Julius Caesar Themes
The main themes in Julius Caesar are public and private selves, power and ethics, and words and letters.
- Public and private selves: While the rift between Caesar’s public and private selves contributes to his downfall, Brutus’s undoing can be partially attributed to the close alignment between his public and private selves.
- Power and ethics: Power is embodied in people, whether individuals or crowds, and proves a source of potential danger unless handled ethically and pragmatically.
- Words and letters: Julius Caesar demonstrates the power of words to impact events and comments on the role of poets and other wordsmiths in society.
Public and Private Selves
An interesting segue into the theme of public and private selves in Julius Caesar is through exploring notions of femininity and masculinity. Fear is often described as “womanish,” while the posturing of valor is described as manly. Similarly, various characters set up dichotomies between controlled and emotional, and strong and weak, among other binaries. For the male characters, this dichotomy also finds a parallel in public and private selves. For instance, Caesar is often described as “superstitious,” a quality considered cowardly and therefore feminine. This assessment of Caesar as superstitious is not off the mark, as can be seen in act 2, when he asks the priests to read the entrails of a sacrifice and tell his fortune. However, his public self cannot accommodate this weakness, which is why he publicly shuns the soothsayer who warns him about the Ides of March and rejects the entreaties of Artemidorus. Significantly, suppressing his private (feminine) self is what seals Caesar’s fate. The weight of his image begins to crush him, as he now has to live up to his own legend. Tellingly, he increasingly begins to refer to himself in the third person, the Caesar-self too ponderous for “I” to accommodate. From statements like “I rather tell thee what is to be feared / Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar” (act 1, scene 2), Caesar moves to
. . . Danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
We are two lions littered in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible.
And Caesar shall go forth. (act 2, scene 2)
The fissure between Caesar’s private and public selves also proves his weakness, which his foes exploit. For instance, Decius Brutus deliberately taunts Caesar with the danger of being perceived as cowardly if he stays home on his wife’s exhortation. Decius knows that Caesar—who is prone to epileptic seizures and physically not very strong—is prickly about projecting an unassailable, masculine self and bound to take his bait. Thus, Caesar sacrifices his private self for his public self, which, of course, means he is left with no self at all.
Antony uses the dichotomy between public and private more effectively. He publicly dissembles before the conspirators, only to privately curse them before Caesar’s corpse. Publicly, he promises Romans Caesar’s will, and privately he withdraws the promise. Yet Antony is not the tragic hero of the play; that is Brutus. It should be noted that not only are Brutus’s public and private selves closely aligned, but that closeness itself constitutes his dramatic flaw. Because Brutus’s own selves are aligned, he loses the ability to sense duality in others, becoming a target for their manipulation, be it from Cassius or Antony. Thus, the play does not offer a neat resolution to the problem of warring selves. Brutus’s consistency is perhaps desirable, at least earning him a great reputation. However, the realistic, cynical world of the play cannot allow him any more than a noble name.
Power and Ethics
In one sense, Julius Caesar is a meditation on the idea of power. In the play’s universe, even when radiating from a single person or ruler, power manifests itself through the people. The political structures in the play have vestiges of democracy, and democratic power is what the play’s highest ideas try to defend. However, does the mantle of democracy immunize power against corruption? What is unique about Julius Caesar’s treatment of power is that the play does not offer conclusive answers to these thorny questions, leaving them open-ended.
The theater of power in the play always includes the masses as a participating audience. Tellingly, the play opens in a public setting, where commoners are celebrating Caesar’s homecoming on the street. The opinion of the masses is always filtered and censored by their leaders, as in the case of Marullus and Flavius, the tribunes who instruct the masses not to celebrate Caesar. Thus, though the will of the people is important, those in power constantly try to police it. Brutus, who forms the center of ethical politics in the play, is convinced he is acting in the public interest of the Romans, yet he kills Caesar in the enclosed private space of the Senate and not on the street. Thus, he is well aware that he is taking a decision on behalf of Rome, with the vast majority of Romans knowing of the decision only after the fact.
Antony represents another kind of political leader, the charismatic orator who manipulates the public for his own ends. Though he may be popular, his moral authority is ambiguous. In the manner in which Antony whips the masses into bloodlust at Caesar’s funeral, there is a remarkable prescience about twentieth-century dictators like Benito Mussolini. Thus, what moves the masses may not be good for them or others. That which appeals to the reason of the people is infinitely better, to borrow Brutus’s favorite word. Brutus believes that the masses share his love for reason. However, the masses are governed less by reason than by emotion and may not always be ethically sound, as is revealed in their gruesome murder of the poet Cinna.
In Julius Caesar, Caesar’s tendency toward tyranny is not merely a fabrication of his enemies. Caesar’s increasing tendency to refer to himself in the third person, describe himself in a hyperbolic mode as the “North Star,” and dismiss the concerns of his well-wishers show his ambition is indeed excessive. However, the conspirators who desire to overthrow Caesar are not as noble as they’d like to be considered, not even Brutus. The flaws in their characters and strategy plunge Rome into chaos and unnecessary strife. The answer does not lie in Mark Antony either, whose dynamism is tempered by opportunism, such as when he diverts some of Caesar’s bequests to himself. The play—and history—suggests young Octavius Caesar is the answer. However, this hope is merely hinted at, and power in the universe of Julius Caesar remains a dangerous entity unless handled with a mixture of nobility and pragmatism.
Words and Letters
The role of words and letters, artists and poets, is significant in the play. Words are powerful in the world of Julius Caesar, which is why Cassius forges letters, purportedly from Roman citizens, to manipulate Brutus into joining their cause. Later, Artemidorus drafts a warning letter to Caesar, which, if Caesar deigns to read it, could save his life. Thus words are no less than a life-or-death matter. Yet they are frequently ignored, misconstrued, and rejected. Caesar ignores the soothsayer’s warning about the Ides of March, Brutus is conned by Cassius’s forgery, Artemidorus’s missive is never read. Often, failing to interpret words correctly or recognize the truth behind them can cost characters greatly. In act 4, the misguided exchange of words between Cassius and Pindarus ultimately leads to Cassius’s death, while in In act 3, Antony’s words trigger “civil strife.”
Against this backdrop, the role of those who live by words—poets, writers, teachers, and soothsayers—gains great importance. It is interesting that the play often depicts these characters with limited power, despite the importance of words. In act 3, Cinna the poet is attacked and killed by a mob, initially mistaken for Cinna the conspirator. However, the mob kill him even after they learn his true identity, “for his bad verses.” The soothsayer’s and Artemidorus’s warnings also go unheeded.
Through these characters, Shakespeare is making a commentary on the state of poets in his society. They may be valued, but their value is often questioned. Too often they are shunned for knowing too much, reading human nature too deeply, or making art that is thought irrelevant. Because chaotic Rome mirrors some of the uncertainty of Elizabethan society, Shakespeare seems to be saying that a society where poets do not have a place is a society that suffers.
Expert Q&A
The significance and meaning of the line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" in Julius Caesar
7 Educator Answers
Summary:
The line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" signifies Julius Caesar's shock and betrayal upon seeing his close friend Brutus among his assassins. It underscores the depth of the betrayal and marks Caesar's realization that his end is inevitable, as even those he trusted most have turned against him.
What is the significance of the line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" in Julius Caesar?
Caesar is surprised that his good friend and protege, Brutus, is part of the coup d'etat and assassination plot. This line shows the audience that Caesar has lost hope and faith. He is utterly fallen and betrayed. He gives up trying to fight off the assassins once he realizes that Brutas has joined in the conspirators.
Brutus here is portrayed as something of a Judas figure. The sense of betrayal of friendship is overwhelming. "Casca is the first to stab Caesar. It is fitting that Brutus be the last. Caesar’s words to him—Et tu Brutè? (and thou, Brutus?)—indicate his disbelief that his friend could do such a thing." (http://www.enotes.com/julius-caesar/act-iii-scene-1-summary-analysis)
What is the significance of the line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" in Julius Caesar?
Caesar's last words have significance in a couple of different ways.
1. Caesar is not surprised by Cassius's part in his assassination. Cassius had sided with Caesar's enemy Pompey and held a grudge against Caesar when Caesar gained the ultimate victory over Pompey. Caesar's line in Act 1 about Cassius having a "lean and hungry" look demonstrates his suspicion of the ringleader early on. Some of the other conspirators such as Metellus Cimber dislike Caesar because of his treatment of their friends and family. In contrast, Brutus was a respected Senator whose family had a long line of political involvement, and many historians believe that Caesar respected and appreciated Brutus. He saw him as a friend, and Brutus's difficulty in deciding whether to join the conspiracy illustrates his overall positive feelings toward Caesar. Thus, Caesar is surprised and devastated that someone such as Brutus has taken part in his downfall.
2. Some historians recorded that Caesar had had a relationship with Brutus's mother. Of course, that evokes many "yo mama" jokes, but undeniably, Caesar's alleged affair would have affected Brutus in ancient times just as it would affect a son today. No one wants to see his mother disparaged or the subject of gossip. Some rumors even circulated that Brutus was Caesar's illegitimate son and that that is why Brutus stabs Caesar in the groin. Of course, that is just speculation, but it makes for an interesting connection to Caesar's last words.
What is the significance of the line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" in Julius Caesar?
Since Marcus Junius Brutus was a teen, his uncle, Julius Caesar, had been carrying on an affair with his mother, Servilia. Added to this relationship, Caesar considered Brutus a beloved nephew. Further, while Shakespeare portrays Brutus as noble-minded, the historical records point to Brutus as more politico than appears in the play. For instance, Brutus sided with Pompey the Great against Caesar in the civil war in spite of the fact that Pompey had killed his father.
