Cruelty In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar, a Roman general, dictator, and leader, is considered to be one of history 's most influential and powerful rulers to this day, in which his rise to power, conquest of Europe, and controversial downfall all remain to be told during modern days. The play Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, portrays the events leading up to Julius Caesar’s assassination, and how those who conspired against him banded together and plotted Caesar’s demise. Many of those conspirators assassinated Caesar due to his quick rise to absolute power, his “acts” of disrespect against the senate such as his failing to stand to receive the title of becoming a “god,” and pure jealousy and anger towards Caesar’s success and rule over the Roman empire. Caesar, an ambitious man, was able to conquer many lands and peoples for Rome through successful military campaigns in which he became one Rome’s best generals due to the amount of successful battles he had won and the amount of blood he had shed for Rome’s expansion. However, Caesar’s trait of ambitiousness would prove to be a double edged sword.

Brutus allows for Caesar’s good deeds to be buried, while Antony tries to bring them back to life. Antony mentions: “He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff” (III.ii.89-93). Though Antony is successful in his persuasion, the audience is never allowed to forget the conspirator’s outlook on the ordeal, and they are heavily influenced by dramatic irony (Crowther, Crystal).

Violence is one of the most exaggerated forms of physical aggression and it can exist for a series of reasons. It involves a person or a group of persons acting against another person or groups of persons with the purpose to achieve one or several diverse goals. In many cases violence results from individuals perceiving the acts of other people as hostile and thus wanting to act against these people before it is too late. Depending on the situation, more or less individuals might get involved in an act of violence, especially when they consider that it would be essential for them to do so.

The tragedy of Julius Caesar is a story of struggle and betrayal; however, in it, Shakespeare conveys messages about human nature. Three of the main characters in the play convey the ways that power corrupts and changes people. Brutus’ attitude towards killing Caesar and rising to power, along with his personality, change throughout the first three acts. Cassius’ need for power makes him lose himself and his humanity. Mark Antony, changed by Caesar's death, rises to power after taking it away from those that killed him. In Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, he conveys notions regarding human nature and the ways that power changes and corrupts people; he does this through his characters Brutus, Cassius, and Antony.

Julius Caesar, a tale of a great leader that was evidently taken down in the worst way. Julius Caesar was one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays; showing how a leader should present himself, and his people. It really is magnificent; except, Julius Caesar does have a dark side. Friends that Caesar trusted, with Brutus as the leader, stabbed Caesar to death and bathed in his blood. They went on to make sure that Caesar was determined, as Brutus says, “ambitious” (III.ii.24). Though, this play is not all sadness and woes. Marc Antony, a great friend of Caesar’s, turned the tables on his unjust death. When he goes to give his eulogy, he uses pathos, logos, and ethos, to persuade the people. By using these rhetorical strategies, he was able

The play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare sets the stage for an honorable man named Marcus Brutus. His honor is characterized by several traits and actions present throughout the play. Brutus’ love to Rome proves honor by the things he sacrifices for the better of his people and country. His death resulting from guilt and the feeling of having to be with Caesar shows his modesty. In fact, his people, friends, and even enemies also perceive

Niccolo Machiavelli, a Florence native, presented revolutionary ideas about leadership in his famous work “The Prince.” This sort of “how-to” handbook for rulers was written in a time when power was frequently changing hands, leaving nations in constant confusion (The Prince, 443). Machiavelli presented a way for these new leaders to maintain their power, encouraging such things as cruelty and fear as a means of governing the common people. This new concept was drastically opposed to the Christian ideals which had been taught for centuries. Despite its harshness, Machiavelli’s doctrine was accepted by many and has influenced some very popular men throughout history. One such person is none other than William Shakespeare. Multiple plays written by Shakespeare are stories of men in government who are either attempting to maintain their power or regain it. It is no wonder, then, why Shakespeare would refer to “The Prince” as a resource when writing these plays. One play in particular, “King Lear,” is evidence of Shakespeare’s acknowledgement of Machiavellian beliefs. Throughout this paly it may be witnessed how Machiavelli’s ideas on what a ruler should be were taken into account by the famous playwright, leading either to his characters’ success or downfall.

