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Julius Caesar Social Classes Essay

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Proletariats have been looked down upon as lesser by every social class in history, even by themselves and each social class above them is named inadequate and inferior by the ones above them. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, high contrast is shown between the representation of the bourgeois and the working classes. Criticism of higher social classes is subtle enough to go unnoticed by the nobility and Queen Elizabeth, yet powerful enough that the majority of Shakespeare’s audience would understand and relate to it. When together, the plebeians also take on a mob mentality. In scene one of act one, Flavius is angry about the commoners immediately shifting their admiration from Pompey to Caesar; they all agree and cheer when Caesar is to be …show more content…

Instead of seeing them as godlike and flawless, they’re represented on a personal level, despite their status. Brutus is willing to help Cassius “if it be aught toward the general good,” (1.2.87). The general good is likely not referring to the general population of Rome, but the general good of those he and Cassius deem important, meaning just the other senators. This shows Brutus’ lack of consideration for the plebeians of Rome. Brutus’ temperament and behaviors are also exposed, as the audience finds out he is indecisive and hypocritical, particularly on the matter of Cato’s suicide. Cassius is also shown to be a manipulative liar, after audience realise he was most likely lying about Caesar being sick in Spain. Cassius and the other senators believe they are better than the commoners. When Brutus accuses Cassius of leading him into danger of the conspiracy, Cassius says if he were a “common laugher,” “then hold me dangerous” (1.2.74,80). Cassius believes the commoners are all foolish or stupid and can’t be trusted with important decisions. The upper class characters are shown in the way Shakespeare sees them, which is corrupt and

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