So, when the shocked Caesar asks, "Et tu, Brute?" [Latin for "And you, Brutus?] he expresses surprise that his beloved nephew would stab him, knowing also that his mother loves Caesar. He should not, however, have been surprised at any lack of loyalty on the part of Brutus since he previously sided against him with Pompey. On the other hand, Shakespeare has been known to have changed historical fact in other history plays, so in this play Brutus's relationship with Pompey may not factor into the motive for killing Caesar.
What is the significance of the line "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar" in Julius Caesar?
In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, the character of Marcus Brutus is alone among those conspiring against the increasingly dictatorial Caesar in acting reluctantly and only because he believed the assassination was vital to the survival of the Roman republic. While Cassius, Trebonius, Ligarius and the other members of the Senate involved in the conspiracy act out of less altruistic motives, Brutus holds firmly to the belief that Caesar’s autocratic ambitions bode ill for the quasi-democratic nature of the existing political system. In this, he is entirely sympathetic to the notion of eliminating his old friend and colleague. During the conversation when Cassius is attempting to recruit him for the deed, Brutus concedes that public support for the demagogic leader is reaching alarming proportions:
“What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.”
It is Brutus’ honor and general sense of loyalty – traits known by Caesar – that makes him an unlikely coconspirator. It is in this context that, as the assassins close in for the kill, the mortally wounded Caesar, recognizing the participation in his assassination of one so honorable, utters the classic line, “Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.” It is Brutus’ involvement in the scheme to murder him that leads the fallen, dying leader to lament the treachery while accepting its apparent inevitability.
In Julius Caesar, what does the quote "Et tu, Brute?-- Then fall, Caesar!" mean?
The literal translation is: Even you, Brutus? Basically, it is the ultimate betrayal by one's closest friend. This scene, in which the conspirators in the Senate assassinate Caesar, comes after the audience has just witnessed the arrogance and hubris of Caesar, who compares himself to the gods. Brutus, a friend of Caesar who loves Rome more, has joined the conspirators in the assassination, a betrayal which is captured by the three words above.
Then Fall, Caesar means that he will fall both as a man and also as the ruler of Rome.
What is the significance of Caesar's last words, "Et tu, Brute," in Julius Caesar?
Marcus Brutus was a dear friend of Julius Caesar. Even Brutus himself felt bad that he was involved in the plot to assassinate Caesar because he really had nothing personally against him. In Act II, Scene i, of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus faces a conundrum in deciding what should be his steps for the good of Rome.
After Cassius tries to enlist Brutus into the plot to assassinate Caesar, Brutus has to have time to think. He loves Caesar as a friend, true Roman hero, and great general. On the other hand, as a public servant, Brutus’s has as his first priority the good of the Roman Republic and the Roman citizens.
In trying to make up his mind to become a part of the conspiracy, Brutus spent many sleepless nights trying to find logical reasons for joining the conspiracy.
His final reasons involved these analogies:
1st
Think of Caesar as serpent seen in broad daylight. The smart person would avoid it and keep from being stung. If it is not avoided, then the serpent might bite the passerby and he would die from its venom. This might be Caesar if given too much power.
2nd
Think of Caesar as though he is a serpent still in its egg in the nest. As long as it remains in the egg, the serpent is harmless. If it hatches, it will be dangerous. So kill the snake while it is still in the egg. The same is true of Caesar. Kill him before he has so much power that he would be able to harm the Republic, the senators, and the people.
So, somewhat reluctantly, Brutus joins the conspiracy based on the possibility that Caesar might grow too powerful.
In Act II, Scene ii, the conspirators along with Antony show up to escort Caesar to the Capitol and later the senate.
Brutus is there as well. Caesar seems somewhat honored that these men should come to accompany him calling them all friends. He takes special note of Brutus and that he is honored that he has arisen so early to come with him. Brutus also gives an aside in which he notes that Caesar may not want these so-called friends so close to him.
In Act III, Scene I, the conspirators have planned to present a case to Caesar and have him speak about it as they surround him and then stab him. Brutus presents the case of Publius Cimber.
Brutus:
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Then Cassius speaks up. All moving closer to Caesar ironically as he speaks that he is as great and constant as the Northern Star. Suddenly, Casca strikes the first blow; then all of the conspirators except for Brutus begin to stab Caesar. He is stabbed at least 36 times. Finally, Brutus walks toward Caesar with his dagger out. Caesar in the final throes of death sees Brutus and in Latin states: “Et tu, Brute!” And you, too Brutus.
Caesar felt that he could trust Brutus. Other than Antony, Brutus was probably he closest ally in the Roman government. Hs inclusion into his death certainly would have surpised Caesar and greatly saddened as well. Marc Antony says it well: This was the unkindest cut of all.
According to Marc Antony who was not present, this burst Caesar’s heart and he fell ironically at the foot of Pompey, another great leader that Caesar had been responsible for killing. This ends the assassination. The next move by the conspirators will be to wash their hands and dip their napkins in the blood of Caesar.
Who said "et tu Brute?" in Julius Caesar?
The line "et tu Brute" is said by Julius Caesar himself. The rest of the line is "Then fall, Caesar." The line appears in Act III, scene i. After persuading Caesar to ignore the ominous dreams of his wife, Calphurnia, the conspirators accompany Caesar to the Capital. They use the pretense of a petition to draw close to Caesar without suspicion, asking Caesar to pardon Publius Cimber, the banished brother of conspirator Metellus Cimber. Kneeing, the members of the conspiracy beg Publius's pardon. Caesar's response is what they expect - Caesar, as constant as the sun cannot do as they request. From their kneeling positions, they each stab Caesar. Brutus's, who is a dear friend and confidante of Caesar, wound hurts Caesar the most, causing him to exclaim, "et tu, Brute," or "And you, Brutus?" Thus falls Caesar.
Themes in Julius Caesar
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act 1 introduces major characters and the central conflict, setting the stage for Caesar's assassination. It explores political discontent in Rome and the conspiracy against Caesar, highlighting key figures like Brutus and Cassius. Act 5 focuses on the themes of fate and misinterpretation during the final battle at Philippi. Cassius's suicide, resulting from a misinterpretation of events, underscores the tragic consequences of misunderstanding, contrasting with Antony's success due to his ability to read situations accurately.
What is the theme of Act 1 in Julius Caesar?
In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the first three acts are devoted to the assassination of Caesar. The last two acts explain the events after the murder and the final battle, which leads to the deaths of the leaders of the conspiracy.
Each of the scenes in the acts have a specific purpose. For example, in Act II, Scene ii, the action surrounds Caesar and the warnings that he ignores about going to the senate on the Ides of March.
In Act I, the purpose and theme of the entire act is to introduce the major characters, the conflict facing the main character, and the introduction to the conspiracy. Every scene is carefully planned to move the characters and action forward toward the killing of Caesar.
Act I, Scene i--The soldiers convey the understanding that not everyone is happy in Rome. The followers of Pompey blame Caesar for his death, so they do not want him to be made the emperor.
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey?
In addition, a humorous interplay between the workers and the soldiers would have pleased the Shakespearean audience.
Act I, Scene ii--The main characters are introduced in this scene. Furthermore, Cassius introduces the conspiracy to the audience and Brutus. Important tidbits of information are distributed by Casca and Caesar. For example, the audience learns:
- Calpurnia is barren
- The Soothsayer warns Caesar
- Caesar ignores him
- Cassius hates Caesar
- Caesar does not trust Cassius
- Brutus has been struggling within himself
All of this information serves to entice the audience to want more.
Act I, Scene iii--This is the eve of the Ides of March. It has been a terrible night and day with many signs and portents sent to show that the gods are not happy about the upcoming events. Cassius shows his disdain for the omens by baring his chest to be struck by lightning The conspirators are introduced and will meet to finalize the plans. Cassius suggests that he will commit suicide if Caesar becomes the emperor.
I know where I will wear this dagger then:
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
The end of the scene prepares the audience for Brutus's inclusion into the conspiracy.
In Act II, the Shakespearean audience now would be ready to listen to Caesar, Brutus, and prepare for the assassination.
What are some themes in Act 5 of Julius Caesar?
Act 5 depicts the final battle between Brutus and Cassius's forces against Antony and Octavius's at Philippi. It begins before the battle and closes with the death of Brutus himself—with the victor being Antony and Octavius.
I would say that one of the really interesting qualities about this act is the degree to which contrasting notions of fate and contingency are interwoven and in tension with each other. At the beginning of the act, Cassius voices a premonition that they will be defeated (one that will later prove true).
That being said, we can also see the role that human error itself plays in the outcome of the battle, particularly in the case of Cassius's suicide (which is the result of a misinterpretation of events on the battlefield). Even if one might say that they were fated to be defeated, at the same time, it's not so clear once you factor in the chaos of the battlefield itself. This is a very interesting tension which Shakespeare makes use of.
What are some themes in Act 5 of Julius Caesar?
One of the themes of this play that is evident throughout but perhaps particularly in Act V is that of misinterpretations. The death of Cassius, it is revealed, is a complete accident: he interprets what he sees and hears as defeat whereas tragically it actually means victory. He gets Pindarus to kill him out of the mistaken belief that his side is losing. Note what Messala says when he realises what has happened:
O hateful Error, Melancholy's child,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not?
The theme of misinterpreting the situation is therefore demonstrated through the death of Cassius, which is shown to be completely without cause given the success of his side. Throughout the play, the success or otherwise of the characters is shown to be the result of their ability to read or misread situations. This explains Antony's success in his speech in front of the people of Rome, as he manages to read their mood so sucessfully. It also explains the premature end of Cassius, as he is unable to interpret the signs of battle correctly.
