Category: Julius Caesar

The question of Brutus joining the conspiracy against Caesar was right is rather contradicting, but at the end of the day, I believe his decision wasn’t immoral and, in fact, was right. Brutus loved Caesar, but his love for Rome was bigger. The fear of someone taking over Rome entirely to themselves gave Brutus the strength to stab a knife through this dear friend. At the end of the day, if Caesar still lived, he would be offered so many crowns and the right to rule the empire because of the Roman people kissing his feet. “More shouting! I think this applause is for some new honors awarded to Caesar,” states page 19. Four pages before, Brutus exclaims to Cassius that he’s “afraid the people have made Caesar their king.” It seems that he respects Caesar but at the same time fears his power. Let’s go further into Brutus’s mind.

Brutus was right to join the conspiracy against Caesar for many reasons. The Romans decided to join the conspiracy against Caesar after his realization of the fact that the Roman Republican government was in great danger. He had to make a decision between his friendship and admiration for Caesar and his public responsibility to make sure nobody becomes too powerful or god-like. “It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general good. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature…” In this quotation, you can see his love for Caesar and his responsibility battling, but eventually, his love for Rome won. Brutus changed his own heart by going against it. He later started to think of Caesar as an evil serpent, waiting to be hatched. “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg. Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell.” Later in the story, after Caesar’s assassination, Brutus finally decides to prove to the Romans his actions. It might look like he was simply lying for the sake of being liked and staying alive, but his words prove otherwise: “. . . If then that friend demands why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” The Senate to which Brutus was a member became nothing more than a puppet in the hand of Caesar. If this continued, eventually, he would overthrow the government without them being aware. This is why I believe Brutus had the right and was correct to join the conspiracy against the man he respected.

Caesar and Brutus are friends. They are also enemies. How does Brutus justify his betrayal of Caesar and why does he believe his involvement in the conspiracy is necessary?

Brutus pretends he is friends with Ceaser but he is really his enemy. Brutus thinks that it would be good to have him as a friend somehow, while Cassius disagreed. Cassius betrays Brutus’ trust in him by misreporting letters to prompt Brutus to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar. Brutus felt like he should lead Rome for Cassius’ few mistakes.

How does Brutus’s past (family history) influence his decision to be involved in the conspiracy?

All/Most of his family was full of important people. They helped others in different roles so maybe Brutus felt as if he had the same talent to guide and help other people.

Is Brutus a “true friend” of Caesar’s? Why or why not?

I believe that regardless of Brutus becoming very powerful he was a true friend to Cassius. He never hurt Cassius or acted as if he couldn’t relate to Cassius anymore. He also did not act like he was too good for his friend. After the death of Caesar, his character did change. Brutus found himself momentarily the most powerful man in Rome but he lost the intellection of his friends.

Compare the two pairs of leaders: Antony & Octavius, and Brutus & Cassius. Explain who is the strongest in each relationship. Support your answer with details from the play.

Brutus/ Cassius

In Julius Caesar, Cassius would have been a better leader and better person than Brutus because of his good qualities and his ability to defeat the evil in others. Brutus’s inability to see how low other people are willing to sink to gain power undermines his ability to lead. Their generosity of Brutus causes him to make political mistakes. He would easily listen to others and just take action without thinking of consequences. So, Brutus is the better person but isn’t too good at leading and helping a variety of people.

Who is the central character in the play? Explain/ defend your answer with details from the play.

I believe that Brutus was the main and central character of the play/story. Brutus stands at the center of the action and helps cause the main events of the play. In the play, Cassius was also highly important. Caesar died in the middle of the story which left Brutus being the main subject. He was mainly the cause of mistakes in Rome, some things mislead him into mistakes because of his inability to see that others are not honored. Also, Brutus is tempted to make a horrible choice and is trying to take a chance he shouldn’t. Brutus’s decision to eliminate Caesar led to chaos and destruction around him and possibly to his own destruction.

