Julius Caesar Character Analysis

In the determination of whether Julius Caesar was an intelligent, political hero or an egocentric, dictating villain, it is important to look at all of the facts. Born in 100 B.C.E. and assassinated in 44 B.C.E., Julius Caesar was legendary. He along Pompey, and Crassus created the first unofficial Triumvirate which was negotiated to appease both the Roman citizens and the power hungry rivals. Still, this agreement would not last long. After Pompey’s wife, Julia Caesar and daughter of Caesar’s daughter given to Pompey to establish the Trimvirate, dies in childbirth, civil war breaks out as Caesar leads his army against Rome. He fights until Pompey is murdered in Egypt. As Rome is “shattered,” Julius Caesar one person should rule. He

Even on the trip to the Senate, he had an opportunity to see the exact plan for his death. But his patriotism, or possibly his false humility, propelled him to say “What touches us ourself shall be last served” (III. i. 8). Through all of these times where his free will could have helped Caesar avoid his fate, he instead chose to ignore them, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Caesar says that cowards die many times before their death and death will come when it will come. Then Caesar asked a servant what the augurers say about the subject and they say they found no heart within the beast. This is a simple act of showing how superstitious Caesar is sends him in to a rage and he decides he will go to the capitol. Then Calpurnia (the voice of reason) says “your wisdom is consumed in confidence” and tells him to tell them it is her fear and not his own that keeps him from the capitol. And Caesar grudgingly agrees. Then Decius Brutus comes in and ruins the whole thing by telling Caesar that her dream was telling how great he is and Decius manages to flatter Caesar enough that he decides to go to the capitol and he tells Calpurnia how foolish her dreams seem now and he leaves. Calpurnia, as we know was right the whole time and Caesar gets assassinated at the capitol. This scene was important in foreshadowing Caesar’s death and showing how overconfident Caesar is, and although Calpurnia’s warning was only one of many she seems to be the only warning with real impact, that is until Decius Brutus comes in to play.

In his soliloquy, Antony praised Caesar’s great personality but at the same time, he would keep saying positive things about Brutus. An example is when he says, “He was my friend, faithful and just to me; / But Brutus says he was ambitious, / And Brutus is an honorable man.” (3.2.85-87). The way in which he spoke and by telling the citizens the context of Caesar’s will, turned the mob against Brutus and the rest of the conspirators. The anger possessed by the countrymen can be shown when a plebeian says, “Most noble Caesar! We’ll revenge his death!” (2.2.244). This betrayal by Antony caused Brutus to break off their friendship.

In society, people are told not to bring each other down for their weaknesses, and to turn someone’s weakness into their greatest asset. However, Caesar’s small weaknesses prove that he is not able to rule such a large country. Cassius tells Brutus two stories in which Caesar exhibits his physical weaknesses. In the first, he is unable to swim and needs to be saved, and in the second, he acts like a little girl and expects to be waited on hand and foot when he is sick. Cassius says, “‘Ye gods, it doth amaze me a man of such feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone,’” (Shakespeare I.ii.130-134). This remark by Cassius proves that Caesar is unfit to take care of himself. Cassius argues that Caesar cannot do things as simple as swimming, and cannot even take care of himself, so he it most unfit to rule Rome all by himself. Caesar’s weaknesses prove that he should not rule Rome.

He also believes this will bring him power. His downfall is shown in this quote because it shows what he’s going to do to no longer feel this way. It is also shown because the plot is based on his jealousy of Caesar.

