...Rhetorical Devices in Julius Caesar “There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony” (Shakespeare 3.2.134). This is a great example to represent the huge effect that Mark Antony’s speech had on the citizens of Rome. In Rome, Italy during 44 B.C., all the citizens of Rome were gathered together for the funeral of Julius Caesar after his tragic death. Characters Brutus and Mark Antony both delivered a speech at this event sharing their thoughts and opinions on Julius Caesar before and after his death. There was a very clear distinction to determine who had the most powerful speech. This character was Mark Antony. Shakespeare’s character Mark Antony delivers as very powerful speech after the death of Julius Caesar to sway the beliefs of the Plebeians in the right direction. Mark Antony had such a huge effect on the crowd by cleverly...
Words: 1348 - Pages: 6
...Delich Italian 230 Research Paper Julius Caesar Julius Caesar; he came, he saw, and he conquered. Caesar is one of the most well-known Emperors of Rome and one of the most influential historical figures. Caesar was a politician and general of the late Roman republic, who greatly extended the Roman Empire before seizing power and making himself dictator of Rome, paving the way for the imperial system. The story of Caesar’s rise to power and fall from grace is one that has been told since the time of the Romans. His accomplishments and contributions to Roman society and the world will surely never be forgotten. Julius Caesar was a distinguished general, influential politician, and a fierce dictator. Julius Caesar was born in Rome around July 13, 100 BC. Although, he hailed from Roman aristocrats, his family was far from rich. When Caesar was 16 his father, Gaius Caesar, died. “His family was closely connected with the Marian faction in Roman politics” (Historical Figures, Julius Caesar par. 2). At around the time of his father's death, Caesar made a large effort to side with the country's nobility. “His marriage to Cornelia, the daughter of a noble, had drawn the ire of Rome's dictator, Sulla, who ordered the young Roman to divorce his wife or risk losing his property” (Caesar Julius, par 5). Caesar refused and found escape in the military, serving first in the province of Asia and then in Cilicia. Following the death of Sulla, Caesar returned to Rome to begin his career...
Words: 2118 - Pages: 9
...William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, set in Rome in 44 B.C, focuses on the character of Julius Caesar and his gruesome assassination by the members of the Roman Senate. Mark Antony, Caesar’s best friend, plots his revenge and incites a riot, causing the exile of the conspirators and their impending defeat. The tragic hero with a tragic flaw can be found in the character of Julius Caesar, an example of this being Caesar’s prominence in society as well as his fatal flaw of hubris. Another example is Caesar’s recognition of his fatal flaw following his betrayal and downfall. A third example is Caesar’s redemption, when his death is fully grasped by Marcus Brutus, who was once Caesar’s friend but betrayed him. The tragic hero is Julius Caesar because of his fatal flaw of hubris, his recognition of his flaw in his...
Words: 1290 - Pages: 6
...Does Shakespeare depict Julius Caesar as a tyrant who deserved to be deposed because of his unconstitutional usurpation of power? William Shakespeare’s well-renowned play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, has led to centuries of controversial debate on the validity of tyrannicide based on his depiction of Julius Caesar. Some scholars have argued that Shakespeare intended to portray Caesar as a tyrant, while others believe he is acting as a just King. On one hand, it is difficult to assume that Shakespeare plainly viewed Caesar as a tyrant, especially since Shakespeare deliberately left Caesar’s actions and intentions ambiguous, making him into a less obvious tyrannical figure compared to Plutarch’s representation of Caesar. In addition, Shakespeare does not solidify Caesar as a tyrant in the same way he does with Macbeth and Richard III in their respective plays. On the other hand, it is difficult to reason that Caesar is a just King because he came into power by usurpation. “In antiquity the term [“tyrant”] referred to a ruler who came to power by usurpation, without constitutional warrant.” Based on insight from several sources and my own interpretation of Julius Caesar, I have concluded that Shakespeare left Caesar’s objectives unknown in order to focus on the moral dilemma faced by Brutus, but Shakespeare still intended to depict Caesar as a tyrant who deserved to be deposed because of his unconstitutional usurpation of power. In order to prove this I will evaluate the political...
