...Plutarch's vivid writings on Julius Caesar's death, one of the most important moments in Roman history, has been a useful historical source for scholars threw out time. It inspired William Shakespeare's enactment of that fateful day. What made that day so eventful was that the Emperor Julius Caesar was stabbed repeatedly by who he claimed to be some of his closest friends. Plutarch's imagery from his writings helped display the horror that was Caesars assassination. There were many conspirators that took part in the assassination including one of Julius's most favored friends Brutus, who was also said to be one of Julius's illegitimate children. Brutus was one of the captains of the conspiracy and was heir to the Empire. Though the conspiracy...
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...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...
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...conspiracy's success in William Shakespeare's story of Julius Caesar is very rarely looked upon as a success. When the conspirators against Julius Caesar hatched the plan to assassinate him, they over- looked major key factors. Caesar was known as a great leader in Rome's society who who had gained great wealth and power. When Caesar had passed, Rome fell to ruins. The conspiracy was not a success because of Caesar's influence after death, Antony's loyalty to him, and the presence of Caesar's ghost. When the conspiracy finally went along with their plan to eliminate Julius, the people of Rome went mad. Caesar's influence after death made the citizens run the streets like maniacs. They acted as if they had just lost their whole world. Everyone including children were sobbing and screaming. " Men, wives, and children, stare, cry out, and run, as if it were doomsday!" (JC 3.1.98) After the conspirators were given the report of the people, they too wanted to do something to honor the Great Caesar. The leader's influence not only...
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...spirit? Brutus was evil for killing Caesar because he believed Cassius, who said Caesar corrupted the republic, even though Caesar was “supposedly” his friend. Brutus even had a guilty conscience of killing Caesar. 2. Do a search for information on the “Battle of Philippi.” • The Battle of Philippi started after the assassination of Caesar. • The Battle of Philippi took place in the year of 42 BC. • Cassius built a transverse dam to stop Antony from breaking Cassius’s and Brutus’s armies apart. • Cassius killed himself because he lost the battle. • Brutus defeated Octavius’s army. • There were two different battles at the Battle of Philippi. • The entire Battle of Philippi lasted...
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...Revenge in Julius Caesar Revenge. Revenge causes one to act blindly without reason. It is based on the principle of an eye for an eye, however this principle is not always a justified one to follow. In Julius Caesar, Antony seeks to avenge the death of Caesar. Antony acts on emotion which leads to the demise of Brutus, who is a noble man that does not deserve to be killed. Revenge is a central theme within Julius Caesar. Revenge In Julius Caesar Revenge in Julius Caesar Revenge. Revenge causes one to act blindly without reason. It is based on the principle of an eye for an eye, however this principle is not ... This is demonstrated through Antony s desire to avenge Caesar s death, and also the return of Julius Caesar s ghost. Revenge is again exemplified through the violent course of action, which is taken by the Plebeians in an attempt to seek justice for the assassination of their Roman superior. The theme of revenge is evident when Antony demonstrates a desire to avenge Caesar s death. After Caesar s death, Antony swears to take revenge on those who Revenge In Julius Caesar Revenge in Julius Caesar Revenge. Revenge causes one to act blindly without reason. It is based on the principle of an eye for an eye, however this principle is not ... murdered Caesar, And Caesar s spirit, ranging for revenge, With ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch s voice Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth...
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...The play “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” was a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the year 1599. It is one of the many plays that he wrote based off of true events from roman history (these include Coriolanus and Anthony and Cleopatra.) Julius Caesar the main character was a roman states man that played a large role that led to the demise of the roman republic and the rise of the roman empire. The senate granted him triumphs for his victories when he returned to Rome, soon after this he began making laws and legislatures and even passed a law that almost entirely terminated around a fourth of debts owed. Before his assassination Julius held both a dictatorship and the title of tribunate he was appointed dictator for about 10 years. The day of his...
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...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...