Julius Caesar was and still is considered to be one of the greatest military generals in history. His combination of leadership skills, military genius, and speaking ability propelled him to the forefront of Roman society. Born on June 12/13 100 B.C., Caesar was born into an ancient aristocratic family. Around the age of 16 after his father had died, Caesar had joined the military. It was apparent from this time onward that Caesar was especially gifted in the arts of strategy and warfare. By the age of 30 Caesar had begun making political strides in his perpetual quest for glory and prominence. During this time he would work closely with his friend and future mortal enemy, Pompey. In the next ten years, Caesar would become governor of Spain and ascend to the position of consul. His partnership with Marcus Licinius Crassus further increased Caesar’s rise to power, as Crassus himself was a powerful politician and general, who was arguably the wealthiest man in all of Rome. Along with Pompey, the three men formed what came to be known as the First Triumvirate. Although Caesar was aligned with Pompey, he never ceased to find ways outmaneuver him, qualities that would eventually precipitate Rome’s civil war. Continuing his military conquests, Caesar would become the governor of Gaul, which is now modern day Belgium and France. After ascending to this position, he’d engage in a near decade-long conquest of Gaul known as the Gallic War. Probably his most successful battle and

Caesar’s weaknesses exhibits that he is not fit to rule the Roman empire, and therefore should not have

One of the first things to recognize about Caesar is how he listens to what others have to say, which is a very important trait to find in a leader. For example, when he is walking through the streets and a man calls for him, Caesar says,”Who is it in the press that calls on me?/ I hear a togue shriller than all the music/ Cry “Caesar!” Speak. Caesar is turned to hear¨(I.ii.15-17), and when Calpurnia, his wife, tells him that he should stay home because of a frightening dream he eventually gives in and tells Decius why he will not go to the Senate, ¨The cause is in my will: I will not come./ That is enough to satisfy the Senate;/ But for your private satisfaction,/ Because I love you, I will let you know./ Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home¨(II.ii.71-75). Although he was reluctant at first to his wife’s suspicions, after hearing her out Caesar decided to yield to Calpurnia’s wishes. This proves that Caesar does indeed listen to those around him, and considers what they have to say.

These portrayals from required articles take a stance that is different than our textbooks. The stance our textbook takes is much more suited to Caesar being not only a great politician but, leader. It goes on to discuss his many successful endeavors, the opinions of his troops, and the vast empire he had acquired. The descriptive nature of the text uses such words as “awed” and “boldness” when describing his leadership qualities and, opinions of his troops. This is displayed in our text by, “Caesar won his soldiers’ loyalty with victories and plunder I Gaul, which he added to the Roman provinces, and he awed his troops with his boldness by crossing the channel to campaign in Britain.” (Hunt, Martin, Rosenwein, Smith 164). Another example of the views of his troops is stated as, “Caesar led his army against Rome. As he crossed Rubicon River, the official northern boundary of Italy, in early 49 B.C.E., he uttered the famous words signaling that there was now no turning back: “Let’s roll the dice.” His

Out of the many flaws that Julius Caesar had, one of the largest flaws that he had was his pride and his ambition. Having both of these attributes led to him being power hungry as well. For the most part Shakespeare’s play focuses on the idea of Julius being ‘power hungry’ for immortality. Despite his several flaws he is still able to be considered a hero for several different reasons. For one, he recognized his flaw, he was aware of what was thought of him because he saw it that way himself.

Now, Julius Caesar was a great leader, but his ambition, pride, and arrogance, all lead him to his death, but ultimately it was his pride that led him to taking his last breaths. Caesar's pride is showcased in Act II, when Calpurnia had told Caesar not to go to the Capitol, because of a dream that she had had, and omens that had scared her. Calphurnia asks Caesar to tell Decius

Julius Caesar born 12 July 100 BCE, was a politically adept and popular leader of the Roman Republic who significantly transformed what became known as the Roman Empire by greatly expanding its reach and establishing itself. By aged 31, Caesar fought in many roman wars and found himself in roman republic. After many alliances he became the dictator of the Roman Empire and ruled for only just one year before his death.

Caesar’s pride is shown by his response, "Caesar. …Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he. We are two lions littered in one day, And I the elder and more terrible, And Caesar shall go forth."(2,2,44-47) Caesar shows that his pride overrules any advice given by others. If not for Julius Caesar’s pride, he may have avoided the assassination and had more time for the conspiracy to be uncovered. This clearly shows that Caesar’s pride is a hamartia that leads to his downfall.

He should have paid more attention to his instincts. This example shows us that Caesar was excellent at what he did; however, he had a big problem, which held him back.