The theme I chose to write about is the power of speech. In Julius Caesar, speech plays an important role in the plot. The people in the play are easily persuaded into opposing viewpoints through both Anthony’s and Brutus’ speeches. In Brutus’s speech, he says “: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar was dead to live all freemen? As Caesar (25) loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There are tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition.” Brutus painted Caesar as a leader who is hungry for power, and who had the intention of enslaving Rome. He was able to manipulate the crowd’s perspective. At the end of the speech, the crowd praises Brutus for killing Caesar.

Although the crowd was persuaded by Brutus, they are once again persuaded by Antony’s speech. In Antony’s speech, he says “Come me to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me; But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. (95) He hath brought many captives home to Rome, whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.” He goes on to talk about Caesar as a friend and as someone who is misunderstood. He then says, “But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, ’tis his will…And, dying, mention it within their wills, (145) Bequeathing it as a rich legacy.” In this quote he tells the people about Caesar’s will, and that he had left the money to Rome. The theme of the story is that the power of speech can easily persuade a person to believe any viewpoint of opposing characters.

Ambition is the driving force behind mankind’s history of success. With ambition, the great leaders of the world have achieved greatness. Yet, there is a delicate balance between just power and corruption. The abuse of ambition can lead to the downfall of anyone, no matter the amount of power they wield. In the play, Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, the character Brutus is a clear example of the toll and triumph ambition can take on a person.

Brutus begins the play as a valued and successful member of society, yet as the play unfolds, his personal ambitions control the course of his fate. Chief among these ambitions includes the betrayal and ultimately, the murder of Caesar. In his conversation with Cassius, Brutus says “What you would work me to, I have some aim. How I have thought of this and of these times I shall recount hereafter; for this present, I would not…be any further moved.” (JC.1.2.163-167). Brutus begins as though the betrayal of Caesar is not his goal, yet it does not take long for his ambition to take over and for him to agree to take up Cassius’ plan. His reply illustrates that he has already thought about it. His ambition and desire to lead peeks through even while he is saying that he would not go any further with it. Later in the play, the reluctance of Brutus’ quest for power is gone. He actively chases the same power that he says has corrupted Caesar and develops the theme of ambition. While speaking to his fellow conspirators in reference to the future of Rome, he says “Am I entreated to speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise if the redress will follow, thou receive thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!” (JC. 2.1.55-58). Brutus explains that Rome needs saving from the corruption of Caesar, and he is the man to achieve it. As soon as Rome requires a leader to take Caesar’s power, Brutus’ ambitions shine through as he proclaims himself righteous enough to be Rome’s savior.

Brutus’ righteous ambition triumphs when he murders Caesar in the capital. He proclaims this victory by saying “People, and senators, be not affrighted. Fly not, stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.” ( JC. 3.1.90-91). Brutus tells the people that there is nothing to be afraid of because their savior is here. This is a far cry from the man who was so hesitant in speaking of killing Caesar earlier in the play. His ambition has completely changed his character and shows how much power can corrupt a person. After the murder, Brutus now stands like a conquering hero. Like a general in front of an army, Brutus shouts “ And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood, up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; walk we forth…waving our red weapons o’er our heads, let’s all cry, ‘Peace, freedom, and liberty!’” (JC.3.1.117-121). Brutus’ transformation is complete. His character is no longer a hesitant follower with dreams of power. Through his actions, his ambitions to rule have been fulfilled. Brutus has lost the balance between the good of the people of Rome and his own corruption at the hands of ambition. When he tells the crowd that Caesar had to die because of his ambition, this foreshadows that Caesar is not the only one who will be paying a price for power.

Brutus’ ambitions prove to cost him the same price they did Caesar. With the people of Rome now against him after Antony’s eulogy, he realizes his fate. On the battlefield, he confides to the others, saying “The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me…And, this last night, here in Philippi fields: I know my hour comes.” (JC.5.5.20-23). Caesar’s ghost serves as a sign to Brutus that his ambitions have cost him greatly. His wife, his honor, and the love of the people. This shows how fast ambition can corrupt even the noblest of men. Ambition, and the corruption it inspired, prove to kill Brutus as swiftly as his own sword. After running himself on his own sword, Brutus moans, “Caesar, now be still; I killed not thee with half so good a will.” (JC.5.5.57-58). Brutus is left dying with an overwhelming sense of remorse. He regrets killing Caesar more than he does himself.

