. Austin: Holt, 2009. 842-963. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that to establish recognition and feel virtuous amongst others, various individuals would try to accomplish everything even if means to sacrifice a man’s life.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's julius caesar portrays the 44 bc conspiracy against caesar, his assassination, and defeat of the conspirators at the battle of philippi. sir gawain and the green knight is an arthurian romance.
- Analyzes how shakespeare introduced romans to the meanings of their dreams and hallucinations in julius caesar's speech before his assassination.
- Explains that julius caesar is a script written to be read orally or performed, while sir gawain is epic poetry, which creates emotional intensity, rhymes, and uses imagery.
- Compares sir gawain and the green knight and julius caesar's portrayal of rome as a horrible place made by man that only causes corruption.
- Analyzes how both stories show that humans make mistakes and fall into temptation, sacrificing the unnecessary and giving up on belongings that are worth keeping.
641 wordsRead More - Analysis of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesaranalytical essayFrom 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.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the presence of political corruption and conspiracy in shakespeare's the tragedy of julius caesar, as brutus and mark antony conduct opposing conspiracies in relation to corruption in the roman government.
- Analyzes how brutus is motivated by his utilitarian ideals, while antony's counter-conspiracy is driven by emotional attachment to caesar and desire to avenge him.
- Analyzes how brutus' self-imposed restrictions stem from his value of honor, while antony's ability to sacrifice honor in order to complete necessary actions contributes to his success.
- Analyzes how antony's ability to manipulate people through the use of language exposes brutus' flaws of naveté and excessive emphasis on honor.
- Explains feldman, kevin, sharon vaughan, and kate kinsella. the tragedy of julius caesar.
- Analyzes how the high esteem brutus places on the quality of being honorable makes this appear as a stable support to himself, but it can be easily collapsed.
1357 wordsRead More - The Tragedy Of Julius Caesaranalytical essayJulius Caesar The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is one of great woe, but could it all have been avoided? In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the characters were warned of their downfalls through supernatural omens. Many of these characters either refused to or couldn’t see them. All the events leading up to Caesars death are predicted by characters such as his wife and a Soothsayer.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how in shakespeare's play, the characters were warned of their downfalls through supernatural omens. the events leading up to caesars death are predicted by characters such as his wife and a soothsayer.
- Analyzes how caesar's pride and blindness to the omens of his imminent death lead him to his death.
- Analyzes how cassius, a head conspirator of the assassination plot, misinterpreted all the omens pointing to the down fall of his scheme.
- Analyzes how brutus was not power hungry when he killed caesar, but for the good of rome.
- Analyzes how caesar himself was given plenty of warning concerning his untimely end, and other characters were given similar omens. cassius wanted to assassinate caesar no matter what because of envy and
694 wordsRead More - The Nature of Man Explored in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesaranalytical essayLeithart, Peter J. "History: Julius Caesar." Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide to Six Shakespeare Plays. Moscow, Id.: Canon, 1996. N. pag. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the rights of its citizens rose to prominence in europe after the 10th century, when parliaments began to act.
- Opines that the english government at shakespeare’s time was certainly not a democracy, but it was not one.
- Explains that leithart, peter j., "history: julius caesar." brightest heaven of invention: a christian guide to six shakespeare plays.
- Explains sproul, r. c., "augustine: doctor of grace." the consequences of ideas: understanding the concepts that shaped our world.
- Describes taylor, christopher w., "elizabethan government." tennessee state university.
- Analyzes how shakespeare wrote julius caesar to predict what would happen should a civil war break out in england. the plot revolves around the conspirators who wish to kill caesar.
- Explains that a "pure" democracy is direct government by the people in which the majority rules. greek city-states were self-governed by councils of equal men.
- Explains that anarchy is a government of the multitude, insolently scorning law and reason. its tyrannical despotism is evident from the violence of its movements.
- Explains that direct democracy declined in popularity because of this paradigm shift. it was attempted by the french after their revolution in 1789, but failed miserably.