Themes and Message in Julius Caesar
11 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Julius Caesar, Mark Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral is a pivotal moment, as he uses rhetoric to incite the Roman populace against the conspirators. Antony subtly praises Caesar and questions the motives of the assassins, while cleverly inciting civil unrest. The play's main themes include ambition, power, and the consequences of political actions. Shakespeare warns of the dangers of arrogance and the importance of self-awareness. The play explores the tension between fate and free will, highlighting the inevitable nature of historical events.
What is Mark Antony's message in Julius Caesar?
Marc Antony is a politician. Within minutes of Caesar's assassination, Antony appeals to the assassins to let him speak with them. He's led into the senate chamber where Caesar was killed and begs the assassins to kill him as well, invoking Caesar's name whenever possible.
ANTONY. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die;
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age. (3.1.171-1770)
Antony knows the assassins won't kill him—otherwise he'd be dead already, lying at Caesar's side.
Antony asks to be told the reasons that Caesar was killed—"That's all I seek" (3.1.243)—and to have Caesar's body taken into the marketplace and be allowed to speak to the people of Rome.
ANTONY. ... And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the marketplace,
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral. (3.1.244-247)
A couple of minutes ago he was begging to be killed, and now he's asking to be put in charge of the disposition of Caesar's body and his funeral orations.
Brutus is impressed by Antony's seeming humility and love for Caesar, and he readily agrees to Antony's requests. Cassius is not so easily impressed. He knows Antony much better than Brutus does, and he has serious reservations about letting Antony speak to the people.
CASSIUS. You know not what you do. Do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral.
Know you how much the people may be moved
By that which he will utter? (3.1.250-253)
Brutus reassures Cassius that he can control the situation and that nothing will go wrong by letting Antony speak, but he has some conditions for Antony, just in case.
BRUTUS. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do't by our permission,
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral. And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended. (3.1.263-270)
Antony has manipulated Brutus into giving him exactly what he wanted.
ANTONY. Be it so,
I do desire no more. (3.1.271-272)
The assassins depart, leaving Antony alone with Caesar's body. In his soliloquy, Antony says what he intends to do—and what the audience has by now anticipated he intends to do.
ANTONY. ... Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy
Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips(280)
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ... (3.1.276-284)
Antony intends to start a civil war.
In the following scene in the Roman Forum, Brutus delivers his funeral speech, but Antony—with a politician's impeccable sense of timing and spectacle—enters the Forum with Caesar's body and interrupts Brutus's oration.
Brutus finishes his speech, and, for some inexplicable reason, he exits the Forum, leaving Antony to do what he said he was going to do—"Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war" (3.1.293).
Antony's "Friends, Romans, countrymen" speech is essentially anticlimactic. Antony's message is inextricably linked with Antony's agenda, which is to incite the people to civil war against Brutus and the other assassins.
Antony uses every rhetorical device possible in his speech. At one point he pauses, overcome with grief.
ANTONY. ... Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me. (3.2.113-115)
Then he picks up his speech exactly where he left it, without missing a beat.
Ever the politician, Antony keeps talking, delighted by the sound of his own voice. He reads Caesar's will, and he keeps talking until he's incited the people into a frenzied rage, then turns them loose on the city.
ANTONY. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt. (3.2.272-272)
What is Mark Antony's message in Julius Caesar?
The public speech Antony gives at Caesar's funeral in Act III is carried out to create a political apex of agitation within the city. Antony the Tribune of the plebs speaks to 'the people' in a simple oratory they could understand, the conspirators murdered the man who fed and cared about you. Antony's funeral speech took full advantage of the existing political unrest in Rome, his message subtle but clear, it's us or them...which side would the people choose???
What is Mark Antony's message in Julius Caesar?
I assume you are referring to what Mark Antony says in Act III, Scene 2 -- in his funeral oration for Caesar.
In that speech, what he is basically doing is inciting the people of Rome to fight against the conspirators who have killed Caesar. He does this by praising Caesar and by denouncing (though he does this very subtly by pretending to praise them) the conspirators.
He says that Caesar was a generous, honorable man who was not trying to take power in Rome and that the conspirators were dishonorable.
What is the main idea of Julius Caesar?
In his funeral oration, Marc Antony tells the Romans, "Ambition should be made of sterner stuff" (Act III,ii,93). Ironically, Antony becomes much more brutally ambitious than Caesar, whom he professes to love. His ambition is "stern stuff," but the triumvirate of Lepidus, Octavius, and Antony--who cruelly makes a list of his political enemies--tears Rome in civil strife. Tragically for Brutus, also, the ambitions of the conspirators, especially Cassius and Casca supercede that of Caesar as well, and they persuade him to be part of the assassination. While Brutus kills Caesar because he "loved Rome more," the others have ambition as their goal. Unfortunately, the ambitious desires of the men leads to their deaths and civil war, the worst kind of war from the point of view of Shakespeare and many others.
Another theme, or point, to "Julius Caesar" is the "foul deed" of regicide. The act of killing a king is one that causes civil disorder and undermines the natural order. Shakespeare's audiences would have easily discerned this lesson as their country was run by a monarch, a monarch whom Shakespeare often had in his audience, in fact. Of course, the idea of the natural order is still in the consciousness of people today.
Finally, another lesson to be learned from 'Julius Caesar" is that one leader is not as tyrannical or evil as contemporaries often perceive. At least, the next leader may be worse, especially if the society is thrown out of order. To quote Marc Antony again,
The evil that men do lives after them,/The good is oft interred with their bones (III,ii,76-77)
What is the main theme in Julius Caesar?
It might be argued that the dominant theme in Julius Caesar is fatalism. This word is defined as:
The belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable.
Shakespeare was working with the actual events of history. Everything that happens in the play is already predetermined. Not only will Caesar meet his death on the Ides of March, but Antony will make a stirring funeral speech, Brutus and Cassius will commit suicide on the battlefield at Philippi, and everything else will work itself out exactly as fate ordained at the beginning of time.
Shakespeare shows men trying to shape the future, thinking that they have the power to do so. But from our perspective what happened in Rome before, during and after Caesar's assassination was inevitable. The events have been sealed by time. That is one of the interesting features of Julius Caesar. What we see happening has already happened. The actors playing Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and others are only actors. They have no power to change the outcome of the play.
In Act 5, Scene 1 Brutus seems fatalistic when he says:
O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known.
There are some contemporary thinkers who suggest that, since every effect must have a preceding cause, everything that has happened and will ever happen was predetermined at the time of the Big Bang. Like the doctrine of Solipsism, it is an interesting concept for the mind to play with but not subject to proof.
What is the main theme in Julius Caesar?
While there are a number of prominent themes in Julius Caesar, including ambition, manipulation, and competition; but it could be said that the most significant theme is humility. Accepting one's flaws is key to self-actualization (a state of mind not often achieved by Shakespeare's protagonists).
In Act I, scene 2, Cassius says to Brutus: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." Brutus is troubled by Caesar's rapid rise to prominence and wants to prevent him from becoming emperor. Cassius reminds him that Caesar is only a man, not a god, and that their own social ranking beneath him is their own doing and not Caesar's fault. Cassius is suggesting that their sense of self-worth is their own responsibility, and cannot be conferred by someone who may be perceived as being superior to them in a social context. But just as this conversation could be said to help convince Brutus his desire to destroy Caesar is righteous, it is also a potent reminder that he can choose his own destiny, and just as easily choose a path that is more morally sound.
What is the main theme in Julius Caesar?
One of the play's themes is the subordination of friendship and family ties to the dictates of power politics. Brutus is supposed to be Caesar's close friend—one of his closest, in fact. And yet he has no hesitation in joining the assassination plot against him and participating in his murder.
Brutus is focused on the bigger picture. He genuinely loves Caesar as a friend, but as he explains in his speech to the Roman people, he loves Rome more. He's genuinely come to believe that his good friend represents a serious threat to the Republic and wants to turn himself into a king. So Brutus shows himself willing to put aside his personal feelings for what he sees as the good of Rome.
Later on in the play, the members of the Triumvirate—Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus—are drawing up a hit list of potential victims they intend to kill after they've won the civil war and taken power. The list includes members of their own families—such as Lepidus's brother and Mark Antony's nephew, Publius—who are clearly expendable when it comes to the acquisition of power.
What is the main theme in Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar is a complex play, with multiple themes running concurrently. One major theme found throughout the text is the theme of "power and leadership." We see what happens when Caesar's power goes unchecked (he is promptly murdered by his former peers) and we, as an audience, also question who holds the real power in the play. Cassius does not hold the same leadership position as Caesar, but is still able to ultimately determine Caesar's fate.
Speaking of fate, the role of fate vs. free will would be a second theme worth mentioning in the text. This text, in particular, is full of omens and premonitions. Would Caesar have died if he had obeyed the Soothsayer and stayed indoors on the fateful Ides of March? Again, this theme appears in several incarnations within the text.
What is the message in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?
Shakespeare provides many messages for the reader in Julius Caesar. Two of the most important messages involve being aware of others and being aware of ourselves.
One message is to be wary of those people that may seem to love us most, because even the most seemingly friendly people might be hiding their true intentions. For example, Cassius tries to present himself to Brutus as noble and well-intentioned, but this is really a false front to justify the assassination plot and convince Brutus to turn against Caesar. Julius Caesar also falls victim to such deception; he trusts his dear friend Brutus deeply, and yet it is Brutus who delivers the blow that ends Caesar's life.