Ambition proves to be the downfall of Marcus Brutus. Through the immense amount of power that his ambition brought him, his misuse of it cost him his fate. This cycle of triumph and the toll that ambition inflicts on a person is shown throughout the play Julius Caesar. Brutus’ actions are a key example of this theme. Without the transformation of his character from ambition, the plot of the play would be nonexistent, as his desire for power is the driving force in foretelling Caesar and the conspirators’ fate. This theme shows the viewer that maintaining the balance between power and corruption is crucial in the lives of those ruled and their ruler.

Brutus is an unpredictable character just as the play’s a catastrophic hero. Throughout the story, you can learn and comprehend how he works. Brutus is a well known figure to the people of Rome and a companion to Julius Caesar. Through the entire story Brutus was having a self vs self conflict.

In the play, Brutus’ unrealistic vision happens to be his best trait, but, it is also the thing that hurt him the most. Brutus is portrayed as respectable Roman citizen. Even though Caesar and Brutus are close friends throughout the story he chooses the people of Rome over friendship withstanding the way that Caesar happens to be a near him, Brutus picks Rome over kinship.

Brutus appears to have impressionable ideas are shown in a few segments throughout the story. With an end goal to diminish violence and terror, Brutus overlooks the guidance received by Cassius to enable the conspirators to execute Antony. He ignores Cassius again by enabling him to talk at Caesar’s burial service.

Throughout the play, Brutus seems confused or indecisive. For he cannot choose between his love for his country and love for his friend. He states in the play to Cassius about his self versus self conflict. In the midst of his indecisiveness Cassius takes this as the opportunity to persuades him to join the conspiracy to kill his friend Caesar. Unfortunately, He is caught into Cassius’ snare without understanding that Cassius was acting out of envy. Brutus seems to think that Cassius and the conspirators are just trying to do a honest deed.

Brutus would also appeared to be a stoic character. In spite of Cassius’ endeavors at convincing Brutus to join his scheme, Brutus is as of now considering executing Caesar. This could be obviously brought out when Brutus happens to be the first to express that Caesar ought to be executed. He accepts that once Caesar acknowledges the crown offered by Antony, he would get brutal and closefisted.

The character ought to likewise be a hopeful person. This could be passed on the character portrayed by Brutus who happens to be an idealistic individual. He just observes the positive qualities in others in this way thinking little of the danger that others present. He underestimates the threats that Antony postures to their arrangements in killing Caesar. His hopeful character leaves him open to double dealing and control by everyone around him. He conflicts against Cassius notice that Antony would influence the individuals against the conspirators on the off chance that he is associated with their plan. Brutus differs on the arrangement to murder Anthony by expressing that he didn’t wish to be seen as a butcher.

Brutus could likewise be considered as brave. In the play, his honorable activities and contemplation in the long run brought about his end. He decides he would rather die then to spend his life as prisoner to Antony. His passing could be examined as a type of selflessness. This respectable demonstration gives the watchers reason to love him as they became mindful of his honorable expectations.

After Brutus, Cassius, and their conspirators murder Caesar and bathe their hands in his blood, they win the mob to their sides. Of course, Brutus tells people, he killed his friend but the friend was a tyrant. Then come and famous funeral oration “Friend, Romans and Countrymen” by Antonius that wins the mob back to Caesar and his supporters. That is a pivotal speech, a hinge upon which the believability of the rest of the plays. Shakespeare uses Julius Caesar to show the audience the inevitable of the person’s character influencing political beliefs and actions.