- Explains that queen elizabeth was the most powerful figure, and she controlled the other two branches. disobedience constituted treason.
- Describes the various departments of government, including religion, economics, military affairs, and welfare of the people.
- Explains that neither elizabeth nor the house of lords could pass laws — that was parliament's responsibility.
- Explains that if they passed the lower house, they would be sent to the monarch, who would either veto them or sign them into law.
- Explains that the house of commons was filled with commoners elected by their constituencies, though these elections were usually rigged. the government of england in shakespeare's day was similar to the roman government in his play.
- Analyzes how cassius' portrayal of the roman mob is eerily accurate. they are easy to manipulate because they are not motivated by reason.
- Analyzes how caesar has affixed himself as royalty in the minds of the roman people. his fickleness is revealed in act 1, scene 1, when flavius chastises them for their abandonment of pompey for caesar after the civil war.
- Analyzes how the romans, like the french, soon found themselves under the guillotine through their violent anarchy.
- Explains that sren kierkegaard lived in the 19th century and had the benefit of hindsight that shakespeare did not.
- Analyzes how shakespeare knew only of the basic nature of man and the general principle of democracy. he feared democracy because he was aware that man is fundamentally evil.
1515 wordsRead More - The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar As A Tragedyanalytical essayJulius Caesar, one of Shakespeare’s many plays, is about the death of the famous Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar. The story describes many monumental events before and after Caesar’s death, which are relatively accurate in regards to what historians know about the events of the time period. Because of this, the play is sometimes referred to as a history play. However, the character and plot developments cause many people to believe that the play should be classified as a tragedy instead of a history play. The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, described a tragedy as a story in which a hero posses a tragic flaw, which will bring about their own downfall and death; though the hero dies, order is still restored, and the conflict of the plot is resolved. There is a degree of uncertainty over who the hero is play, and because of this uncertainty it is difficult to discern whether or not it qualifies as a tragedy. Caesar, more than likely, isn’t the hero because he dies very little, and does very little on his own to sway the progression of the plot. Antony could have been there hero, but if he were, the play would not be a tragedy, because he lives. If Brutus were the hero, the story would be a tragedy because he is of noble stature and takes actions, which bring about his own death. I believe that Julius Caesar is a tragedy because Brutus, the tragic hero, is flawed by his ability to be manipulated, which eventually causes conflict that leads to his own death, though order is restored in the end; this is reinforced by events in the plot, by the traits of the characters, and by the use of thought to say what other characters think of themselves and of each other.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that julius caesar is a tragedy because brutus, the tragic hero, is flawed by his ability to be manipulated, which leads to his own death.
- Explains that the plot of julius caesar contains events, which make the play a tragedy.
- Analyzes how aristotle's definition of a tragic hero stems from the fact that julius caesar, the namesake of the play, is killed during the climax.
- Analyzes how the use of thought in julius caesar allows us to know more about characters and what they think.
- Opines that julius caesar is a tragedy, but it could be categorized as history play. shakespeare took many liberties in personalizing characters, and created events that have not historical proof of actually occurring.
1144 wordsRead More - Free Julius Caesar Essays: Marcus Brutusanalytical essayCaesar was the powerful ruler of Rome. One of his dearest friends was a man named Marcus Brutus. Brutus was a loyal friend, and was always true to his country. But when Brutus is facing a dilemma in which case he is torn between the life of his friend and what is better for the city of Rome. With Brutus being a true Roman he chooses the death of his friend. With Brutus joining the conspirators, who are plotting against Caesar, they are now even more powerful and can influence the people easier. While all the conspirators stab Caesar in the back, Brutus is the only one to stab Caesar face to face. Marc Antony, Ocatavius, and Lepidus take over the triumvirate. Brutus and Cuis Cassuis took their troops in against Antony and his troops. This will be where Brutus’ death and tragic flaw take place.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how marcus brutus in the tragedy of julius caesar chooses the death of his friend and the conspirators who are plotting against caesar.