Often, context shapes a composer’s perspective on the dichotomous nature of truth, in order to reveal the innate flaws of humanity. Texts from earlier eras inform their respective audiences on the necessity of truth, whilst influencing various individuals on the relationship between the maintenance of power and truth. The political treatise The Prince (1513), by Niccolò Machiavelli informs the Elizabethan tragedy Julius Caesar (1599) by William Shakespeare to disregard any interest in morality, and instead focus on the complexity of truth that would allow for manipulation to drive a change of moral code, in order to conceal or reveal societal truth.

Brutus, in Act II Scene I of William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, delivers an intrinsically-directed speech regarding the future of Caesar’s reign. He contemplates within himself what possible solutions there are in event of a downturn in Caesar’s attitude towards power, concluding that the only method of maintaining Rome’s greatness is to kill Caesar. In Brutus’ speech, he claims that, upon the occurrence of a difference arising in Caesar’s separation of power and compassion, Caesar must die in favor of the Roman people. Furthermore, the claim made by Brutus is classified as a claim of policy due to the fact that Brutus asserts that a change has to be made. This claim is qualified by Brutus’ use of the word “must” in the statement, “it must be by his death;” the connotation of “must” leaves very little room for doubt. Brutus asserts with the use of the aforementioned word his complete security in the validity of Caesar’s killing. However, this claim is not founded on sufficiently concrete evidence that a deed such as murdering the king may be carried out.

Have you ever done something for the good of someone but have it hurt somebody else? This is what happens In Julius Caesar when Brutus kills Caesar. When Antony justifies his feelings in a powerful speech at the funeral, Shakespeare effectively shows his feelings by employing metaphors, rhetorical questions, and Ethos to reveal the pain and grief Antony is feeling about this event. These appeal to the readers feelings and helps them see Antony’s side over Brutus’.

William Shakespeare, famed English poet and author of the widely recognized play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Within his work, Shakespeare reveals the fascinating internal-workings of human nature, as he unfolds the actual events that took place in Roman history. As factual as Shakespeare might seem, it would not be wrong to suggest that his choice of a title is fairly misleading. The reader is led to believe that the tragic hero is Julius Caesar, not to say that being stabbed by one’s own friend is not devastating enough, but the character that suffers the real catastrophe is Marcus Brutus. Brutus, is the dagger-wielding, back-stabber of a friend, but he is honorable, and he only

“Even the noblest men can be seduced by power; it has the power to kill, to distort, and to corrupt” Through this passage, Matthew Sims captures in essence how individuals often turn to betrayal and deception in order to gain their heart’s desires. This characteristic is not only present in life, but can also be seen in modern and classical literature, including the well known work of Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the lust for power transcends any one individual and ultimately leads to death and corruption of not only Caesar, but also of Brutus and Cassius. The play begins with Caesar parading through the streets of Rome as he triumphs in his victory over Pompey. However, Brutus, Cassius, and many others hatch a plot to

  The Prince is a celebrated and highly controversial piece of work by the Italian aristocrat Niccolo Machiavelli. His work is a summation of all the qualities a prince must have in order to remain in his position. Machiavelli supports the idea that a prince use his power for the ultimate benefit of all, but he also does not condemn the use of any unpleasant means in order for the prince to maintain his power. His ideas both compare and contrast to the methods used by Prince Hamlet of Denmark in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Hamlet, as we know, struggles mightily to maintain his position as the prince, and one must wonder if this is due to some of the highly essential qualities outlined by

Although William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar provides a largely accurate and incredibly detailed record of the assassination of its namesake, the play is regarded not as one of the Bard’s histories, but as one of his greatest tragedies. Shakespeare’s poignant lyrical interpretation of the fall of Julius Caesar is defined without a doubt as a tragedy by the sorrowful nature of the development, execution, and aftermath of Marcus Brutus’ betrayal of Julius Caesar.

On Wednesday 10th September 2014, I witnessed the Oratory Foundation’s presentation of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The production was held at Naparima bowl at San Fernando. It began promptly at 9:30 am. This tale closely follows the rise to province and the ultimate demise of Roman icon and revolutionary politician Julius Caesar. The themes shown in this story are love, honour, betrayal, patriotism, selfishness and selflessness. This enticing tale also has its fair share of action such as murder, suicide, vengeance and conspiracy.