Another message that Shakespeare conveys in Julius Caesar relates to the dangerous ways in which arrogance and pride may blind us to things going on around us. For example, Julius Caesar is too full of pride to believe that he can be harmed. He refuses to listen to the multiple warnings of soothsayers, and he fails to heed the ominous warnings found in the workings of nature. He is so sure of his own invincibility that he does not see the malicious motives of others and the fatal plans they made to end his life. Shakespeare urges us to remember that even the strongest can fall victim to flattery and overconfidence.
All in all, Shakespeare's message is that a greater awareness of ourselves and others can help prevent terrible things from happening in our lives.
What is a general theme of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
Themes are subjective in nature. If you asked a hundred people, even Caesar scholars, for the theme of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, you might get a hundred possible answers.
A theme should explain the meaning behind a work in its totality. It can’t just explain Act I, or the climax, or any part of story while ignoring the other parts. It should also be a statement about human life that is universally true; that is, it should be true for people everywhere.
With that in mind, we need to look at the play as a whole. Since Caesar dies halfway through the story, the theme shouldn’t be solely about his actual attempt to grab power, because that’s over at that point. I think we need to look at Brutus; he was the character that really moved the action, for better or for worse.
Brutus’ goals and actions are based on his conviction that he should be “honorable.” We see this trait in Act III, Scene II, as Brutus speaks to the people following the assassination of Caesar. He appeals to his, and his audience's, sense of honor:
Believe me for mine
honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may
believe.
However, his attempt to be honorable does not guarantee political or military success. In fact, it actually helps bring about his downfall, because “honorable” decisions like not killing Antony and allowing him to speak at Caesar’s funeral ultimately work against him.
With this in mind, I would say the theme to The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is: Being true to one’s moral convictions does not guarantee worldly success. We see this in the fact that Brutus is true to his moral convictions, but he fails to accomplish his goal.
What themes are emphasized in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar is a political play written by William Shakespeare. The play is based on actual events which took place in 44 B.C. Shakespeare portrays Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March by a group of conspirators who feared the ambitious leader would turn the Roman Republic into a tyrannical monarchy.
The play was written in 1599 during the reign of Elizabeth 1. There were many questions concerning the heir to throne of England because the queen had no child. The government was in turmoil. Shakespeare asks his audience to watch Julius Caesar and think about the parallels between ancient Roman history and the contemporary politics.
Many motifs were illustrated in the play. These themes focused on issues which the conspirators faced as well as Caesar and Marc Antony.
Part of the impetus of the play speaks to the political disorder found in Rome. The people are so fickle that they support whoever is speaking at the time. Regicide always undermines the normal affairs of the government and civil disorder ensues.
Brutus:What means this shouting? I do fear the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
Cassius: Ay, do you fear it?
Ambition is certainly at the heart of the drama. Caesar was ambitious. He did want to be king of Rome. What kind of ruler he would have been will never be known. Brutus became a part of the conspiracy because he feared Caesar’s ambition to be the monarch of Rome. Antony refers to Caesar’s ambition several times to exemplify his lack of it. Cassius certainly was ambitious because he thought himself better than Caesar and just as deserving of the crown.
Why, man, he [Caesar] doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs
Logic versus passion develops as Cassius and Brutus give their reasons for desiring the death of Caesar. Cassius detests Caesar for personal reasons. He thinks that Caesar is weak, sick, and unworthy; he believe that Caesar is certainly no better. Brutus, on the other hand, uses logic to decide his reasons for murdering Caesar. His decision is based on history and the fact that Caesar might become too powerful.
Antony’s and Brutus’s orations also illustrate this theme. When Brutus speaks to the crowd, he uses logic and is basically without emotion. At the time, his oratory is successful. However, when Antony and all of his passion, grief, hatred, and fury speaks to the Roman people, they are so incensed that they want to kill all of the conspirators when they find them.
The fates and omens expose the superstitious nature of the Roman people as well as the English audiences. Shakespeare uses the Soothsayer as a means to foreshadow the death of Caesar. The eve of the Ides of March is a terrible day and night. Casca tells Cassius of the strange portents that had gone through the streets of Rome:
A common slave—you know him well by sight--Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn...Against the Capitol I met a lion, who gazed at me.
The fortune tellers have examined the entrails of a sacrificed animal and found that it did not have a heart which would symbolize the lack of a leader.
Each of the themes added to the authority of the drama as a political play and the characterization of those who would commit regicide. As in all tragedies, Brutus is killed, and Antony establishes himself as part of the new government
The roles and examination of power and ambition in Julius Caesar
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
Julius Caesar examines power and ambition through its characters and their actions. Caesar's ambition for power leads to his assassination, while Brutus and Cassius's desire to control Rome drives them to betrayal. The play explores how the pursuit of power can corrupt individuals and incite conflict, ultimately questioning the moral consequences of political ambition.
How does Shakespeare examine power and ambition in Julius Caesar?
At the beginning of the play, Julius Caesar is by far the most powerful man in Rome, but many of the aristocracy and public officials believe that his ambition is still not satisfied. They are dismayed at Caesar's popularity with the common people, and assume that he must be currying favor with them for some reason, perhaps to become the first King of Rome for 500 years.
The Kings of Rome were expelled, according to legend, by a group of Roman noblemen led by Lucius Junius Brutus, who then founded the Roman Republic. His descendent Marcus Junius Brutus is now a close friend of Caesar's. Cassius, while forming his conspiracy against Caesar, realizes that he is bound to be accused of envy and ambition if he assassinates Caesar. He therefore needs the support and involvement of the one man in Rome who is generally believed to be above personal ambition: Brutus.
In act 3, scene 2, Shakespeare shows the transience of power, which rests in the hands of the fickle Roman mob. Despite the mob's initial enthusiasm for Brutus, Mark Anthony is able to transform his rhetorical power into real political power. Shakespeare speeds up a process which historically took many months in order to have Brutus and the other conspirators fleeing for their lives. Although Mark Anthony praises Brutus at the end of the play, there is implicit in his encomium to "the noblest Roman of them all," the idea that a man without ambition, who thinks only of his own honor, is not fit to wield power.
What is the significance of power and ambition in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
Power and Ambition are both major themes in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. After all, one need only read as far as the exposition to discover the grumblings of the social elite against those in power who publicly express political ambition. In this play, having power is the equivilant of painting a giant target on your forehead and walking onto a shooting range. Once someone is known for their power, everyone seems to find reasons why they should be separated from that power. Be it a Cassius who is jealous and unwilling to submit to the authority of one (Caesar) who he feels is weaker and less able to lead than himself, or a Brutus who believes an unequal distribution of power will lead to the downfall of the Roman state, nearly every major character in this play has something to say about those who hold power.
If power is a fatal quality in this play, then ambition must be it's evil cousin. Ambition is a truly double-edged sword, in that it propels would-be leaders into positions of authority, and eventually leads to their downfall. If Brutus hadn't developed a sense of ambition in terms of leading the Roman state, then perhaps he wouldn't have had to turn the knife used to slay mighty Caesar upon himself. Mark Antony and Octavius also fought for power, but more out of a sense of just revenge than Brutus' twisted sense of political balance.
Explain the roles of power and ambition in Julius Caesar.
Power and ambition consume several of the characters in Julius Caesar. Caesar is concerned with his power and fears the information provided to him by the soothsayer and others.
Cassius is consumed by his greed for power and envelopes Brutus into his conspiracy to capture the power from Caesar. As noted in the other posting, the speech by Marc Antony is important in understanding the issue of power in the play.
Of course, Marc Antony and Octavius also have a quest for power and ambition as well, even though they rescue the Roman Empire from the hands of the conspirators, Cassius and Brutus.
Brutus and Cassius: Relationship Dynamics and Human Nature in Julius Caesar
18 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius share a complex relationship characterized by deep friendship, mutual respect, and manipulation. Cassius, envious of Caesar's power, seeks Brutus's noble reputation to legitimize the conspiracy against Caesar. Brutus, driven by idealism and concern for Rome's future, joins Cassius, leading to Caesar's assassination. Despite disagreements and shifting power dynamics, their bond endures until their tragic ends in battle, highlighting themes of loyalty and the corrupting nature of power.
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar?
Brutus and Cassius are extremely close friends who have known each other for a very long time. It is exactly because they love each other so intensely that they feel able to speak plainly to one another, even when they disagree. Their fiercest arguments are swiftly resolved. There is a telling moment in Act 4, Scene 3, when Brutus confesses that when he spoke harshly, he was "ill-tempered" and did not mean it; Cassius asks for his hand, and Brutus promises his "heart too." Early in the play, Cassius is convinced that his friend Brutus is the most valuable person he can possibly recruit to his cause. He knows that Brutus does not see himself in such a way but offers to be a "mirror" to show Brutus the qualities in himself which he does not suspect are there.
The relationship between the friends is at times turbulent, with each accusing the other of being less skilled militarily and each seeking to persuade the other to his point of view. Ultimately, however, their friendship is built not only on mutual respect but upon the deepest affection.
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar?
In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, act 4, scene 2, Cassius calls Brutus "noble brother," but the two are actually brothers-in-law, for Cassius's wife is Brutus's sister.
Further, Brutus and Cassius are both respected Roman leaders and close friends. Cassius, in fact, comforts Brutus and reminds him that he is an honored member of society. Brutus and Cassius are also both deeply concerned that Julius Caesar will assume a kingship that could end the Roman Republic, and Cassius is clear that Caesar does not have the qualifications to rule in that capacity.
