In the play, Julius Caesar, many characters are objected to possible failure. Two of the most prominent of these characters are Cassius and Caesar. They both react to this possibility of failure similarly, and in such a way that is in acquiescence with other theories of relating with failure and its tendency in humans.
Cassius’s non-belief in fate changes when nearing his death. During the beginning of the play, he felt that he was in charge of his own destiny, “Men at some times are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves...”(I.ii.146-147). This belief, came from Epicureanism which Cassisus was a follower of, “You know that I held Epicurus strong and his opinion” (V.i.85-86).
Epicureanism does not require the belief of a god nor does it believe in an after life, an aversion from common Roman philosophies who believed in fate, and gods. Cassius also did not believe in omens and fate until Act V, while nearing the battle at Phillipi. Cassius believes that the actions of birds he sees on the way to Phillipi are omens and tells a friend that he is starting to believe in fate. His invalidation of previous principles that he once held so strong have been starting to deteriorate. This complete change in belief is human tendency when dealing with failure or death. It is easier and more satisfying to believe that fate has lead you to failure rather than yourself; blaming your mistakes on others is easier than holding yourself responsible.
Caesar, the pompous ruler of Rome, changes his beliefs when nearing death also.
Caesar thinks he is almost god-like and just as powerful. However, it is said by Cassius that Caesar, ‘is superstitious grown of late’(II.i.195). He also succumbs to his wife’s entreaty to stay home because she suspects he will die. However, Caesar, like Cassius eventually dies, despite recent feelings of superstition. Nevertheless, Caesar does show that he has veered from his usual presumptuous self, to a slightly paranoid, and superstitious man; his principals and philosophies have altered. Here, Caesar is doubting his previous beliefs because of the suspicion that has rouse from the premonitions of his death. Toward death, it is clear that many humans have a tendency to modify or change their previous beliefs. It is said by Vivian Thomas in Twayne’s New Critical Introduction to Shakespeare, “Rather than fate governing events, what we see is that human tendency, in any crisis, to feel that there is some intangible force at work” (23). Caesar’s and
Cassius’s conversion of beliefs is justified because of a human’s proclivity towards
Shakespeare’s complex play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar contains several tragic heroes; a tragic hero holds high political or social esteem yet possesses an obvious character flaw. This discernible hubris undoubtedly causes the character’s demise or a severe forfeiture, which forces the character to undergo an unfeigned moment of enlightenment and shear reconciliation. Brutus, one of these tragic heroes, is a devout friend of the great Julius Caesar, that is, until he makes many execrable decisions he will soon regret; he becomes involved in a plot to kill the omniscient ruler of Rome during 44 B.C. After committing the crime, Mark Antony, an avid, passionate follower of Caesar, is left alive under Brutus’s orders to take his revenge on the villains who killed his beloved Caesar. After Antony turns a rioting Rome on him and wages war against him and the conspirators, Brutus falls by his own hand, turning the very sword he slaughtered Caesar with against himself. Brutus is unquestionably the tragic hero in this play because he has an innumerable amount of character flaws, he falls because of these flaws, and then comes to grips with them as he bleeds on the planes of Philippi.
In addition to this characteristic of Cassius, he also has a devious nature. This attribute allows him to invent informed manipulative plans to eliminate his opponents. For instance, after saying his farewells to Brutus, he gives a soliloquy that reveals his idea of throwing writings of different handwritings in Brutus’ windows “as if they came from several citizens” all of which “tending to the great opinion that Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely Caesar’s ambition shall be glancéd at” (Shakespeare I. ii. 306-309). Since Brutus and Cassius have been friends for a long period of time, Cassius holds an abundance of knowledge pertaining to his values--in this case being his honor and desire to please Rome’s citizens. This undermining plot Cassius has devised is based on an informed opinion of the most effective way to subvert Caesar’s authority, and because of the valid observations made of Brutus by Cassius, the likelihood that this clever scheme will be carried out successfully should make Caesar concerned about the intentions of his judicial
sc. II, 97-99). Cassius is also enraged because Caesar doesn't like him. Caesar suggests, "Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; / He thinks too much. such men are dangerous" (Act I, sc. II, 194-195). Cassius thinks that Caesar's temper is dangerous. He declares, "Ye gods! It doth amaze me, / A man of such a feeble temper should / So get the start of the majestic world, / And bear the palm alone" (Act I, sc. II, 128-131). See also & nbsp; Casca also is jealous of Caesar.
