Justification of Caesar’s Assassination in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar (100-44BC) was one of the greatest men produced by ancient Rome and he remains today a famous personality in world history (Barlow 2005). The conspirators were wrong to murder Julius Caesar in three ways. Firstly, they were morally wrong in the removal of Caesar. Secondly, they failed to consider a practical benefit to Rome in the murder of Caesar, resulting in only more problems. Lastly and most importantly, the conspirators were wrong to murder Julius Caesar because they placed their interests before those of Rome.

Julius Caesar's death was a Tragedy. Ironically the play name is The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, so of course it was a tragedy. Caesar's death is caused by his personality and himself, if he had lived, there would be more tragedy in Rome than if he died. In the Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Caesar dies due to the conspiracy’s beliefs on killing him being right, and how he ignores the warnings of his death. Proving that his personality got in his own way, and would have lead to future chaos in Rome.

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.

If anyone seasoned in Julius Caesar’s background was asked if his death was justified or not, the answer would most likely be no. He was kind, smart, selfless, and and advocate for the citizens. Although he was arrogant and thought himself a king, he did nothing to deserve death. His death was unjustified and he was only killed because of his power and influence over the commoners. Several of his associates felt unsafe and were worried about their loss and his gain of power.

Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was one of the most outstanding leaders in history. He was the first ruler of the Romano-Hellenic civilization and achieved his goals with great success throughout his life of 56 years. He was assassinated by the conspirators, who accused him for practicing tyranny. This essay will discuss whether it was right for the conspirators to murder Caesar and what its consequences were.

He says that he is not afraid because he is not a coward,- he feels

The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44BC by conspiring members of the Roman senate was an effort to remove a dictator whose power had grown to extraordinary levels and to revive the Republic government. Caesar’s power span throughout the entire Roman Empire, which during his reign extended from present day Syria, down into parts of Africa, over to Spain, most of France and all of Italy. He had the favor of the people, military and most of the Roman government. Caesar’s death at the hand of conspirators did remove him from power; however, it did not restore the Republic government as the Senate had anticipated, on-the-other hand it gave rise to yet a more powerful dictator that was beyond what Caesar

As Julius Caesar once said, “Men are nearly always willing to believe what they wish.” Many people believed that if Caesar became a ruler, he would be a brutal dictator. The conspiracy did not have concrete reasons to murder Julius Caesar. They just assumed that he would be a tyrant. Considering that Caesar and Brutus were such close friends, Brutus should have attempted to talk to Caesar instead of agreeing to murder him. Also, Brutus claims to be such an honorable man, but killing someone isn’t a very honorable deed, regardless of the circumstances.

Well, honor is the subject of my story. I cannot tell you what other men Think of this life, but for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such a thing as myself” (1.2.90-96.). Brutus goes through with killing Caesar,but talks the men out of killing Mark Antony out of the belief he has done nothing wrong. Caesar believes he has done the correct thing and has saved the people of Rome from a corrupt leader, and he performs a speech to the people of Rome explaining his actions and why he murdered Caesar. This leads to his downfall in the end, because the act of not killing Mark Antony creates a war that is order to kill Cassius and Brutus.

All this comes down the last point that will be made in this essay, Julius Caesar’s assassins believed that what they were doing was what was best for the Roman Republic and its citizens. Caesar showed all the signs of becoming a corrupt king-like ruler. With the past experiences of Rome the men that killed Caesar just wanted to help the people they swore

In the play, it is evident that Cassius wanted to kill Caesar for selfish reasons(I, ii, 140-145). The citation shows that Cassius was jealous, but Brutus saw right through

He compares Caesar to a serpent in an egg which he must kill before it hatches. Brutus knows that Caesar is gaining too much power too quickly and it must come to an end. He shows his belief in a republic government by saying, “We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar / And in the spirit of men there is no blood" (II.i. 180-181). Cassius is a character who is jealous of Caesar’s power and also wants it to end. He forms a group of conspirators who are against Julius Caesar. He persuades Brutus to help him and the other conspirators to kill Caesar during the ides of March. Brutus joins but only due to his love for Rome and its people. He proves this by saying "Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius." (II.i. 179). This also proves his love for Caesar because he wants to kill him with some sort of honor. Brutus wants the citizens to look at him not as a murderer but for someone who cares for his country. He expresses his ideas toward the stabbing by saying , “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer-not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more" (III, ii, 17-19).

When the conspirators were discussing plan on how they should preceed on killing Caesar , Brutus made it very apparent on how the killing should go, stating “Let’s kill him boldly but not wrathfully. / Let’s carve him as a dish fit for gods, / Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.” This meant that Brutus loved Caesar enough to respect his remains and not have the murder perceived as gruesome but as essential for Rome to remain free, peaceful and have liberty. Brutus wanted his body to be in such pristine condition that it would be fit for the gods. He was keeping in mind that he was not killing Caesar out of his personal strife, but for greater well-being of Rome. This way of thinking would affect the murder from being seen as savage to humane, only doing what was necessary to kill him. However this would mind-set would change if Brutus hated Caesar. Brutus would not care to respect a body of a man he hated, he would want to kill him wrathfully, and try to cause the most pain he possibly could.

Stabbed in the back by a friend a relative, worst of all a brother. Julius Caesar now has the power he always wanted. The citizens celebrated for what he is now their new dictator,but still some people were not happy at all.Those responsible for the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15th, BC 44 were Brutus,Cassius and the Senate.

All things considered, Brutus made the right decision to join the conspirators against Caesar. Throughout his speech Brutus gives valid points and explanations for why Caesar must never become king. The fate of the Roman Empire can not rest in the hands of Caesar alone, therefore Brutus and the other Conspirators plan to be sure of that. They confirm that Caesar will never get a chance to be king by killing him. Brutus Provides adequate information on the assassination of Julius Caesar, and as to why it is the right thing for him to