Words: 1848 - Pages: 8
...From the savage Neanderthal to the charismatic Julius Caesar, humans have selfishly betrayed one another since the dawn of time. Written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar portrays the tragedy of the Roman ruler. Deceived by his friends, Caesar is brutally murdered as the conspirators try to prevent him from ascending to the throne as the next leader of Rome. By placing their own egotistical interests and misconceptions before Rome’s, the conspirators wrongfully murdered Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, Brutus continually questions whether or not he should follow through with the plan to assassinate Caesar. He even makes the remark several times that Caesar personally did nothing to him saying, “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question” (II.i.10). Brutus recognizes that other than his own fears for the future, Caesar has done nothing to deserve death. The conspirators repeatedly claim that because of Caesar’s unruly ambition, he would take the throne and expose his greedy, selfish side, although he has never shown any sign to actually having one. Convincing Brutus of this, they become obsessed with the idea that Julius Caesar would become a megalomaniac after his rise to the throne, making this the main incentive that the conspirators have against him, eventually making a rash decision to “sacrifice” him, supposedly for the good of...
Words: 1691 - Pages: 7
...The Determined Dictator Julius Caesar has been quoted to have said, “I love the name of honor, more than I fear death” (“Julius Caesar Quotes”). That one quote tells a lot about Caesar’s attitude and his character. More than once, this determination to receive honor risked his life, but it also gained him many achievement that he has been remembered for for hundreds and hundreds of years. In the end, that same desire for honor cost him his life. Julius Caesar deserved the honor he received though. He was a self-made man who earned his respect and admiration by his own talents, wisdom, and strengths. (“Portrait”) William Shakespeare described him as a “General, Statesman, Dictator – the most famous Roman of them all” (“Julius Caesar”). Julius Caesar’s political statute, his military leadership, and his tragic assassination all reflected his desire to make a change in his country and his perseverance to achieve his goal. One area of Julius Caesar’s life where he persevered to make a change in Rome was his political statute. Julius Caesar was born in one hundred B.C. (“Portrait”). He was born into a patrician family (Crew). His father was a great politician and taught Julius as much as he could. Julius Caesar’s first job was a speaker in the Roman courts. He was very successful and eventually was elected to the office of praetor, or commanding officer of the army, which was the second ranked political office of his time (Crew). He was so popular among his peers that...
Words: 1496 - Pages: 6
...Julius Caesar is a story about ambition. There are four specific incidents which demonstrate the "vaulting ambition" and desire for power in the character Julius Caesar. When Caesar comes back to Rome, when Marullus picks on the crowd when Casca is walking with Brutus, and when Calpurnia begs Caesar not to go to the Senate. All of these examples show that Julius Caesar is a play that shows ambition. In the exposition of the play, Caesar returns to Rome after having defeated Pompey's sons, who at one time was Caesar's friend and ally as they had both been powerful executives. Caesar's having gotten rid of Pompey's son is a sign that he does not want to have competition in his ambitious drive to power. In Act I, Scene 1, Marullus chides the others, asking them if they now "strew flowers in his [Caesar's] way That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? (1.51-52) Caesar has wooed the crowd into loving him and turned them away from the deceased Pompey. Marullus dislikes Caesar gaining power. He knows that the crows is fickle and is easily swayed, just like Cassius and Brutus and the rest of the coup....