Shakespeare uses the characters to show that character can be determined by the decision people make. Brutus and the conspirators have to make a choice when their plan to kill Caesar. Brutus says that: “ no personal cause to spurn at Caesar / but for the general” choosing to participate in Caesar’s murder because it will protect the Rome Republic. Brutus makes a choice that benefits the Roman government and the people, he accepts risk for his safety and reputation. He chooses the well-being of the people above him and he completely understands the danger he faces by agreeing to assist in Caesar’s murder. Brutus has a strong relationship with Caesar and he knows that choosing to kill him. Regarding, he is knowing about the success of Rome over his own success and security. Brutus does not worry about Portia on his behalf. Brutus accepts the possibility of his own suffering as the result of Caesar’s murder. And he also knows his action will put Portia in a dangerous situation and that does not deter him. His relationship with Portia is the same as Caesar’s because he is willing to risks for the benefit of Rome. However, he tries to protect Portia and he accepts to betray Caesar to defend the Republic.

And Antony also chooses between selfishness and selflessness when Octavius arrives in Rome. Antony works with Octavius when forming the leader in Rome but his movement joins Octavius in their conflict with Cassius and Brutus revealing other motivations for their partnership. He ensures himself a positive of power after their battle. He makes this decision so he can either remain a part of the threesome after the war or maintain a powerful position under Octavius if he chooses to become the sole leader of the Roman Empire. It is possible about Antony’s true intentions were to strengthen his army and ensure victory, which is a less selfish action. His choice may be selfish but it shifts the audience’s understanding of Antony and his character in the play.

Of two different choice, Brutus and Antony make an interesting choice in the play which show the audience their character and morals. Through that Shakespeare wants to show the audience dramatically the impact of the decisions he or she makes, thus one’s character can be defined by his or her previous choice in the play.

The political conflict of Julius Caesar portrays the decision as being more complicated than a choice between the correct or incorrect option. Also, Shakespeare wants everyone to know that the leader makes a choice that they believed very best because it is clearly between right and wrong choices.

All the decisions the characters make regarding Caesar’s rule are based on their options and values because they have no way to be sure that one option would be beneficial in the end. Shakespeare uses the controversy over Caesar’s rule and makes a different choice between the two characters.

The interested audience is he uses the story of Julius Caesar’s assassination to illustrate the convulsed relationship between the character of the political leader and the political decisions they make. He shows the people the that the choices the leader makes are strongly impacted by the character. If it is not always obvious, political judgments are rarely made independently of the morals and personal beliefs of the person who made the decisions. Shakespeare wants us to know that leaders make a decision based on what they know, expect, want, and are determined.

The book improves your concentration and imagination. Even you close the book, you are absorbed in the fantastic feeling. A book is a kind of art that gives you a chance to imagine your own world, your own story, what the book is like, and how the plot will go further. The book maybe takes you into a deep silence. It takes you deep into your own imagination. Besides, the movie is a kind of art that has already been created by the director, you also have no chance to imagine something in your own world, because everything is in front of you. The director worries about the audience getting bored in his movie so he makes one scene longer than a particular duration. The movie is just entertainment after the movie you are mostly back to shallowness in a few seconds.

One central theme that is identified in William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” is how love can lead to tragedy. This is shown by Brutus’ love for Rome, Julius Caesar’s love for Brutus, and Portia’s love for Brutus. People presume that they can find happiness in love which is why they often pursue it. But contrary to popular belief, love can ultimately lead to tragedy, self-conflict, or destruction. This is amply implied in this play.

