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Fate In Plutarch's Works

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Parallel to objects that gleam brilliantly, stars are nothing more than a beacon; for man has the power to illuminate the road towards his own destiny. Fate does not shape one’s destiny, but rather one should strive to define their own fate. Plutarch, a Greek philosopher in Rome during the 2nd century A.D personifies the notion of fate and destiny with his tales about Julius Caesar in a historical document titled Lives of the Nobles:Julius Caesar. Likewise, William Shakespeare, an English poet, embodies the same overall ideal of fate and destiny, but with some minor alterations in his play, The Tragedy of Julius as it's based upon Plutarch’s work. In both pieces of literature, though, the account of Caesar’s rise to power is illustrated. Shakespeare …show more content…

Also, differing from Shakespeare’s play is that there is additional detail about Caesar’s coronation, where not only did he reject the crown from Antony, but he places the crown upon the statue of “Jupiter in the Capitol” (Plutarch line 34). This action demonstrated by Caesar implies that there is and can only one be one king; that king can only be God (Jupiter). Moreover, Brutus is only briefly mentioned and does not even make an appearance in the scene. “The people… called them Brutes: because of Brutus” (Plutarch line 40-41). Brutus’s intentions and motives are not known in the scene as there is no interaction between him and Cassius; Cassius does not play a significant role unlike his role in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Additionally, though the intentions performed by both Flavius and Marullus as Tribunes are the same (to prevent Caesar from being crowned king), the method this intention is conducted varies from Plutarch’s From the Lives of Nobles as both characters are shown shooing and scolding those idolizing Caesar, whereas in Plutarch’s piece, “the two Tribunes, went and pulled down [images of Caesar]” (Plutarch 37). Thus, this results in the two tribunes being thrown in prison in From the Lives of Nobles. Other changes …show more content…

Shakespeare made this change most likely to highlight Caesar’s thirst for power to the point where he would view himself as a God. Similarly, Shakespeare also illustrates that Caesar is a sufferer of seizures and that the pressure from having to reject the crown was too much for him, resulting in a seizure which also further uncovers his lust for power. This arrogance is also illustrated by Caesar disregarding the premonition from the Soothsayer. Further, other characters that are transformed by Shakespeare include Brutus, who is actually the true main character in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. “I do fear for the people. Choose Caesar for their king. Yet I love him as well” (Shakespeare scene 2, line 78-82). The Tragedy of Julius Caesar depicts mostly his inner conflict of choosing between his loyalty to Caesar or his own endearment towards the citizens and country of Rome. Based on Brutus’s love for the people and the troubles he is willing to endure for them reveals that he is a noble, yet easily manipulated character. Cassius, a character also introduced in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, attempts to manipulate Brutus, who is lost and muddled in his inner conflict to murder Caesar. Cassius attempts can be evidenced as he

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