Imagine you're in medieval times with very little technology and you experience the betrayal and death of a possible future king. Loyalty and betrayal is one of the most active concept within the play Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare. This has been an example of many different qualities but loyalty is one of the strongest examples. Loyalty was displayed in a variety of ways by the characters Mark Antony, Caius Cassius, and Marcus Brutus.
Mark Antony was completely loyal towards Julius Caesar and didn't dishonor him. The way Antony displayed his loyalty was positive. Antony has shown that his is willing enough to sacrifice himself for Caesar. “ Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die:
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No place will please me so, no means of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off” He has been an impact for Caesar which made him stronger. Antony was supporting and contributing to Caesar's wishes and demands. He would always obey him and would always make choices that benefited Caesar. Antony is Caesar's most loyal friend and remained loyal even when circumstances changed. Antony was truly devastated to know that Caesar has died. In the play Antony truly cares and is loyal to Caesar “O,pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, Thou art the ruins in the tide of times…”(3.1.254) Antony has showed his allegiance very clearly for Caesar and didn't betray him. But on the flip side Cassius was the opposite. Caius Cassius wasn't loyal towards Julius Caesar and he only acted like he did.
From the play Cassius has remarked about Caesar” 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.” which means: people are all under Caesar and find that if we follow him we end up with no honor in dying.(1.2.135) Cassius always carefully planned each move he would make to persuade others in joining the conspiracy. Cassius never supported or contributed to Caesar's wishes or demands. He acted like a friend to Caesar to not seem suspicious about his real side. Cassius would always act like he is loyal but in his mind he didn't like him and betrayed him when he could. Brutus talked about Cassius in regard of his disloyalty for Caesar “. . . To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards, For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. . . .”(2.1.162) Cassius’ loyalty remained within himself, and not for others. Cassius started the conspiracy and planned Caesar's …show more content…
death. Marcus Brutus’ concept of loyalty had the strongest effect on Caesar.
From the beginning Brutus was loyal, obeyed and helped Caesar. Brutus loved Caesar and didn't have any thought about betraying him. Brutus has been talked to by the conspiracy to talk about Caesar as a threat and that got Brutus thinking. Like from the play Brutus had said “ . . . And that craves wary walking. Crown him?-that;- And then, I grant, we put a sting on him, That at his will he may do danger with . The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar,” (2.1.10) Brutus then changed his ways and started acting like he was still loyal but the way Brutus portrayed his loyalty was both sides. Brutus also planned Caesar's death with Cassius. The visit to the conspirators has changed Brutus and he broke his Loyalty and betrayed Caesar thus had finished the final blow which led to the death of Julius Caesar. Which had been clearly stated by Antony: “ For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel: Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all;” (3.1.182) This concludes the 3 characters with 3 different points of
views. Antony has portrayed his loyalty as positive while Cassius as negative. Brutus has been positive from the beginning but has broken his trust and his loyalty. With all the loyalty displayed from the character Julius Caesar, Antony was loyal, Cassius betrayed him and Brutus has broken his loyalty towards Caesar, thus ending Caesar. If you lived in medieval times of Rome, what would you think of Julius Caesar? Would you trust in him or would you not?
By saying this, Antony is showing how he was as a friend To Caesar and is showing his loyalty and faith to him to tell the audience how great Caesar was.
Cassius truly believes Caesar has a frail state of mind and is unfit to have any form of authority in Rome. At first glance, his words and ideology seem to strive for the end of tyranny and become the savior of Romans, but it is clear he puts more emphasis on his rank rather than the well-being of others. When he states that their ranks were not their fault and should be taken into their own hands he intends to take his place by force with no regards for the Roman people or government. Additionally, Cassius shouldn’t be commended for saving Caesar from drowning because he remembrances on that deed to convince others that Caesar is feeble than most, yet he is treated like a god. Cassius’s greed for power motivates his murderous motivations but his ability to manipulate others to his will is also evident in his words. He refers to Caesar’s overwhelming power similar to a Colossus while he and the others “…walk under his huge legs… ” or are hidden in his glory. In reality though, the senators are more esteemed than despised. Another way Cassius misleads others is by faking Caesar’s fascist behaviors toward the commoners. He does so by forging negative letters about “Caesar’s Ambition” for Brutus to be pressured into joining his cause. Consumed by envy, he convinces Brutus to assassinate Caesar for the righteousness of the people but his incentive has
Cassius is a talented general, and does not like the fact that Caesar has become `god-like' in the Roman people's minds (see above quote Act I, Scene ii). Cassius can be seen as a great man because of his standing and title; however, his role as conspirator is much larger, and shows his power over others. Thus, in the eyes of the audience, he is perceived as great. However, he has a flaw, as all tragic heroes do: it is obvious from where his power is situated that he lacks integrity. He is impulsive and unscrupulous; this is...