- Analyzes how brutus and cassius get into an argument leading to cassuis saying he shall kill himself.
- Analyzes how brutus' tragic flaw in all of this was he was too loyal to rome and to his friend caesar at the same time.
- Analyzes how brutus was a man loyal to his country. he was modest and did what he thought was right.
- Narrates how brutus was affected by others when the notes were planted. he was swayed towards the conspirators, but when they talked to him, he decided to join them.
637 wordsRead More - The Self-Serving And The Selfless Virtue In Julius Caesaranalytical essayIn the play, Julius Caesar there's a man named Caesar. He thinks of himself as a Lord. A lot of people do not like Caesar because he killed a guy named pompey. These men called Conspirators strongly dislike Caesar and his actions so they all get together to plan Caesar's death. Two main conspirators are Cassius and Brutus. They both want Caesar dead but for two different reasons. Cassius
In this essay, the author
- Explains that there are two kinds of people in this world. the self-serving exploit the selfless virtue, and the relationship between cassius and brutus encourages us to make our own decisions.
- Analyzes how the two main conspirators, cassius and brutus, want caesar dead but for two different reasons.
- Analyzes how brutus' tragic flaw is honor. he cares about the good of many, not just one.
- Analyzes how cassius, in julius caesar, plans to exploit brutus' honor by appealing to his love for the roman people in order to assassinate caesar.
- Opines that we can use the relationship between brutus and cassius to better understand and protect ourselves in the political spectrum and in our everyday life.
624 wordsRead More - sydanalytical essayThe plot that the conspirators had planned did not work and when they had to flee for their live, the terrible decision became more real to Brutus. Brutus listened to Cassius’s evil ways of talking him into joining the conspirators, then did not listen to his advice that was suppose to help him, Brutus, be successful. Cassius deceived Brutus and convinced Brutus that Caesar was no good and useless to Rome, but was really a lie to make sure Caesar never got crowned. Brutus, lost in his decision, killed Caesar with many others. He was easily lured into Cassius’s evil doings. Cassius is perceived as the leader of the killing, but Brutus does not listen to his so called “leader.” Although Cassius was not f...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how brutus' decision between killing caesar and letting him live should be as simple as knowing what is wrong and right. he was tied between what he knew was right, but went with the wrong.
- Analyzes how brutus' poor decision-making led to his downfall and eventually his death. he joined the conspirators to kill julius caesar, didn't listen to people, and switched his mind more than he should have.
- Analyzes how cassius deceived brutus and convinced him that caesar was no good and useless to rome, but was really a lie to make sure caesar never got crowned.
- Analyzes how antony, being able to speak at caesar's funeral, explained that caesar was "the noblest man that ever lived." this statement did not seem to strike the conspirators, not even brutus.
- Explains that brutus didn't want the conspirators to seem like crazed murders, so he let antony live.
- Analyzes how brutus changed his mind more and more throughout the play. he had made his decision with cassius to kill caesar, but started thinking about what he would have to do.
- Analyzes how brutus claimed that he loved rome, but went to war with his so-called love. he killed himself when his country required him to do so.
- Analyzes how brutus' emotions and decisions were too closely together when he tried to make a good, ration decision.
- Analyzes how brutus struggled with his thoughts and irrational decision-making. he had no reason as to why caesar should have been killed by them.
802 wordsRead More - Of Gods And Romansanalytical essayCompare to modern society, the Romans seem extremely superstitious. But then today's major religions have all throughout their past discouraged, even combated, superstitions. Also present-day sciences and technological world allow little room for superstition. The Romans lived in an era previous to this. Their world was full of unexplained phenomena, darkness and fear. These characteristics affected every aspect of Roman life. To Romans, these superstitions were a perfectly natural part in the relationship between gods and men.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the romans relied on advanced technology, social structure, leadership, and politics to achieve as much as they did. the contractual relationship between mankind and the gods involved each party in giving and in return receiving services.