Cassius is already scheming at this point. He wants to eliminate Caesar, and he wants Brutus to help him. But Brutus is hesitant. He is less emotional and more rational than Cassius, and he needs proof that his fears might come to pass. Cassius decides that he needs to motivate his friend, but he does so in a highly dishonest way. Cassius has some letters forged, making the documents look like they come from the Roman people to express their own concerns about Caesar's potential power grab and rule. Cassius then makes sure Brutus gets these letters.
Brutus believes that the letters are real, and he agrees to join Cassius's conspiracy. The two men thus become coconspirators and then murderers of Julius Caesar. They also become exiles when they are driven out of Rome and army leaders as they raise their troops to fight the Romans. They argue now, and their friendship becomes strained. By the end of the play, both Brutus and Cassius are dead.
In Julius Caesar, what are Cassius's feelings toward Caesar and what does he want from Brutus?
For a long time, Cassius and Caesar were friends and equals. Then Caesar began to break away and achieve greatness. Now, Cassius deeply resents and is envious of his former buddy. He fears that he will in the not-so-distant future have to bow and scrape to someone he considers no better than himself.
We can all understand this. Nobody wants their friend and equal to become their boss and have to listen to his orders and knuckle under to his desires. However, most people might decide to find another career or retire to the far edge of the empire. Cassius, however, decides the answer is to murder Caesar.
Cassius knows that murdering Caesar is not going to go over well with the
public in Rome. The average person—the plebian—loves Caesar with all his heart
because Caesar has taken exceptionally good care of his people. As far as
Cassius is concerned, it will do no good to murder Caesar if the crowd turns on
him and the other conspirators.
Cassius therefore needs someone of the highest character to participate in the
murder plot so that it doesn't look like what it really is: killing a great man
out of petty jealousy and resentment. He needs to present it as an enormous
sacrifice the assassins made in killing someone they loved to save Rome from
his turning into a tyrant. If Brutus, a highly respected man of courage and
character, participates in the plot, it will be much easier to convince the
public of the noble intentions of the conspirators.
Cassius is able to manipulate Brutus into participating in the assassination by convincing him that it is for the good of Rome. The play thus becomes on one level, a character study, showing how a person of the highest honor can be deceived because he doesn't understand that other people don't operate out of the same high values.
In Julius Caesar, what are Cassius's feelings toward Caesar and what does he want from Brutus?
Cassius certainly does not fear expressing his sentiments about Caesar and he does so with particular relish during his conversation with Brutus in Act l, scene ll. He clearly sees Caesar as weak for he describes an incident in which he had to save the general's life when they went swimming. Caesar grew tired and cried out to him for rescue. He resents the fact that Caesar has gained so much power and that he must bend to his authority. He states:
...this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him...
He recalls other incidents as proof of Caesar's frailty, such as the fact that he has epileptic attacks and behaves, in this condition, like a girl and a coward. He expresses outrage that a man as feeble as Caesar should be so glorified and be asked to alone lead the majestic Rome.
Cassius is clearly resentful, bitter and jealous of Caesar. A reason for his ill-feeling might stem from the fact that he knows Caesar neither likes nor trusts him, for he says:
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus:
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius,
He should not humour me.
We learn, at this stage of the play, that Cassius is plotting against Caesar and wants him out of the way. He realizes that Brutus would be a strong ally in his pernicious venture. Because Brutus is so well-loved and admired, his involvement in the scheme would give it credibility. Furthermore, Brutus is much loved by Caesar and is an honorable man. If he agrees to help, they might secure a greater closeness to the general which can only benefit their cause by making a direct attack much more possible.
In order to win Brutus over to join his scheme, Cassius slyly compares the two of them to Caesar. He emphatically states that there is no comparison and that Caesar is weaker than them, by far, so why should they bow to him? He cleverly flatters Brutus by accentuating his good qualities and contrasts these with Caesar's frailties. He uses shrewd rhetoric to play with Brutus' mind. When Brutus expresses fear at Caesar being crowned emperor, he jumps at the opportunity to draw him into his conspiracy.
Cassius' persistence pays off and without undertaking any firm bond, Brutus promises to consider what Cassius has said and states, in part, the following:
...To-morrow, if you please to speak with me,
I will come home to you; or, if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cassius is, obviously, overjoyed that Brutus has not rejected his appeal outright and he then makes plans to further influence him to join his cause.
In Julius Caesar, what are Cassius's feelings toward Caesar and what does he want from Brutus?
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Cassius is jealous and envious of Caesar. He sees Caesar as just an ordinary man, like himself. He tells the story of a time when he rescued Caesar from drowning, which demonstrates, in his own mind, anyway, that he is even Caesar's superior. Yet, Caesar, not Cassius, is praised by the Roman crowd and offered a crown by Antony. Cassius, of course, is also ambitious himself, and is interested in personal gain.
Brutus is Caesar's loyal supporter and a preeminent man of power in Rome. He has both power and influence. He is politically of higher rank than Cassius. Cassius needs his approval in order to go ahead with something as grand as the assassination of Caesar. Cassius needs Brutus's support.
Ironically, while Cassius needs support from Brutus to go ahead with his plan, he'd have been much better off leading the conspiracy himself, once the assassination was over. Cassius makes sound decisions, while Brutus causes the civil war and the eventual destruction of the conspirators.
Describe Brutus and Cassius' friendship in Julius Caesar.
The friendship between Brutus and Cassius is not particularly cordial when we first meet them. They associate with each other because they are brothers-in-law. Cassius is married to Brutus' sister. Since these two characters are going to be so important to the play and so closely associated together, Shakespeare felt it necessary to distinguish them with obviously contrasting personalities. Cassius shows that he is cunning, calculating, manipulative, envious, and miserly. He reveals his true self after the two men separate at the end of Act 1, Scene 2. He says to himself:
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see
Thy honorable metal may be wrought
From that it is disposed; therefore it is meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius,
He should not humor me. I will this night,
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
As if they came from several citizens,
Writings, all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at.
And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
Brutus, by contrast, is everything Cassius is not. Brutus is a philosopher and a patriotic Roman. He is a bookish man, and like most such men he is not worldly wise or good at judging others. He misjudges Cassius, and later he spoils the whole conspiracy by trusting Marc Antony. Brutus and Cassius should not be friends. They become sincerely friendly at the end of the play because they have been through so much together and are facing a battle which could result in total disaster for both of them. Cassius has been friendly towards Brutus because he wants to use him. Brutus has reciprocated Cassius' friendliness because he believes this deceptive man is actually sincere. Sincerity is not a part of Cassius' makeup, whereas sincerity means everything to Brutus. He is incapable of deceit, while Cassius is incapable of honesty and can't even understand it. The bitter quarrel these two men have in Act 4, Scene 2 was inevitable, since they are such different types. Brutus realizes that he totally misunderstood Cassius' character, while Cassius realizes that Brutus is not as easy to manipulate as he had expected. They become friends on the battlefield at Philippi because they have no other friends in the entire world. It was an unfortunate partnership from the beginning.
What is the relationship between Cassius and Brutus in Julius Caesar?
In the beginning of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius wants to control Brutus. In act 1, he effectively persuades Brutus to recognize Caesar’s growing power by appealing to Brutus’s patriotism and flattering his sense of nobility and honor. Cassius knows Brutus well and is aware of how easy it is to manipulate him. The manipulation works; Brutus is persuaded that Caesar must be killed, and thus, Brutus joins the other conspirators to plan Caesar’s death.
But once Brutus joins the conspiracy, the power in the relationship shifts. Brutus becomes the dominant leader as they make plans to kill Caesar. Once they have killed Caesar, it is Brutus who allows Mark Antony to speak at the funeral against Cassius’s wishes. Brutus is motivated by idealism, and he trusts Antony to be true to his word. But Cassius is much more practical, and he sees the dangers in allowing Antony to speak to the crowd. However, unlike in act 1, Cassius is unable to persuade Brutus to follow his advice. This leads to their downfall as Antony masterfully turns the people of Rome against the conspirators.
In act 4, Brutus and Cassius argue over their different approaches to running the war against Antony and Octavius. Brutus, ever the idealist, condemns Cassius for taking bribes. Cassius, ever the pragmatist, condemns Brutus for being so hard on him and not treating him like a true friend would. Their argument explodes until Cassius demands that Brutus kill him since Brutus no longer loves him. This dramatic moment reconciles the two friends, as they realize their hot words are not sincere. Brutus reveals that his wife has committed suicide, and as a result, it is hard for him to deal with the grief. Cassius feels guilt for having added to his troubles, and they drink a cup of wine to “bury all unkindness.”
Despite this reconciliation, Brutus still remains deaf to Cassius’s advice about their upcoming battle plans. Cassius realizes Brutus’s ideas will not work, but he goes along with his friend’s plan to march on the plains of Philippi. There on that battlefield, both friends meet their deaths. They are insistent upon dying with honor and in a way that they know would be respected by the other.
How has Brutus and Cassius's relationship changed since the start of Julius Caesar?
In Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, Cassius and Brutus have shown different motivations in killing Caesar. They have argued with one another while each tries to follow his own vision.
First, the relationship between Brutus and Cassius is based on a lie. Brutus was concerned that if Caesar became king, it would change him which would harm Rome. Brutus, with all his faults, put the good of Rome before all else.