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...Julius Caesar When the name Julius Caesar is heard, it can only trigger the image of a great leader that led Rome into prosperity. Caesar's military excellence brought more power and more land; that lead to the increase of size and strength in Rome. His dictatorship helped the stability and prosperity in Rome. Caesar's assassination lead to a monarchy that was ruled by Octavin. His death lead to a domino effect ending in the ultimate collapse of the Roman Empire. Many people of the 21st century follow the path of Julius Caesar and try to be as great as he was. The assassination of Julius Caesar was a tragedy due to the contributions he made to Rome's prosperity during his life, and the chaos that occurred in Rome after his death. The contributions that Caesar made towards the strength of Rome's success, and the chaos and collapse of Rome after his death made the assassination of Julius Caesar a tragedy. Julius Caesar was assassinated by his own senate on March 15 44 BC; also known as the Ides of March. As he was walking in to the senate house, a man told him to beware the Ides of March. He ignored this statement and walked into the senate house. At this time some of the Senate members surrounded Caesar in a stealthy manner and tugged on his toga. As he looked around he was stabbed by many of the senate members multiple times. He collapsed to the ground and lay on the marble floor dead, next to the feet of Pompey's statue. (Nardo 94) Caesar's military eminence helped...
Words: 1615 - Pages: 7
...Julius Caesar is known as one of the greatest war tactions in history. His battlefield tactics are still used in modern day warfare. Had it not been for his narcissism, his accomplishments would have been even greater. Augustus Caesar, Julius’ nephew and adoptive son, succeeded his uncle as the new Emperor of Rome. Throughout this essay, I will discuss the achievements of Julius Caesar, the achievements of Augusts, and the qualities of both their personalities. Julius Caesar is known for his many conquests in ancient Roman history. It was an intrical part in making the Roman Empire as vast as it was between 58-50 BC. As a young aristocrat, Julius Caesar went to Greece to perfect his public speaking skills and his knowledge of philosophy (Starr, page 75). In 63 BC he secured election to the august post of “pontifex maximus,” which made him chief in the Roman religious affairs (Caesar, page 4). In 61 BC, after one year of being praetor, Julius became governor of a Spanish province. In 60 BC he returned from Spain with exceptional military experience and decided he wanted to be consul, and as a result, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed the first Triumvirate, which basically means they were the authority in the civilization. The triumvirate ruled for Caesar to be one of the consuls for the following year, 59 BC (Starr, page 79). After one year as consul, in Caesar appointed himself as governor of Illyricum and Cisalpine Gaul for...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
...Julius Caesar Theme Essay Persuasion in itself is a form of superiority. The conclusion from Julius Caesar's death is not only powerful, but fulfilling. Throughout the entire excerpt Caesar repeatedly voiced his prerogatives defiantly. This is not only because of this dedication towards the Roman citizens, but his commitment to his fellow peers. Although, some of his peers did not view his actions as beneficial, but more so as a negative impact towards society. One in particular, Cassius, who, by the power of persuasion, manipulated Brutus into his proclaimed conspiracy of killing Julius Caesar, along with several others. This act could not have been accomplished if it weren't for the capability of forging and perjury. These factors are also linked variables towards persuasion. Realistically, the “power” of Cassius, was subsequently altered into pure evil. This is proven throughout various scenarios that lead to the battle between Antony, a loyal acquaintance of Caesar, and Octavius, an appointed successor and the adopted son of Cassius, against Cassius and his men. Within the text Antony is able to recite Julius' will at his funeral, stating that a specific sum of his money be constituted to each of the fellow citizens of Rome, could this outcome come from a man that was assumed “ambitiously dangerous” to the community? No, however, this outcome is another form of power within the republic. In correlation with the specificity of word choice, Antony grieved the death of...
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...The lead up to Julius Caesar assassination compared to MLK were quite contrast. The conspirators thought that killing Caesar would reestablish democracy in Rome. He was a military commander, dictator, and politician. Brutus says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?…as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him”(Shakespeare Julius Caesar 3.2.21-7). Caesar had the loyalty with the army he had a lot of power and everyone knew it. A group of senators planned to collect knives and hide them and kill Caesar in Senate. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated because people did not approve of his actions....
