Oedipus Caesar Ambition

Pursuing idealistic goals is an eminent character trait portrayed by numerous individuals in both history and fictional literature. Characters showing conspicuous idealism often fall victim to a tragic downfall, due to unrealistic beliefs or how far they are willing to go to make those beliefs a reality. An ideal world is not obtainable because a utopia for one person could be a dystopia for the next. Having strong idealistic values can also lead to weakness because it is easy to sway or take advantage of a person who desires perfection so strongly. In Julius Caesar, Brutus’ intense idealism and questionable decisions lead to his downfall as a defeated idealist.

In William Shakespeare?s Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are very influential characters. Each character makes many mistakes with the assassination plans and the strategies at Philippi. Each man has his reasons for their mistakes, if it is either their idealism, being uncompassionate or not, fully thinking for their actions. Brutus and Cassius are very contrasting people; one man is better suited to be a leader of a battle and an Empire, than the other. That man is: Marcus Brutus. Although Brutus makes many consequential mistakes, his errors are made because his nobleness outranks his intelligence. Whereas for Cassius, his mistakes are made from poor decision making. Brutus himself knows that he is often too honourable and not as

“[Brutus] was admired by Cicero and other Roman aristocrats, and after his death he became a symbol of resistance to tyranny. Shakespeare found in the Parallel Lives of Plutarch the basis for his sympathetic portrayal of the character Brutus in the play Julius Caesar”.(Badian E. , Encyclopædia Britannica

When ambition fuels your desire to succeed, you’re virtually unstoppable until you start believing you are above the laws of society. Ambition is one of the central themes of Julius Caesar and is the reason Brutus cites for Caesar's assassination. In their jealousy of Caesar, the Roman conspirators show their true ambitions and in Anthony’s response to Caesar’s death he shows he is the most ambitious character of them all. Ambition isn’t something that only happened in Roman times but is something that can be seen happening all around us today.

Brutus’s choice to side with Cassius followed with the murder of Julius Caesar. Cassius manipulated Brutus into joining him by sending Brutus letters acknowledging how Rome would be better without Caesar. Brutus’s strong sense of honor made it easier for the conspirators to influence him to join them. Brutus and Cassius had completely distinct motives for killing Caesar. Brutus thought that expelling Caesar from his position would improve Rome and believed that Caesar’s ambition would lead to worse outcomes for Rome; he put the country’s needs before his own. Cassius was ambitious in killing Caesar because he envied him since he felt he had to bow down to Caesar as if he were a god. In the following quote, Brutus states that “This shall make/ Our purpose necessary and not envious;/ Which so appearing to the common eyes,/ We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.” (Shakespeare 2.1.190-93). This quote shows that Brutus plotted to assassinate Caesar but only because he believed it was the correct thing to do. The common people would not understand why they would murder Caesar and think they did it out of envy. Brutus said that they will kill him boldy not viciously so the people would recognize them as purgers of the state rather than murderers. Brutus’s decision may have directly affected Caesar but one costly mistake would

By possessing idealistic beliefs, Brutus’ behavior and actions appeared to have been controlled by others throughout the tale of Julius Caesar all while being unbeknownst to him. After being noted as a possible target of important acquisition, Brutus happened upon a conversation with Cassius and Casca during the Feast of Lupercal. Of the many words tossed back and forth between the group, Cassius, in order to sway Brutus, said, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings” (1.2.140-141). Such words from Cassius fit Brutus’ thought process, which in a separate side of things desperately sought to find peace and comfort from knowing his own choices did prove to be for the betterment of the civilians

The nature of the human mind is that if one doesn’t like something, fix it. That statement applies to everyday life, in finances, career choices, and relationships. The delicate relationship between a ruler and his people balances on thin ice; be a leader and take charge, take the glory and power given and run. Do not, however, exploit this glory and power to the point of upsetting the people. Julius Caesar, like many rulers before and after him, worked tirelessly to strike this balance.

Brutus displays his moral superiority by never acting for his own personal gain. Not to mention, his actions always benefit someone else. “This was the Noblest Roman of them all” (5.5.68).