In the play, Brutus is constantly in conflict with himself. He has a perpetual dilemma whether to save Caesar because of his love for him or to assassinate him because of his ambition. In the end, he chose the latter because he did love Caesar but he ultimately loved Rome more: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (3.2.21-22). He essentially murdered his best friend and comrade not out of malice but for the sake of Rome as he thought the power would get to Caesar’s head-turning him into a tyrant: “That at his will he may do danger with / Th’abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” (2.1.17-19). After the assassination of Julius Caesar, he told the people of Rome that if there was ever a day that the citizens would find him unworthy, then he would accept his death. This can symbolize how much he cares for Rome and how much he would do for his empire: “With this, I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.” (3.2.43-46). Even until Brutus’ last breath, all his actions were for the sake of Rome as he killed himself with his own sword so he wouldn’t get captured. Everything Brutus did was because of his love for Rome and in the end, he also died because of his love for Rome. Even Mark Anthony, his enemy, appreciated him as a true nobleman to die for the sake of Rome. He acknowledged that Brutus joined the conspirators out of selflessness because he truly thought that it was for the better for the people contrary to the rest who were envious of Caesar.

Along with his love for Rome, Brutus still loved Caesar until the time of his death as he avenges Caesar’s spirit by killing himself: “ Caesar, now be still.” (5.5.50). Overall, Brutus represents how love can indeed lead to a tragic ending for oneself.

Physically, Julius Caesar died by getting stabbed but stated by Mark Anthony, it was because Brutus was a part of the conspirators that he died: “For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart.” (3.2.182-184). It was because he loved Brutus so much that the sight of him along with the conspirators killed him rather than the knives. He accepted death because if someone as honorable as Brutus thought that he was a bad ruler for Rome, then so be it: “Et Tu, Brute?- Then Fall, Caesar!” (3.1.77). It is often thought that those who love you would protect you but if one who you love harms you, the pain is tenfold worse than the pain of knives for Caesar. What Caesar felt was extreme heartbreak. If the conspirators were people he didn’t love, then he would have died due to external pain but because of Brutus, he died from internal pain. From the pain of his broken heart. Caesar is a victim of tragic love as the reason why he ultimately died was that he loved Rome too much. When Artemidorus said that his letter was pertaining to Caesar, he wanted to read it last because he loved Rome more than he loved himself: “What touches us ourself shall be last served.” (3.1.8). If he read the letter, he would’ve lived: “If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live; If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.” (2.3.15-16). This ultimately led to the fall of Caesar. His tragic death can represent how death is most tragic when it involves love.

Portia’s love for her husband is a form of self-destruction. Her love shows that it can influence some to go to great extents as she showed her devotion by stabbing herself in the thigh: “I have made strong proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound Here, in the thigh / Can I bear that with patience and not my husband’s secrets?”(2.1.299-302). She loved Brutus so much that she was inclined to do that to show her loyalty and to convince him to tell her his secrets. Her belief is that since they are married, she should know everything that Brutus is worried about. Because of this psychological belief that love is trust, Portia feels extremely hurt when Brutus is hesitant to tell her. In the end, she ultimately killed herself because of the grief that comes from her love for her husband.

Portia truly is an example of self-harm due to extreme love for someone. If she didn’t love Brutus so much, then perhaps she would see better days.

In his play, Shakespeare can convey the message that love does not always lead to happy endings. Contrary to that, unconditional love for a country, for a person, for anything in that matter can often be a form of tragedy, self-destruction, or conflict. People often dream about finding their soulmate or finding love. To some extent, some believe that life can be just a journey of finding love. Finding love for someone, for an activity, or a hobby. But upon reaching it, they may find that it doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness. It could lead to tragedy. The play “Julius Caesar” by Shakespeare implies that love is in fact tragedy and that is shown by the actions of Brutus, Caesar, and Portia. But, if life is indeed a journey of love, then perhaps it is truly a journey of tragedy.

William Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ is clearly a play concerning the tragedy of lost morality in the political sphere but contrary to the plays title the focus is not on Caesar himself but instead on the individuals left behind after his murder. The political tragedy primarily centres around the character Brutus and his inner turmoil as he tries to cope with the circumstances after overthrowing his leader to whom he was exceedingly loyal. Shakespeare explores the blurred line between the political spheres morals and the character’s innate sense of right and wrong through the actions of Brutus especially and how the desire for political power can corrupt one’s virtue.