Cassius, on the other hand, approaches Brutus to join the conspirators in assassinating Caesar. Brutus is not sure, but Cassius plans to falsify papers that will prove Caesar has committed crimes against the state of Rome. Ultimately, Brutus joins. Cassius, however, does not share the noble reasoning that governs Brutus' actions: Cassius hates Caesar because he once saved Caesar's life and believes he has not been rewarded enough—that he is treated the same as every other citizen of Rome. His reasons for killing Caesar are completely selfish.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the two would fight. At one point, the two fight because Cassius believes that Brutus has mistakenly judged one of Cassius' men for "taking bribes." What sits at the center of their fighting, though, is the level of "love and honesty" the men have for each other—at least from Cassius' perspective. Even as they make plans to got into battle, they cannot agree upon their strategy.
Cassius is the one behind the plot to kill Caesar. He is an excellent judge of men, their strengths, weaknesses, etc. However his is not completely honest with Brutus, and he also fails to take a stand against Brutus when he does not agree with him, something he would probably not do with another man. (Cassius might resent this.) Cassius tricks Brutus into joining the plot, though he cannot prove any of the criticisms he has of Caesar. The best Cassius can do is criticize Caesar's physical shortcomings; he cannot admit that Caesar's leadership and superior military strategies have allowed him to be so successful as Rome's leader. Cassius agrees with some of Brutus' decisions, though his heart does not agree. For instance, Cassius wants to kill Mark Antony and Caesar, but Brutus disagrees, wanting them to be guilty only of "sacrifice" with Caesar, but not "butchery" which Brutus believes would be the case if they kill Antony.
Later the two men have a terrible fight, where Cassius accuses Brutus of no longer loving him; Brutus says he does not like Cassius' faults. Cassius says that if Brutus no longer loves him, he would prefer Brutus to kill him there. Cassius says:
There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart (110)
Dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold.
If that thou best a Roman, take it forth;
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart.
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar, for I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better (115)
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
In some ways Cassius seems rather pitiful in his approach to Brutus; Brutus comments that Cassius too quickly becomes angry and then becomes calm again. The men brush aside their differences and they are of one mind again. Brutus then admits that his wife, Portia, has killed herself.
Perhaps the murder of Caesar begins to take its toll. Cassius will never truly be able to battle his sense of insecurity, as he felt with Caesar, and Brutus is an honorable man who killed the leader he loved. Now his wife is dead. It is no wonder the two have grown apart.
What are Caesar's feelings towards Cassius and why?
Caesar feels suspicious of Cassius and somewhat apprehensive, although Caesar twice denies that he is afraid of him. Caesar explains to Antony in detail what he thinks of Cassius and how he feels about him. Caesar shows himself to be a shrewd judge of character, because his appraisal of Cassius is close to what we have seen to be the truth. Cassius is already plotting to organize a group of similar-minded men to assassinate Caesar.
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not,
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,
He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
Caesar is certainly right in thinking that men like Cassius are very dangerous. He feels this way especially about men who read much, are great observers, and who look quite through the deeds of men. Caesar is especially sensitive about having a man like Cassius look through his own deeds because he has been directing all his efforts towards the goal of becoming the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He is intensely ambitious, although he tries to hide his ambition from others and is successful in doing so with most people. However, he knows that Cassius can see right through him. Caesar can't fool everybody. Cassius understands him through and through. Cassius is "very dangerous," therefore, in being able to inform others about Caesar's intentions and probable actions. And, of course, Cassius is dangerous in being capable to plotting to have Caesar killed--which he does. Cassius seems to want Brutus to become a member of the conspirators partly to lend them a facade of honor and patriotism, but also to allay Caesar's suspicions and his caution. Brutus is Caesar's best friend. Caesar would naturally think that anyone who was a good friend of Brutus could not be a secret enemy of himself. Cassius is not only disliked by Caesar, but he is not well liked by anyone. He knows he needs someone like Brutus to dignify and justify the assassination he has in mind.
There are many people like Cassius, and we can meet them today. One striking characteristic which Caesar notes about such men is:
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
What are Caesar's feelings towards Cassius and why?
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare begins as Caesar is about to enter Rome and join festivities honoring him for defeating his rival Pompey. As a result of his military victory, he has become the head of the Roman Republic. Brutus is a nobleman, a Roman senator, and a close friend to Caesar. The conflict presented in the drama centers around the decision by Brutus to join in the assassination plot against his good friend Caesar for the benefit of the Republic. Despite the relationship between Brutus and Caesar, Brutus is persuaded by Cassius—who is jealous of Caesar—to betray Caesar for fear that he has accumulated too much power and desires to become a king. Brutus believes that establishing Caesar as a tyrant would be detrimental to Rome, although there is no proof of Caesar’s bad intentions.
With the conflict in this play clearly established, Brutus, not Caesar, becomes the major character. As a result, most of the evidence of Caesar’s feelings for Brutus comes from Brutus himself:
BRUTUS.
What means this shouting? I do fear the people
Choose Caesar for their king.CASSIUS.
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.BRUTUS.
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.
At this early point in the play—specifically act, scene2—it is apparent that Brutus and Caesar view each other in amicable terms.
Caesar is aware that Brutus is loyal to him, and in this same scene Brutus even warns Caesar that “a soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.” Throughout the play, Brutus consistently expresses his respect, loyalty, and friendship for Caesar. In Ancient Rome, approaching the head of the Roman Republic would not be permitted except for citizens close to the leader. Caesar allows Brutus to appear with him in public and speak to him openly, which would further suggest that Caesar’s friendship with and respect for Brutus is strong.
Perhaps the most direct evidence of Caesar’s feelings for Brutus is found during the assassination of Caesar in act 3, scene 1, when he exclaims, “Et tu, Brute?—Then fall, Caesar!” Caesar is taken completely by surprise by his friend’s murderous actions. This demonstrates the great respect he has had for Brutus.
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar?
Cassius and Brutus are brothers-in-law who conspire to assassinate Julius Caesar toward the beginning of the play. Brutus is depicted as a relatively naive individual who gets taken advantage of by several characters in the play. In contrast, Cassius is portrayed as a shrewd politician, who is willing to do whatever it takes to prevent Caesar from becoming a monarch. Cassius knows Brutus rather well and cunningly manipulates him by mentioning how Caesar's ambition will harm the Roman citizens. Brutus inherently trusts Cassius enough to join the conspirators, who carry out a serious crime against the most powerful man in Rome. The fact that Brutus fully trusts his brother-in-law, and that Cassius thoroughly understands how to motivate him, indicates that the two characters are close allies and friends.
Before the final battle at Philippi, Brutus receives word that Cassius has been selling offices. Brutus is deeply hurt by this betrayal. Cassius and Brutus get into a serious argument but eventually reconcile with each other. Their ability to move forward following their argument illustrates their close bond and willingness to trust each other. While Cassius and Brutus do not share the same motivation, they support and work with each other throughout the play. Despite the fact that Brutus does not follow all of Cassius's suggestions, he is willing to conspire with him against Caesar and fight Octavius's and Antony's forces.
What is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar?
In my opinion, they're buddies that were driven apart by conflict. Here's the best way I can describe it. I played on a pretty good football team in college. We should have finished the season undefeated, but at one point found ourselves losing in the second half. All of us on the team were pretty good buddies at this point, as you normally are when you spend that much time together. However, on the sideline of this game we just couldn't stop pointing fingers and complaining about what was happening. This eventually led to our loss in that game.
This is how I see Brutus and Cassius. They are obviously bonded strongly by friendship as we can see during their conversations in act one and their farewells at the end. But when things started to look a little bleak, they really struggled with their own friendship. They did manage to patch it up just in time to kill themselves, but that rift in act four had to be weighing on both of their minds.
I think even more than friendship, they probably respected each other's ideals. Cassius certainly used this against Brutus to get his own means, but isn't that what friends do from time to time? Granted this is a little worse than what we would consider day-to-day, but the principle is still the same.
In Julius Caesar, who understands human nature better: Brutus or Cassius?
An evaluation of the results wrought by the judgments and observations of Brutus and Cassius reveal which character is the idealist and which the pragmatist. And, of course, the pragmatist always has a better understanding of human nature. So, while both Brutus and Cassius are flawed, Cassius does seem to be the one who better understands human nature.
Brutus
- Even when Brutus deliberates about joining the conspirators at the beginning of Act II, he bases his decision on his noble ideas, deciding that Caesar may "scorn...the base degrees/By which he did ascend"(2.1). So, he concludes that in order to protect Rome from his tyranny, he must join the assassins because he does not believe Caesar will continue to be just and honorable if given the authority of kingship.
- Again Brutus is flawed by his idealism and poor judgment when he allows Marc Antony to address the Romans in a funeral oration after Caesar's death despite Cassius's warning that he knows not how Antony may move the crowd. "I know not what may fall; I like it not" (3.1). Antony does move the crowd, so much that a civil war begins.
- In Act IV Cassius wants their troops to remain where they are and make their enemy march to them, but Brutus does not agree, convinced idealistically that
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries. (4.3)
This decision is a fatal one as the troops are so enervated by marching to Philippi that they are defeated and Brutus and Cassius must fall upon their own swords lest they be captured by Marc Antony and Octavius.
Cassius
- Realizing that Brutus is a noble man of honor, Cassius cleverly solicits Brutus to his cause of assassinating Caesar. In what is called the "seduction scene," Brutus speaks of the grandeur of Caesar and his tyranny; he also includes allusions to honor, equality, and republican ideals into his speech in order to move the idealistic Brutus.
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward favor.
Well, honor is the subject of my story. (1.2)
After Brutus leaves, in a soliloquy Cassius plans to further sway the noble Brutus to his cause by sending him forged letters, ostensibly from Roman citizens, that describe Caesar's alleged ambitions. He knows if he does this, Brutus's sense of honor will force him to act. And, he knows that Brutus, who is widely respected, will bring credibility to the assassins' cause.
