essay on the tragedy of julius caesar

Explore the different themes within William Shakespeare's tragic play, Julius Caesar. Themes are central to understanding Julius Caesar as a play and identifying Shakespeare's social and political commentary. Persuasion Persuasion is a concept at the center of this play. Everyone seems to be trying to convince someone else of something: Caesar tries to create an image in the public's mind of his crowing (an ancient form of spin doctoring); Cassius finds the best way to manipulate each man he seeks to bring to his side; and Brutus, whom the reader hopes will refuse to participate, takes longer than the others to respond to Cassius' manipulations, but eventually does respond and even finishes the job for him by persuading himself (see his soliloquy in Act II, Scene I). This pivotal scene, when Brutus joins the conspirators, is also interesting because Portia, Brutus' wife, serves as the voice of Brutus' conscience. Leadership Shakespeare took the potential for upheaval in Julius Caesar and used it to examine a leadership theme. Concentrating on the responsibilities of the ruling class, he looked at what could happen if that class no longer had a unified vision and hand lost sight of what it meant to be Roman. In fact, the characters of the play lose touch with the tradition, glory, integrity, and stoicism of their past. As you read the play, note the way that Cassius use the memory of that glorious past to persuade men to become conspirators, and the way the actions of the conspirators do or do not return Rome to its golden age. Defining Masculinity While gender itself is not a central issue to this play, questions of Masculinity and effeminacy are. Caesar's weakness — his effeminacy — makes him vulnerable. On the other hand, the incorporation of the so-called feminine traits of compassion and love into the friendship between Brutus and Cassius paradoxically allows the.
Were the conspirators justified in killing Caesar? Trace the arguments made by the conspirators as they plotted against Caesar. Using evidence from the play, evaluate whether or not they were justified in killing him. Was Caesar ambitious? Using Mark Antony’s funeral speech and Caesar’s own words, analyze what kind of king Caesar would have been had he lived. Compare the rhetoric of Brutus and Mark Antony in Act III, scene ii. Analyze their speeches to decide if they use pathos, ethos, logos, or a combination. Finally, decide why Mark Antony’s speech was more effective. Using the definition of tragic hero discussed in class, who is the most tragic figure: Creon, Brutus, or Julius Caesar? Your paper should provide a detailed discussion of all three men. Provide a strong thesis and evidence to support your point of view. Brutus killed Caesar, as he claims, Not because I loved Caesar less, but because I loved Rome more. Imagine, however, that Brutus had killed Caesar because he truly loved him less - or hated him. How would the play be different if Brutus' motive was hatred? Select at least 5 quotes from Brutus and describe how they would change if Brutus hated Caesar. Shakespeare based his play on historical events. (For example, Calpurnia’s dream is based on a supposedly factual account.)Research the history of the events surrounding Caesar’s assassination and aftermath, then write a documented paper comparing Shakespeare’s play to the history. Imagine that you have to vote in an election to choose the best leader of Rome. The candidates are Brutus, Cassius, Octavious, and Antony. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each man. Then, make a judgment about which man would make the best leader. Should this play be called Julius Caesar or Marcus Brutus?Write a paper analyzing why Brutus is or is not the true center of the play.
Enter Your Search Terms to Get Started! Julius Caesar the tragic hero Julius Caesar, the tragic hero Only the ignorant would deny that the title of a novel or play has no relevance to the play itself. Unfortunately, those ignorant minds have caused the true tragic hero of Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar, an area of dispute. Brutus seems to be a candidate because he appears more than Caesar in the play, but without Caesar the whole play would be lost. It is an indisputable fact that Julius Caesar is the Tragic Hero. It is arguable that Brutus fits Aristotle’s guidelines for a tragic hero. He has a high position in society, which is evident through that fact that he is a senator. Brutus also has a noble and famous family name. In the play, even his enemies speak well of him (Shakespeare V, 5, 73-75). Brutus is also very prosperous. He is very wealthy and has many loyal friends. It also seems that he has a great relationship with his wife, because when she was concerned about him, he spent time to talk to her and comfort her. Furthermore, his tragic flaw causes him it make a mistake. He ends up murdering Caesar because of his overwhelming patriotism. Brutus is more concerned about his nation than he is about any single man. Although Marcus Brutus seems to fit Aristotle’s qualifications of a tragic hero, the fact that Caesar fits it better is undeniable. Shakespeare makes his point almost too clear. First, the citizens of Rome love Caesar so much that they offer him the thrown three times. Brutus is barely known by the citizens. Julius Caesar had already been the leader of Rome without being king, and had led his own army to many great victories, which is obviously a sign of much power. Caesar can brag of his prosperity, through his wealth, his many friends, and his loving wife. Caesar’s tragic flaw helps to make his death more of a tragedy. He is too trusting and.
The characters in Julius Caesar neglect nearly universally the play’s various omens (dead men walking, sacrificed animals who lack hearts), nightmares (Calpurnia’s vision of Caesar’s statue running with blood), warnings (the Soothsayer’s advice to Caesar to avoid the Ides of March, Artemidorus’s letter about the conspiracy), and supernatural events (Brutus’s visitation by the Ghost). Caesar believes that the omens in Rome could apply just as easily to Rome in general as to him personally, and he quickly comes to believe that Calpurnia has misinterpreted her dream. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that these omens warn of events that take place without exception. The hand of fate, or of the gods, appears to strike with undeniable omnipotence; and yet, it seems peculiar to provide omens without allowing individuals time to alter their behavior or choose among fates. In any case, the characters fail to heed the warnings in almost every instance. Tragically, the characters often believe that their refusal to heed these signs proves their strength, courage, and indomitable nature; thus, Caesar believes that he is displaying the force of his will by ignoring the warnings and attending the Senate, though, ironically, it is precisely this action that precipitates his fated death. The conspirators manage to kill Caesar, the physically infirm man, who is deaf in one ear, probably epileptic, and aging; indeed, it may be Caesar’s delusions about his own immortality as a man that allow the conspirators to catch him off guard and bring about his death. In many ways, however, Caesar’s faith in his permanence proves valid: the conspirators fail to destroy Caesar’s public image, and Antony’s words to the crowd serve to burnish Caesar’s image. Additionally, the conspirators fail to annihilate the idea that Caesar incarnated: that of a single supreme leader of Rome. Death does not.