Julius Caesar, believed to have been written around 1599, is one of William Shakespeare’s most well-known historical works. The events of the play follow the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar by a group of Roman senators, and the subsequent upheaval of the state. The recent Orlando Shakespeare Theatre production of Julius Caesar utilized a cast of seven to portray a Dramatis Personae of more than thirty characters, similar to the style in which acting troupes would have performed Shakespeare’s works in taverns and smaller towns of the period. The reduced cast size and intimate setting of the Goldman Theatre, in which the play was staged, combined to more fully immerse the audience in the action of the play.
one exists. So far, Descartes came up with the best theory to explain it, but not everyone
In Shakespeare's “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”, between the two extremes of being a tyrant or sympathetic, Caesar would definitely be more leaning toward a monstrous tyrant. One example of Caesar’s power hunger is his brutal acts towards his opponents. Early on in the story that civilians began to cheer in the streets for Caesar’s victory in killing Pompey when the soldiers confront them about it.“To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome./ And when you saw his chariot but appear,/ Have you not made a universal shout/...And now you strew flowers n his way/ That come in triumph over Pompey’s blood?” (I.i.42-51). The soldiers chide the civilians for their utter ignorance to Caesar's rule and become worried for Rome itself from the conduct of these citizens. By Caesar killing
After analyzing the play of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” I found that the characteristics of betrayal, deception and exaggeration were abundant in the character of Cassius. Cassius was the leader of the conspirators against Caesar. There are similarities between Cassius and Adolf Hitler. Both had a hunger for power and control over their respective nations.
does not realize it until he is driven mad by it. His aspirations at first look may
The idea of ignorance, and the belief of a false faith, turns this noble man into a vulgar grave, with virtuous notions. Brutus’ ignorance creates an expectation that develops a path that leads him awry. When Brutus mentions, “I would not love Cassius; yet I love him well” (1.2.81-88 ), he portrays his internal conflict. Brutus depicts the struggle between Cassius’ acquisitions and Caesar’s actions.
However, when Decius arrives at Caesar’s home, he tries to convince Caesar that he has misinterpre...
Both Cassius and Brutus conspire against Caesar, yet Shakespeare depicts Brutus as doing a noble job compared to Cassius as doing a greedy and envious task. Cassius believes that he is stronger than Caesar. Therefore, Cassius does not understand why Caesar is in power and he is not. Cassius is also envious of Caesar. In Act I Scene II, Cassius describes to Brutus the time he had to save Caesar in a swimming race. Since then, Cassius feels superior to Caesar. In Cassius’ mind, kings’ right to rule should be based off of strength, not intelligence or virtue. On the other hand, Brutus knows that although a king should be strong, he must also be virtuous. Brutus always elaborates on the topic of honor. In fact, his first priority is to keep his own honor intact and Brutus fears that Caesar will change when he is crowned. Brutus says, “He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.” (Act II, Scene I, Page 49, lines 12-14) He senses Caesar’s greed for power, and ...
	Shakespeare illustrated Caesar as a tragic hero by showing that he was a historical figure with a tragic flaw which lead to his death. Julius Caesar took over most of the Roman Empire and his events are very important to history. First, Julius Caesar is very historical because if he wasn’t then, we would not be talking about him today. As Cassius ironically said, "...How many ages hence /Shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn..." (III,i,112-113). Secondly, Every tragic hero has a tragic flaw that leads them to their death and one of Julius Caesar’s flaw was arrogance. As Caesar himself said, "But I am constant as Northern Star.../There is no fellow in the firmament" (III,i,60-62). Finally, Caesar made a big mistake which lead him to his downfall when he didn’t take the soothsayer’s warning. Again this was the fact that Caesar was arrogant. The soothsayer said warning Caesar, "Beware of ides of March" (I,ii,23) then Caesar replied that the soothsayer was a fake, and to dismiss him.
Rome is thought of as one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. And the greatest ruler of the greatest empire, possibly the entire world, is Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar is known today to be a trustworthy, fair and brave leader, but you don’t become the greatest leader to ever live by not succeeding. He understood this and he was successful beyond measure.
A tragic hero is the antithesis for the common protagonist. Most protagonists show how they overcome great obstacles however, the tragic hero shows a more humane character, that stumbles and falls. The tragic hero usually exhibits three specific traits that lead to his or her downfall. In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the characters of Brutus and Caesar both exhibit the three attributes of a tragic character. The first trait of any tragic hero is a high rank and potential for greatness. Both Brutus and Caesar hold his trait, as they are beloved high ranking Romans. The second characteristic a tragic hero must possess; is a fatal flaw that dominates their personality, and Brutus’ sense of justice and Caesar’s ego, fulfill this
The Psychological Approach analyzes characters based on Freud’s conception of the human psyche-- id, ego, superego-- as well as relationships and conflicts within the story. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare develops Marc Antony and Brutus using these two methods; Marc Antony convinces the town people to revolt by controlling his id and ego, while Brutus is developed as honorable through his relationship with Cassius, his reputation, his progression from being manipulated to standing up for himself, and the choices he makes in difficult positions, such as whether or not to kill Caesar