Examples Of Power In Julius Caesar

Power can be a great thing and a truly magnificent asset to many people. Unfortunately, some people are willing to go as far as killing for it. Obtaining massive amounts of power can be a major making or breaking point to whomever gets a chance to get it. In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the theme of power portrays exactly how it can change people and portray the worst in people. William Shakespeare expresses this theme mainly by the dialogue and speeches that the characters give throughout the course of the play. In the beginning of this play, Julius Caesar is a noble man whose ultimate plan is to gain absolute control of Rome. Conspirators begin to view Caesar as a threat and they feel he might destroy Roman ideals and values if he is crowned. “He would be crown’d. How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder (…) And therefore think him as a serpents egg Which, hatch’d,

“Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o’ nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.”- Caesar (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 1). Caesar playfully reveals his need to be surrounded by fat, yes-men but he ultimately comes to the conclusion that this is a necessity in order to secure his power. This tells you a lot about Julius Caesar’s leadership style. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your Ears!”- Antony (Act 3, Scene 2, Page 3). Fast forwarding to after Caesar’s assassination, Antony gives a well-crafted eulogy at Caesar’s funeral. Although Antony promised not to talk bad about Caesar’s assassinators, his speech was deliberately designed to turn the people against the conspirators and to launch himself into a position of power. The success of this speech proposes that good leadership goes along with speaking