- After the assassination of Julius Caesar, his friend Marc Antony asks permission of Brutus to speak to the Romans. Brutus agrees, but Cassius wisely suspects Antony when Brutus says they may "have him well to friend" (3.1):
I wish we may. But yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose (3.1).
Brutus's claim that his doubts always turn out to be justified are true as Antony stirs the crowd to break into civil strife. (Cassius wanted him slain.) Further on, Cassius again demonstrates his shrewdness and sound judgment of men. Nevertheless, he often defers to Brutus, acting out of his love for Brutus, rather than his good judgment of men as, for instance, when he agrees to have their troops march to Philippi.
_________________________
Is the relationship between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar genuine?
The relationship between Brutus and Cassius is primarily a political, rather than a personal one. Although they are friends and related by marriage their alliance is based upon their status as political actors within the Roman state. They come to share a common vision—a Rome without Caesar—but they differ in their motivations. Cassius resents Caesar for depriving him of the role in public life to which he believes himself entitled on account of his noble blood. Brutus, however, is more idealistic, seeing Caesar's dictatorship as a fundamental threat to the republican system he so much venerates and cherishes.
Whatever ties exist between the two men in terms of blood, class, and political ideology, there's no doubt that this is never really a relationship of equals. Initially, it's Cassius who's top dog. He cynically manipulates Brutus to get him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. He also plays on Brutus's famed nobility and his honorable intentions to persuade him to get involved.
After the assassination Brutus becomes the dominant partner in the relationship. Cassius stroked his vanity to get him on board for Caesar's murder, but Brutus's ego has given him an exalted sense of his own destiny. He disregards Cassius's sage advice at Philippi, with disastrous consequences. And though they are subsequently reconciled, their relationship only becomes one of equals when they both choose to die in the same way.
How does Shakespeare portray the relationship between Cassius and Brutus in Julius Caesar?
Interestingly, the relationship between Cassius and Brutus is one that changes throughout the play as the plot develops. Initially, in the famous seduction scene in Act I scene 2, it is Cassius who definitely seems in control and able to manipulate Brutus, exploiting his fears of the potential dangers of Caesar's ever-increasing power for his own purposes. Cassius wants Brutus on the side of the conspirators, as he is a respected and well-renowned person. Therefore, initially, Cassius exploits the naivety and innocence of Brutus for his own purposes, using such lines as the following quote to exaggerate Caesar's power and the danger that might come from that power:
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
This line deliberately over-emphasises the power of Caesar by comparing him to the Colossus, an ancient wonder of the world, a massive statue that towered over everybody. Against such power, everybody else is made to feel tiny and puny by comparison. With such lines, Cassius is able to win Brutus over to his cause. However, it would be a mistake to assume that Cassius holds the reins of power, as after this, he defers to the judgement of Brutus in a number of key decisions that prove to be fatal for both himself and the conspirators. The first of this is the decision to not kill Mark Antony, which Cassius tries to arrange. He is silent when Brutus insists that Mark Antony is left alive, and again he is silent when Brutus allows Mark Antony to address the public after Caesar's death, both of which prove to be costly mistakes. This is a key area in which the relationship therefore changes, suggesting that Cassius, in spite of his initial power and mastery over Brutus as expressed in the seduction scene in Act I scene 2, actually allows Brutus to take power as the play develops.
Is Cassius more astute than Brutus in Julius Caesar?
Since Cassius and Brutus spend so much time together throughout the play, Shakespeare wanted to differentiate them. Cassius is obviously much more cunning and worldly wise than Brutus. Brutus is portrayed as a reader, a philosopher, and an idealist. He is not necessarily less intelligent than Cassius, but he is less cunning. His main weakness is that he does not understand people. He judges others by himself. He totally misjudges Antony, even though Cassius warns him against Antony repeatedly. When the group of conspirators is discussing the assassination plan at Brutus' home, Cassius says:
I think it is not meet
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him
A shrewd contriver; and you know his means,
If he improve them, may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all, which to prevent,
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
But Brutus overrules him. He has agreed to kill Caesar but he doesn't want to look like a "butcher." Then after the assassination of Caesar, Cassius urgently advises Brutus not to allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral, but Brutus overrules him again. Brutus is a noble, generous man who judges others by himself. He assumes that all the conspirators were motivated by the same patriotic idealism that motivated him to become their leader. But as Antony says near the end of the play, as he and Octavius stand over Brutus' body:
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
Brutus is a better man than Cassius, but in this world it is not always the honest, decent men who win the prizes. George Orwell shows this truth in his story Animal Farm. The animals get rid of the brutal, greedy human owner of the farm, but then the pigs take over and prove to be as bad as humans, if not worse.
Cassius might never have succeeded in recruiting a group of men to murder Caesar if he had not been able to persuade Brutus to become their leader. And Brutus would never have thought of killing Caesar if Cassius had not talked him into it. This is an example of how two men may be relatively innocuous separately but can form a lethal combination when they join together. Another good example is the deadly partnership of Perry Smith and Dick Hickock in Truman Capote's novel In Cold Blood.
Describe the relationship between Cassius and Brutus in Julius Caesar.
Shakespeare understood introversion and extraversion even without having the two terms in his vocabulary. In his portrayal of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar he deliberately creates two contrasting but complementary characters. Brutus is an introvert who is often shown alone, either reading or meditating. Cassius is an extravert who operates through other men, measures himself against other men, and is never alone throughout the play.
Like many business partners and married couples, Brutus and Cassius complement each other. Cassius could not have brought about the assassination of Caesar without Brutus; Brutus would never have participated in the plot without Cassius’s passionate persuasion and covert machinations.
Partnerships between introverts and extraverts, like marriages, can function effectively, according to C. G. Jung, unless they are analyzed.
The introvert sees everything that is in any way valuable for him in the subject; the extravert sees it in the object. This dependence on the object seems to the introvert a mark of the greatest inferiority, while to the extravert the preoccupation with the subject seems nothing but infantile auto-eroticism. So it is not surprising that the two types often come into conflict. (Carl Jung, attributed to 1923 lecture.)
This is dramatized in the famous tent scene in Act 4 when the two generals have their acrimonious falling out.
CASSIUS
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment.
BRUTUS
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
[...]
I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;
For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection.
The difference between the two characters is nowhere more glaring than in this argument. At one point Brutus says, “Away, slight man.” Their differences are irreconcilable. They demonstrate the truth of Jung’s statement: “This dependence on the object [in this case gold] seems to the introvert a mark of the greatest inferiority, while to the extravert the preoccupation with the subject seems nothing but infantile auto-eroticism.”
Why does Cassius profess friendship to Brutus in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar? Describe Cassius' character.
Cassius knows that Brutus is an honorable man, and someone that the people of Rome would believe to be so as well. It is no secret that Cassius is not a fan of Caesar, and he even admits this to Brutus early on, citing such instances as Caesar not being able to swim across the river without crying for help, while he himself had no problems whatsoever.
This being said, Cassius knows that any attempt on his part to publically incite anger against Caesar would be seen as nothing more than a personal vendeta with little to no political value. The city isn't going to rise up against the most powerful man in the empire without a good deal of proof as to why it's necessary.
This is where Brutus comes into play. If Cassius can convince Brutus to join the cause, his conspiracy will gain instant credibility. Other political players will join with less reservation if they see a powerful figure such as Brutus on Cassius' side. While he is not an honorable person, and admittedly has flaws, Cassius is definitely not lacking in his cunning and intellect.
Finally, convincing Brutus that he is a friend solidifies the pact between the two. Brutus is initially against the idea of a secret pact, noting that such agreements are generally needed only for dark or illnoble deeds. The bond of friendship, however, goes much deeper than an agreement based upon mutual goals; even when things turn sour, friendship will remain.
How does the Roman mob react to Antony's speech in Julius Caesar?
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
The Roman mob initially remains loyal to Brutus, believing Caesar's assassination was for the greater good. However, Antony skillfully manipulates their emotions through his speech, emphasizing Caesar's generosity and refusal of the crown. By withholding and then revealing the contents of Caesar's will, Antony incites the crowd's anger against the conspirators. The mob's emotions reach a fever pitch, and they ultimately denounce the conspirators as traitors, demanding vengeance.
When Antony takes to the pulpit, a citizen mentions that Antony should not say anything negative about Brutus, which indicates that they believed him when he informed them that he and the other conspirators had assassinated Caesar for the good of all concerned. They warm to Antony, however, after he has made his introduction. A conversation between some of the citizens at this point indicates their response.
The four citizens who are mentioned express their sentiments. The first one states that Antony's speech sounds reasonable, while the second mentions that if one should properly consider the circumstances of Caesar's death, it seems that the general suffered a great wrong. The third citizen disagrees and expresses the fear that Caesar's death has opened the way for a leader far worse than the assassinated Caesar. The fourth citizen feels that the others have not fully focused on what Antony has said. He states that if they had listened carefully enough, they would have heard that Caesar had thrice refused the crown. This, he believes, indicates that he was not ambitious.
It is clear that the citizens are, at this point, still somewhat ambiguous in their sentiments towards Caesar, the conspirators, and Antony. Once they turn their attention to Antony, however, their feelings change and it is quite clear that they feel compassion for him. They refer to his expression of grief and decide to give him a proper hearing. Antony then refers to the will Caesar had left behind. He hints at its contents and suggests that Caesar's testament was so generous that the citizens would forever honor him for the bequests he had made.