The constant battle between ethics and politics is primarily embodied in Brutus, for him, morality is closely linked with laws and tradition and this association is the basis for his actions throughout the play and therefore abiding by traditional laws in his eyes is what informs morality. Brutus is easily manipulated and swayed by the other characters because of this. Cassius plays on Brutus’ ideals and his offer of power upon killing Caesar awakens a dark side in Brutus an otherwise nobleman. Cassius learns that Caesar is thrice offered the crown yet he declines, this fills Cassius with jealousy against Caesar and he begins to wish for his downfall, this leads him to manipulate the Senate members into believing that monarchy will be the ultimate outcome if Caesar were to take the throne. (Mehta) “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.” Brutus justifies Cassius’ plan to kill his friend in act 3 as the act would prevent Caesar’s probable corruption from the crown and making Rome pay for it if he were to accept offers to become emperor. Although Julius Caesar was not unduly power-hungry, his inability to separate his public and private life and the fact that he was often seduced by the public’s idolization of him gave reason for Brutus’ and Cassius’ suspicions.

The tragedy begins in act 2 when Brutus starts to consider the fact that Caesar must be killed in order to prevent him from being corrupted by his power, even though Brutus admits he has never seen his friend swayed by power in the past. He becomes a traitor to his friend claiming that it is for the good of Rome, when in fact it was actually self-serving. (Mehta) Brutus compares Caesar to the egg of a serpent “which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous”; thus, he determines to “kill him in the shell”. His sense of virtue begins to become blurred by the idea of power and his obsession with political righteousness. His final decision ultimately determines the fate of everyone in his world as well as affects the natural line to the throne. (Mehta) In making his decision he begins to explore his own desire for power which up to this point remained unseen, even to himself. Another important point to consider when Brutus is being persuaded at his meeting with the senators is that Brutus opposes the idea to assassinate Caesar’s close confidant Mark Anthony due to the fact that it would distort their own ethics and that doing more heinous acts than necessary would make the conspirators tyrannical themselves. (Mehta) This is ironic because the proposal to kill his friend Caesar who thus far into the play is an innocent man, based upon a conspiracy is already an act that goes against basic virtue. Once again this informs the tragedy of the play of lost morality in the political sphere.

At Caesar’s funeral, Brutus delivers a remarkable speech that allows the distressed crowd to forget their fury and listen with absolute attention to his reason for killing their respected ruler. He appeals to the crowd by comparing their love for Caesar to his own love for him and his appreciation for their friendship. He then gives his explanation for killing the beloved emperor to be, he stated to the crowd that Caesar although he was a valiant person, he was too much of a threat to Roman society in the sense that he was too ambitious. He needed to kill Caesar in order to protect the people’s freedom and to protect Rome from tyranny; “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less but I loved Rome more”. Thus justifying the assassination of Caesar and depicting himself as the humble servant of Rome using his excellent oratory skills to win over the people.

The speech that follows given by Mark Anthony to the crowd highlights the immoral deed committed by the republicans as he counters questions the allegations posed by Brutus in his speech about Caesar’s ambition. “The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, you all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?”. This speech proved to the crowd just how unjust the republican’s actions were when killing Caesar. It calls attention to Brutus’ and Cassius’ clouded judgement and their blurred moral values as they failed to see any benefits to Caesar’s potential kingship. Anthony calls Brutus an “honourable man” yet we know this is untrue as he willingly killed his close friend.

Brutus spends the rest of the play immersed in his own inner battle even to the point of his own suicide after going to battle with Mark Anthony and his men, for which Brutus takes the blame. Yet even in his death, he has been deemed an honourable man. When Mark Anthony finds Brutus’ body on the battlefield he tells Octavius that he was the only man who participated for the right reasons remarking that he was an honest man and that he meant well in what he did for Rome and to his close friend, he reflects on his legacy and titles him “the noblest Roman of them all”. Therefore we as the audience can view Brutus as the play tragic hero, Brutus embodied the core Roman values through his honour, nobility and bravery in the final scenes. Brutus suicide proves that he may not have been lying about his true motive for killing Caesar as his self-inflicted wounds serve as a symbol for his statements made at Caesar’s funeral, it proves that Brutus did in fact care for the future of Rome, as he sacrificed himself for the good of the empire.