- Explains that the romans hoped to influence the forces that guided their lives through ritual - the ritual of prayer and the rite of offering. the multiplicity of deities caused problems, as did the gender of some.
- Explains that sacrifices were performed for purification, supplication, or celebration. celebration is the most spectacular of all.
- Describes the elaborate and messy ritual of a sacrificial ritual, wherein the victim's head was sprinkled with wine and bits of sacred cake made from flour and salt, and its throat was cut and disemboweled.
- Explains the distinction between signs that were solicited and those that appeared without invitation. the gods also produced omens through the actions of men.
- Analyzes how romans saw disasters as manifestations of divine disapproval, and unusual phenomena as portent of catastrophe.
- Analyzes how pompey dissolved the assembly to his advantage, crediting an "inauspicious omen had been seen." the ones to twist the traditions of a people around the will of the leader will be successful.
- Explains that principal leaders, as well as the regular populace, occasionally went to soothsayers or prophets for advice and possible prospects of the future.
- Explains that the "field of mars" was used as a political-strategic tool, while other places such as marica were also religious locations that affected the lives of major figures.
- Explains that primitive societies practiced animism, the belief that natural and physical objects are endowed with mystical properties. the romans took this cult so far that they could be said to have made it peculiar.
- Analyzes how the action of prayer played a major role in the roman religion. supplication, or the act of requesting, is an action taken while communicating with one’s deity.
- Opines that the survival of a religious faith depends on continual renewal and affirmation of its beliefs, and adapting its rituals to changes in social conditions and attitudes.
- Compares the romans' superstition to modern society, but today's major religions discourage, even combat, superstitions. they lived in an era of unexplained phenomena, darkness and fear, which affected every aspect of roman life.
1788 wordsRead More - Greed In Julius Caesar Act 1analytical essayIn William Shakespeare's action-packed play Julius Caesar, much plotting and deceitfulness run throughout the story. Caesar was killed by his so-called friends, many of who hated him and plotted against him. They had many reasons to hate him, including greed, fear, jealousy, distrust, and concern about his bad ruling practices. In Act I, Caesar was returning to Rome in victory after killing Pompey. People began to celebrate, only to be stopped by two friends of Marcus Brutus, who said they should be scared of what a bad ruler Caesar would be. In Act II, Cassius approaches Brutus and begins the work of convincing Brutus to join in plotting to kill Caesar even though Brutus was loyal to Caesar. In Act III, Cassius spoke with Casca about conspiring
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the plotting and deceitfulness of shakespeare's action-packed play, julius caesar, in which caesar was killed by his so-called friends.
- Describes how brutus, lucius and lucillius meet up at sardis camp with titinius and pindarus to talk about the disagreement he had with cassius.
- Analyzes how brutus accuses cassius of taking bribes to get government jobs in rome, which made him feel backed in a corner.
- Analyzes how titinius and messala bring news to brutus and cassius about rome. they say that antony, octavius, and lepidus were killing many senators.
- Narrates how brutus tells lucius to play music to help him sleep, and the ghost of caesar appears, naming himself as "thy evil spirit.
- Explains that after caesar's death, rome was corrupt and in turmoil. brutus, cassius and octavius were the four men who could shape the country. their fates were tragically tied to those disagreements.
- Explains that marcus brutus was one of the men who conspired to kill caesar. he was the most complex character in the play.
- Compares cassius with brutus, who hated caesar and his rule, and feared he would lose his place of privilege under caesar.
- Describes marc antony as one of the rulers who led rome after caesar's death. he turned the citizens of rome against brutus and the assassination of caesar
- Explains that octavius augustus caesar is the adopted son of caesar who joins up with marc antony against brutus and cassius on the plains of philippi.
- Analyzes how the play shows insight into many different types of leaders and into some of the difficulties that must be faced in governing a nation.
1282 wordsRead More