Words: 466 - Pages: 2
...members of the conspiracy. What they did is unethical and not moral The members of the conspiracy were Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, and Cinna. The members wanted to stop the Julius Caesar dictatorship before it could happen. The conspirators Julius Caesar because they thought he was going to be a dictator. It is also wrong to kill someone just because you have different opinions and views than you. Julius Caesar was a the prerequisites for a ruthless dictator. ‘Caesar is a "serpent's egg," (act 2 s1 28-34) a dictator waiting to be hatched. If we find the egg, we recognize the kind when the kind is dangerous, better to kill the creature in the shell than let it hatch to perform its mischief”. This quote by Brutus is the main reason that the conspirators killed Julius Caesar. They thought he only becomes more powerful and more evil as he gets older. Therefore the conspirators thought they should kill him before he gains power. In Rome government is set up to one man(julius caesar) has all the power, This is grounds for a dictator. He was also unforgiving once he made up his mind he never changed it.....
Words: 679 - Pages: 3
...Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare William Shakespeare Renowned English poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare’s birth date is not known; however, he is said to have been baptized on the 26th of April 1564. He died on the 26th of April 1616 but not before he had written about 38 plays, 154 sonnets and other literary pieces. Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into several languages over the years and have been produced in many forms throughout the ages. The Play Julius Caesar is a play about friendship, betrayal and power. The play is a historical tragedy as it presents the biography of one of the greatest man to have ever lived in Rome. Caesar was made Dictator and Consol after he chased Pompey and his forces out of Rome in an attempt to obtain ultimate power. Caesar’s ultimate goal was to become Rome’s first king and he remained focus on this goal until his death in 44BC. His death was as a result of fate and his refusal to acknowledge the many signs and omens that foreshadowed his fall. Brutus a very good friend of Caesar also took part in his assassination. Brutus feared that Caesar would become a tyrant and harm the people of Rome. In an attempt to ‘save’ the people Brutus helped Cassius to take Caesar’s life. After Caesar’s death he is avenged by his loyal servant Antony who skillfully manipulates his way into the band of conspirators. Later, after winning the love of the people Antony pursues and conquers Brutus’ and Cassius’ forces...
Words: 4055 - Pages: 17
...debate of Julius Caesar is most likely whether Brutus should have joined the conspiracy. Brutus was right to collaborate in the conspiracy for multiple reasons. No one could have known how Caesar would handle the responsibility of the power in which comes with being king. Brutus believed strongly in the people of Rome as well as the Roman republic system. Similarly, he considered himself an expert judge of character and a loyal man making him a worthy leader of the assassination of Caesar. Caesar may have turned against the people who helped him after he became king, such as Brutus. Brutus had known of kings before in which had abused their power. There was no way of knowing whether Caesar would do this or not. Shakespeare uses an analogy of someone climbing a ladder to describe Caesars climb to power(II,i,22-27). Correspondingly, up until now he has used...
Words: 692 - Pages: 3
...Common Themes in Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet Shakespeare utilizes the supernatural and fate to pave the destiny of some of his characters in his tragedies. Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet appear to have a common novel theme of fate, betrayal to supremacy, and the struggle to restore providential power. Shakespeare uses rhetoric to effectively convey the idea of fate and the struggle against it. In all three of these Shakespearian tragedies characters encounter the emotion of disbelief and the struggle to seek refuge from fate and to ultimately live life as if it were their free will. In Macbeth and Hamlet, Shakespeare appears to use apparitions early in the play to effectively establish mysteriousness of the paths of these characters. By using apparitions Shakespeare clearly makes a distinction of the supernatural and reality. In these moments of these confrontations Shakespeare successfully establishes Hamlet and Macbeth’s mortality and their inevitability to succumbing to their fate. But were Hamlet and Macbeth actually doomed right away or were they in a situation where poor choices caused their downfall? H.B. Charlton thinks that Hamlet being that type of man he is, fails to kill Claudius right after King Hamlet has been murdered causing him to succumb to his fate (83). Also Julius Caesar and Duncan’s ghost appear in their plays. In each of these tragedies the main character has one emotion when he encounters fate, disbelief. Disbelief in the potential...
Words: 836 - Pages: 4