To conclude, I agree with the statement that the play ‘Julius Caesar’ is ultimately about the tragedy of lost morality in the political sphere. The play is considered a tragedy due to the many unfortunate deaths, many of which being carried out by individuals whose motives have been clouded by the idea of political power and their own intrinsic moral codes. The character Brutus proves the point throughout the play that no matter how an individual starts out, all of us are susceptible to our innermost desires and dark wishes. The two sides are demonstrated through the existence of the public sphere of morality in the play. This idea can also be seen in Cassius whose power-hungry incentives drive him to persuade Brutus to do the foul deed of killing Caesar. In the playlets, we believe that Brutus is a true patriot, yet his traitorous behaviour says otherwise. Brutus always has the power to agree or disagree with the people around him but he lets his own morals and strict political code steer his actions and consequently lead him to his devastating fate. All in all, Brutus is not entirely an evil person, he is a good man who did a bad thing and in turn, is severely troubled by his actions. The tragedy that is ‘Julius Caesar’ conveys the results of how greed and extreme politically driven actions can affect society but also the toll it takes on an individual as well.

In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, two speeches both different in context are given to the citizens of Rome discussing/stating Caesar’s death. In this play, Brutus and Antony try to persuade the citizens of Rome to believe what they believe. Antony tries to state the fact that the conspirators were traitors and that they were basically the cause of Caesar’s death. They committed an act of brutality on Caesar in other words. Brutus on the other hand tries to state that he killed Caesar for a reason for he was a ‘tyrant’ and if he let him live Caesar would’ve caused tyranny. Both speeches prove to be both effective but also ineffective which can be seen, heard in the tone, other literary tricks heard in the speeches.

Brutus’s speech proves to be effective but also ineffective in his ways of persuading the citizens by his use of tone and other literary tricks seen in his speech. In his speech, you can see that Brutus is very compassionate when he states that he loved Caesar as much as he loved Caesar’s friend. In his speech, he says, ‘If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’s love to Caesar was no less than his.'(lines 18-20) Brutus only wanted to try to have the citizens of Rome to understand the sorrow guilt he was going through, even though he had felt he had killed Caesar for a good reason or for the better of Rome. ‘If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I love Caesar less, but Rome more.’ (lines 20-23) With questions like these, Brutus was able to manipulate the minds of the Roman people. In his speech, he says that Caesar was very determined but was never able to actually give a reason as to how or why. He told the citizens to believe him and respect him for his honor. Brutus was ineffective during his speech in giving reasons as to why Caesar was so determined. This gave Antony the chance to turn the citizens against Brutus.

Antony’s speech began with him speaking in a very detached tone stating, ‘The evil men do lives after them, the good is oft entered with their bones; so let it be with Caesar.’ (lines 77-79) Antony had only wanted the citizens to know that he was fair towards the given issue, therefore he would speak the truth and only the truth. During his speech, he questions Brutus’s honor by telling the people of Rome about what Caesar did for the people. In Antony’s speech, he mocks the conspirators by saying. My credit now stands on such slippery ground one of two bad ways you must conceit me. Either a coward or a flatterer’ Antony states that his reputation is at stake and that it will be very difficult to explain the reasons for him joining hands with the people who murdered Julius Caesar. Therefore he will either be called a coward or even a flatterer. Even though he believes that he may be ruined, that’s not true at all for it gives him the ultimate chance to turn around and give the conspirators along with the murderers a taste of their own medicine.

In the end, everyone was in favor of Antony. This would be because he was able to give reasons as to why Caesar wasn’t determined which Brutus couldn’t do. The use of tone and other literary tricks used in the speeches really gave the characters an advantage. This helped the characters to express their emotions clearly.