Oedipus went out to try and find a solution to the plague that has spread in the city, which commands respect from the audience. Oedipus is told by Creon that an oracle told him that the curse of the plague will end once Laius’ murderer is driven out of Thebes. Oedipus has a tragic fate that is initially easy to sympathize with, but his actions change the audience’s view. Actions such as when he sends for the prophet Tiresias to help him find the murderer of Laius, Oedipus is told that he is the murderer he does not want to believe it and threatens Tiresias. Sophocles writes, “not twice you shall / say calumnies like this and stay unpunished” (Kelly J. Mays, 397-398).

For as long as I have known Brutus, he was pure of heart, and only wanted what was best for Rome. I was the true conspirator behind the plot, the thought of Caesar being sole ruler of Rome made my blood boil. Caesar was weak; when he challenged me to a competition, I had to save him when he could not withstand the difficulties. I found myself in a position where “this

Brutus’ trust in others and his love of Rome are his greatest faults. His tragic flaw is the trust he places in others. Brutus is easily swayed to trust Cassius when he plots to kill Caesar. Cassius uses his cunning to trick Brutus into believing Caesar is ambitious and that he is killing Caesar for the good of Rome. Cassius says to Brutus, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs...the fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings” (Shakespeare Act I. ii. 142-148). Cassius is speaking of how Caesar is becoming almost like a tyrant or emperor in the aspect that he is becoming more powerful than everyone else. Brutus love Rome dearly and does not want it destroyed or ruled by a tyrant or emperor. Therefore, Brutus is manipulated by Cassius into murdering Caesar. Later on after Caesar is murdered, Antony makes a speech that is full of irony. His speech tells of how Brutus says Caesar was an ambitious man, and that Brutus is an honorable man. Antony says, “Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man… When the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man” (Shakespeare Act III. ii. 95-103). Throughout his speech, Antony says Brutus is an honorable man, and that Brutus said Caesar

Cassius continues his speech with haunting pictures of Caesar. He tactfully arouses Brutus' jealousy, "Why should that name be sounded more than yours... when there is in it but only one man" (142- 57). In these lines Cassius ruins Caesar' excellence; he paints Caesar as the everlasting dictator. Convincingly, the sly Cassius plays on Brutus' pride. He reminds Brutus of his ancestral heritage. He points out, "There was a Brutus once that would have brooked / Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome / As easily as a king" (159-61). Furthermore, Cassius shows a searching insight into the motives of the factions. He claims, Rome has lost the breed of noble bloods; however, Brutus has not a large enough circle of vision to see beyond Cassius' intentions.

They fight and argue over who is going to be the leader and they make each other look bad. They get jealous because of power and Brutus is threatened by him having more power. First, ambition means that it is a strong desire to achieve and they have a lot of this in the Julius Caesar play. For example, Brutus is scared that Caesar will hurt the country. He is afraid

In the tragedy of “Julius Caesar”, ambition and fate are everywhere. Caesar forces fate in life versus the capacity for free will. Brutus, caesar's best friend plays a big role in the importance of fate and the strong ambition to carry out the deed he did. Finally Cassius the compelling force behind the murder to commit to something needs an ambition and the plan to guide Brutus to betray his friend. Never let emotions take over without fear of fate not turning out your way.

Brutus exemplifies a man that is continuously diligent and discreet, which raises him up to become highly acclaimed throughout Rome (Mack 356; Hacht 339). Cassius ponders about the trust and reliability of Brutus and whether he can maintain these attributes (Shakespeare I. iii. 305-310). Although these attributes can change, he still does the necessary requirements to keep Rome alive and wealthy (Hacht 338). Brutus describes two opposite scenarios for the people: bondman under the rule of Caesar or become independent in a Republic capital, which concludes why he says, “Not/that I loved Rome less, but that I loved Rome more” (341; Shakespeare III. ii. 21-22). His pride brings out great judgment and reasonable actions for killing Caesar (Cahn 327). Although his actions are noble, he eventually decides the assassination can be his greatest mistake (Mack 359).