This encourages the citizens to urge Antony to read the will. He cleverly keeps them in suspense by stating that he is afraid that reading it will inflame them and make them mad. He is obviously implying that they will want vengeance against those who have so maliciously murdered the generous Caesar. Antony keeps on playing with the crowd's emotions and gets them practically begging him to expose the contents of Caesar's will. The crowd denounces the conspirators and calls them traitors, murderers, and villains.
Antony plays the crowd like a puppeteer would a puppet. He wants them to reach a point of no return and drives their emotions to fever pitch. He knows that once he has them at the pinnacle of emotion and at their most expressive, nothing will stop them. When he realizes that the time is right, Antony informs them of the contents of Caesar's will and the impatient crowd explodes into a frenzy. They decide to destroy the conspirators and everything they own.
In Julius Caesar, what does "beware the ides of March" mean and how does Caesar react?
2 Educator Answers
In the Roman calendar, the 'Ides' referred to the middle of a month. The 'Ides of March' refers specifically to March 15th.
The soothsayer is a man who can apparently foretell the future, and he is warning Caesar to beware of the 15th of March. This is the day on which Caesar will be killed by a conspiracy of men who resent and fear his rise to supreme power. These conspirators include Marcus Brutus, who is Caesar's personal friend. Therefore, the soothsayer is right to warn Caesar, although he doesn't tell him exactly what is going to happen.
Caesar chooses to dismiss this warning, however. Although he does at first summon the soothsayer to him to hear what he has to say, he then remarks:
He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.
Caesar, then, dismisses the soothsayer merely as a 'dreamer', mistakenly believing that he has nothing important to say, and moves on with the procession. In fairness to Caesar, the soothsayer's warning is very vague, which makes it easier to ignore.
The soothsayer's warning ties in with other supernatural events that foretell Caesar's assassination: a fearful storm, ghosts and lions in the streets, and so on. Caesar's own wife, Calpurnia, has a terrible dream about him just before his assassination. All these signs point to the great political upheaval in Rome which will see the death of its most powerful figure, Caesar.
However, Caesar is arrogant and self-confident and chooses not to heed any signs or warnings, thereby making it easier for the conspirators to get at him. He is also anxious not to appear superstitious. However, if he had been more careful, he might have been able to save himself.
Explain "Beware the Ides of March" in Julius Caesar and its meaning today.
In the Roman Empire, the Ides of March would have been the common way to identify the fifteenth day of the month, with no particular significance attached to the date. The fifteenth day of the month continued to be known as the "ides" of that month after the fall of the Romans.
In Julius Ceasar, Ceasar is warned that there may be problems or threats to his safety in his future, with the prediction that they may come to pass sometime on or before "the ides of March."
The only real significance of the phrase today might be as a general comment that a deadline on or near March 15 is approaching.
What does Flavius mean by "disrobe the images if you do find them deck'd with ceremonies" in Julius Caesar?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
In Julius Caesar, Flavius means that Marcellus should remove any decorations honoring Caesar. Flavius and Marullus oppose Caesar and view the celebrations as a sign of the mob's fickleness and a dangerous boost to Caesar's ambition. They fear that such adulation will lead Caesar to declare himself king, threatening the Roman Republic.
He simply means that Marcellus should take down any bunting, streamers, or any other decorations that have been put up in honor of Caesar. Flavius and Marcellus are aristocratic opponents of Caesar, and they think it's a damned insolence for the plebs to take the day off work and welcome Caesar home in the exact same way that they did with his bitter rival Pompey. To them, this shows the fickleness of the mob, and further shows why fellow aristocrats such as Caesar should never pander to the common people.
As far as Flavius and Marcellus are concerned, Caesar has already gotten too big for his boots. And the sight of all those decorations welcoming him home, all that adulation from the masses, will make him feel invincible. He's already made himself dictator; surely, it's just a matter of time before he goes one step further and declares himself king, thus bringing about the end of the Roman Republic.
This quote is from the first scene of Act One. In it, Flavius and Marullus are expressing their disdain for the commoners who fill the streets of Rome to celebrate Caesar's victory over Pompey. These two men not only sympathize with Pompey, but fear the influence of the mob that so vocally supports Caesar. Even though it is also the feast of Lupercal, a festival in which the city's statues and monuments were regularly bedecked with decorations and flowers, Flavius says that Marullus should remove the "festivities" because Caesar's victory over Pompey is nothing to celebrate. When Marullus voices some reservations about removing the decorations from the statues on Lupercal, Flavius tells him not to let any statues "be hung with Caesar's trophies" and to drive the Roman commoners from the streets, breaking up the public celebrations of Caesar's success.
What is the effect of Marullus's questions to the crowd in Julius Caesar?
1 Educator Answer
In Julius Caesar’s first scene, Marullus and Flavius interrupt a group of celebrating commoners. Marullus first interrogates them, likely in an attempt to both intimidate and glean information. His questions about their trades are meant to shame them into returning to work. They are not supposed to “walk / Upon a labouring day without the sign/ Of [their] profession.”
The two men are especially displeased because of the reason for the celebrations. The workers admit that they “make holiday, / to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.” Marullus, clearly displeased with the political situation, berates them with a series of questions. He first asks why they are celebrating, since he has not brought home trophies: “What conquest brings he home?”
Marullus proceeds to question, “Knew you not Pompey?” asking if they remember straining and cheering to see Pompey, not Caesar, in his chariot. Now that Caesar has defeated Pompey, why are they suddenly so happy about his death? He asks, “And do you now strew flowers in his way / That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?”
The message is a powerful reminder to the people of Rome, and the crowd soon disbands. Marullus and Flavius take down decorations meant to honor Caesar, and for this, as Casca later reports, they “are put to silence.”
The relevance of Shakespeare's language in Julius Caesar to modern and 20th-century social and political issues
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
Shakespeare's language in Julius Caesar remains relevant to modern and 20th-century social and political issues because it explores themes of power, betrayal, and public manipulation. These timeless themes resonate in contemporary politics, where leaders still grapple with ambition and ethical dilemmas, and societies face the consequences of political machinations and public persuasion.
How does Shakespeare's language in Julius Caesar reflect 20th century social and political culture?
The 20th century is notable for a number of tragic events that unfortunatley paint humanity in a very negative light. The Second World War is a classic example, when so many lives were lost, and this of course followed in the wake of the Great War, which changed attitudes to war forever. One aspect that is clearly tied in with this play is the rise of dictators whose power is so absolute that they can lead their country into a hugely damaging war and carry out policies that are not questioned, no matter how questionable those policies actually are. Classic examples of such characters are Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini, and the language used by Cassius to describe Ceasar and his power certainly evokes memories of these historical figures and the power that they wielded. Note how Cassius portrays Ceasar in the following quote from Act I scene 2:
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Clearly, there is an element of irony in the words of Cassius here, and the audience realises that he has his own purpose for describing Ceasar in this way, but it does capture the dangers of bestowing too much power on one individual, as they become like a giant, shadowing all others and unstoppable. The image of a Colossus "bestriding the narrow world" perfectly captures the impact of such political dictators as Stalin and Hitler, whose power made the world feel at times too small for them. They leave a legacy of the dangers of power that perfectly captures the themes of this play that is so much to do with power and its insidious corruption and the way that the common people suffer as a result.
How does the language in Julius Caesar relate to today's political or social issues?
The tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare conveys many important ideas about human nature. In addition, the play gives advice to men in the handling of their affairs.
Words are powerful tools that can be used to influence others or gain the things that a man may need or want. The political world in the United States has growing problems between the two factions that are most prominent: the President and the House of Representatives.
In comparing the two Roman governments of 44 B.C. and the United States political scene of 2013, there are some areas in which Shakespeare’s commentary might help both worlds.
1.
Cassius: Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault is not in our stars,
But in ourselves.
In this situation, Cassius explains to Brutus that men must take charge of their own destiny. He indicates that luck and chance will not get a man what he needs. He must take assert himself and not wait for something to happen.
This advice certainly applies to today’s problems. Think about the gun control issue. The President declared that he will not stand by any more and allow the NRA to dominate the decisions about gun laws. If necessary, he will use his powers to put in place the laws that are needed to make the United States safer.
2.
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
Our best friends made, our means stretch’d;
And let us presently go sit in council…
During the preparation for the battle between the two Roman factions, both Antony and Octavius and Cassius and Brutus sit in council to discuss their future and what to do to enhance their situations.
Antony advises Octavius that they need to combine their forces and find out who their friends are. Then, their meeting should be held privately so they can discuss any covert actions and what dangers they may face.
The combining of forces was seen in World War II when the allied forces united to defeat the Germans. One of their covert or secret plans was D Day in June of 1944. The allies attacked and defeated the Germans.
Of course, this idea continues today as countries and governments form alliances for the greater good of the world.
3.
Brutus tells his opponents:
Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen?
Good words are better than bad strokes.
Brutus indicates that it is better to discuss the problems between enemies than it is to have a war. Although the situation was entirely different for this battle, the advice rings true.
The US Secretary of State serves in this capacity. She or he goes to the countries that are having issues which are directed at the US and works on compromises that prevent any type of aggression. Intercession on behalf of other countries falls under his or her guidance as well. "Words before war" would be the best motto for any country.
4.
Caesar: Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Caesar’s advice spoke to his going to the Capitol in spite of his wife begging him not to go. He believed that if a man is brave and does not fear death, he will not be concerned with dying. A man who worries and frets about his death will at every turn be afraid.
This advice is good for any person. Everyone knows that death is inevitable. It is best for a person to live his life and not worry about when he will die. If that is a person’s main concern, then he will constantly agonize about his life and death.
The language and quotations from this drama supply many examples that apply to the world today. Shakespeare’s words are filled with exemplary advice, both for politicians and laypeople.
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