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, there are two speeches relating to the same topic of which are both presented to the people of Rome following Caesar’s assassination. The play is deeply concerned with the idea of rhetoric, or persuasion. Cassius convinces Marcus Brutus that Caesar has to die, setting the story in motion. The resolution of the plot is set by Anthony’s speech to the plebeians. Shakespeare sees rhetoric as collectively, the foremost powerful force within the world; able to topple kings and crown them. The play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, examines what gives rhetoric its power by setting Brutus’s speech against Mark Antony’s. Shakespeare shows Anthony’s rhetoric to be superior by the impact he left on the plebeians.

Brutus’s speech does not win the support of the crowd because he does not understand them, which is something he should’ve been careful of. During the beginning of his speech when he asks the plebeians,’ Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses.’ it seems as though he does not realize that he is speaking to an angry crowd. He bases his argument on the cold and calculating reason. Brutus states that his love for freedom is greater than that of ties of friendship when he goes on to say, ‘Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.’ but due to the emotions of the crowd and what they’re feeling, they are unable to comprehend this logic. Brutus proceeds to say to the plebeians, ‘Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe.’ this honor which he had used could not be used as a reason for belief in the story he had given when something such as his honor is being questioned. What really caused Brutus’s speech to fail was when he failed to offer any proof of Caesar’s ambition, the central point of his argument. He ends his speech with a verbal attack on any who disagree with him, essentially calling them cowards. This silences dissension temporarily but when the other side is presented it does not help his cause. Brutus failed because he was much less of a man of the people than he would’ve like to think.

Mark Antony’s argument, however, is a great piece of rhetoric and an important part of the story. Not only does he successfully convince the plebeians that Brutus is a traitor, but he also has mastered the use of emotion, logic, and subtlety. He uses phrases that touch the crowd’s hearts, such as, ‘My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar’ as well as, ‘Oh judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts.’ which not only helps to establish a connection with the emotional crowd but the emotion being felt after the death of Julius Caesar. This serves to give Antony a great common ground with the crowd, who must have also remembered the things that Antony had spoken of. He provides many counter-examples to Brutus’s claims that Caesar was ambitious by saying, ‘I thrice presented him a kingly crown when he did thrice refuse.’ these counter-examples give a warrant to the crowd’s rejection of Brutus. In the beginning, he refers to Brutus as an ‘honorable man’ but he slowly backs away from that statement and turns it from a simple statement into a keen denunciation throughout the remainder of his speech. His indirect way of showing the crowd his feelings makes his speech even more effective. The crowd is directed but not forced to believe in his reasoning so that when they accept his argument, they will accept it as their own opinion. Antony is in the end, the better speaker, due to his understanding of the crowd.

Throughout the story, the reader can start to come to the conclusion that loyalty is an anomaly. Some examples of this loyalty are true loyalty, some lasting a lifetime, and even acting as a person’s strongest driving force, or even being loyal to the point where it damages themselves and people around them. Loyalty can be false however, it can be used for theatrics, or maybe one bends the knee because of their inferior political position. After Caesar’s assassination, it became clear that some people weren’t as loyal as people thought they were. Brutus was loyal to both Caesar and Rome, but as he said, he loved Rome more. Cassius’ baleful loyalty to Caesar was due to his position, and word and action from his tongue were to meet his own needs, often to collect more silver. Antony’s loyalty to Caesar was true and undying. Going through any means necessary to avenge Caesar and bring his son to the throne.

Brutus and Mark Antony both as a whole struggle for the support of the plebeians, who are portrayed as dumb and changing frequently. This is at the heart of Shakespeare’s idea of rhetoric. Rhetoric is pure persuasion; it’s not confined by the same rules as discussion. Shakespeare doesn’t pass judgment on the plausibility of either argument in this scene. The people favored one speech: Mark’s, which led Rome’s people to side with Mark Antony. Both speeches were delivered very well and appealed to many different groups of people. This story not only continues to live on, but is also very popular to this day, while truly engaging the reader into questioning the correct decision at the conclusion of the play, but there is no doubt that Antony is the better speaker.