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...good orator, but not a good man lies beneath the speeches of Marcus Brutus and Marc Antony. In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Caesar’s friends are faced by an equal amount of hatred from the Plebeians with the aftermath of respected Julius Caesar’s death. There is a great struggle for the title of the noblest Roman between Brutus and Antony to reveal the most powerful and honorable man. The speedy fight for power are exposed quickly from each side of these Roman figures. After the assassination of Caesar, both Antony and Brutus relay speeches at the funeral that contain a significant amount of rhetorical techniques to their audience....
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...writing characters as tragic heroes. In Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the tragic hero is Brutus. Although the play is named after Caesar, Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger is the main character. The literary work focuses on the emotions, actions, and decisions made by Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger. Brutus is the best friend of Titular character, Julius Caesar. Gaius Julius Caesar is a member of the first Triumvirate of Rome, a form of government that is run by three people. Traditionally, a tragic hero is a character in a literary work who is usually of noble birth or who has notable ancestry. The character that is the tragic hero also has another distinguishing characteristic. The tragic hero has to have...
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...Marcus Brutus: Noble Hero with a Tragic Fate In his influential work Poetica, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” According to his analytical studies of literature which this quote appears in, successful tragedies achieve that deeper effect by arousing internal sensations of pity and fear in their audience through intricate character development of a virtuous and respectable protagonist. However, even a seemingly ideal character requires relatable flaws for their audience to connect on an emotional level with them; thus, authors of tragedies also give their heroes a hamartia, which Aristotle defines as a weakness in character. This single...
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...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...
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...What is a leader? A leader is a person who strives to better themselves and those around them. Good leaders are loyal and stay true to their word. They do what they think is right, no matter the consequences. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Caesar gets assassinated by his so called “friends”, who turned their backs on him. Mark Antony shows many of the qualities that leaders hold in the scene of Caesar’s funeral. Mark Antony was a close friend of Julius Caesar. In the scene of his speech, he proves to be a loyal friend to Caesar. Not only is he confident and noble, but he is also very persuasive and strong minded. When Brutus and the conspirators assassinated Caesar, Antony promised Brutus that he would not speak against the conspirators....
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...In William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the character Marc Antony is given emotional and intellectual depth for the first time during his soliloquy with Caesar’s body in act three scene one. This is the first time the audience’s opinion of Julius Caesar is softened. Before Caesar’s death, the audience only knows the conspirators’ opinion on the ruler of Rome. “think him a serpent’s egg which hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell.” Those who killed Caesar did not stab him for something he had done, but rather, for what he had the potential to do given enough power and opportunity. Marc Antony does not share this sentiment. He loved Caesar as much as Brutus did, but without doubting what Caesar would do with the power he is given. “Thou art the ruin of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times” Depending on who is playing the role of Antony, this can be a very moving scene. The emotional depth of Marc Antony plants a seed of doubt in the audience’s mind as to whether Caesar should have died or not. Marc Antony believes this assassination to be...
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...Julius Caesar full title · The Tragedy of Julius Caesar author · William Shakespeare type of work · Play genre · Tragic drama, historical drama language · English time and place written · 1599, in London date of first publication · Published in the First Folio of 1623, probably from the theater company’s official promptbook rather than from Shakespeare’s manuscript publisher · Edward Blount and William Jaggard headed the group of five men who undertook the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio narrator · None climax · Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other conspirators have lost in their attempt to keep Rome a republic rather than an empire. Ironically, the conspirators’ defeat is not yet as certain as Cassius believes, but his death helps bring about defeat for his side. protagonists · Brutus and Cassius antagonists · Antony and Octavius setting (time) · 44 b.c. setting (place) · Ancient Rome, toward the end of the Roman republic point of view · The play sustains no single point of view; however, the audience acquires the most insight into Brutus’s mind over the course of the action falling action · Titinius’ realization that Cassius has died wrongly assuming defeat; Titinius’ suicide; Brutus’s discovery of the two corpses; the final struggle between Brutus’s men and the troops...
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...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 Rome. Brutus continues later...
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