A character from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Cassius, exhibits Machiavellian attributes by manipulation and a drive to accomplish his goal of assassinating Julius Caesar by any means. Cassius was able to successfully manipulate both Brutus and the fellow conspirators. Cassius was able to influence Brutus enough to make Brutus believe that killing Julius Caesar, Brutus’ best friend, was the right action. Initially, Brutus was wary of Cassius when Brutus said, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius?” (1.2.69) Subsequently, Brutus is persuaded as he states, “...what you have said / I will consider” (1.2.176-177). Cassius is willing to control any person who stands in his way. Cassius successfully turned Brutus against his best friend in order to achieve what Cassius believes to be best for Rome. When Brutus says, “Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires” (1.2.35) it is clear that Cassius has swayed Brutus to believe in his cause. In Julius Caesar, we do not see Cassius as the main leader of the cons...
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, one must read the text closely to track the shifting motivations and loyalties of each character as the play progresses. An important factor that must be kept in mind while reading is the degree of loyalty, in other words, the degree to which characters act out of a motivation to help others. Throughout the play, each character's current degree of loyalty to others is clearly exhibited by words or behavior – this holds true for the characters of Brutus, Cassius, Antony, Portia, and Calpurnia. The focus on loyalty is critical because before the play ends an even-handed justice is meted out to a number of people who fail to live up to an expected standard of loyalty to others.
In Julius Caesar, Cassius lead a group of conspirators, including Brutus, Caesar’s loyal friend, to kill Julius Caesar. Brutus, who was too trusting of those around him, had been convinced to help kill Caesar on the grounds that it was what would be the best for the Roman people, without knowing of the greed which motivated Cassius. Despite his good intentions, Brutus was disloyal to Caesar, and he paid the price. After Caesar’s death, Brutus and Cassius are driven out of the city by the mob rule that ensues. The people of Rome have plans to avenge Caesar’s death, shouting “Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live!” (3.2.197-198). Meanwhile, the loyal Mark Antony is preparing an army. Antony was responsible for turning the people against Brutus after Caesar’s death, and now had plans to fight Brutus using his own forces. While the Roman mob promises to kill Brutus, they pledge to Mark Antony, “We’ll hear him. We’ll follow him. We’ll die with him” (3.2.201). Though the Romans are rash and easily swayed, it is clear that loyalty is extremely important...
Brutus put his trust in Antony to not turn on him at the funeral. He was lead to believe that Antony would only speak good of the conspirators and defend them for the actions they have made. He trusted Antony when he told him he would not express such hate and talk of the bad they did and then later turned against them for the vengeance of Caesar. Brutus told Antony, “You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Caesar” (III.i.245-246). He told him that the only way he is going to be able to speak at Caesar’s funeral is if he speaks good of the conspirators. After Antony said his speech, the whole crowd immediately switched and sided with him against them. They wanted nothing more than for Brutus, Cassius and the other contributors to be dead. This reveals that Brutus is shameful for putting his trust in someone who was so close to Caesar. Brutus trusted that Antony wouldn't do anything and just imagined he would be to scared to step up and speak out. This leads to Brutus losing the trust he had for Antony and starting a war between the people and the conspirators. As the war was about to proceed, they all prepped for what was about to happen. Antony and his army completely dominated Brutus’ and lead to many of them fleeing for their lives. Many people died by genocide while other committed suicide. Brutus was among the ones of suicide. He no longer wanted to be alive and felt that he had lived and fulfill what he had wanted. People were dead and he knew he was going to be one of them. Brutus’ last words were, “Caesar, now be still; I killed not thee with half so good a will” (V.v.50-51). He wanted Caesar to know that he can now be at rest because the vengeance he was looking for has been given. Because of all the trust he put in the people that were taking advantage of him, he ended up finishing his life. This reveals that Brutus really did
Throughout most of the play Brutus is constantly internally conflicted. Does he do what he believes is best for Rome or stay loyal to his friend and leader? Should he assist in the murder of one person to benefit many? Although killing Caesar was in the end a bad choice, Brutus always tries to do what is best for Rome and for the people. However even though all of Brutus’ motives are good he still has the tragic flaw of pride, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The reason that Brutus gets caught up in the conspiracy is because Cassias appeals to his pride and flatters him with forged letters from the Roman people saying he is a greater leader then Caesar.
He has two opposing desires that he has to choose between. These are killing Caesar to preserve democracy in Rome and to save Caesar, since he is a friend of Brutus. A quote from J.L. Simmons that summarizes this well is, “Certainly the material lends itself to a conflict between private and public affections” (Simmons 64). Brutus wants to kill Caesar for Rome because the citizens of Rome want to preserve democracy and Caesar is preventing that by being dictator for life. A quote that puts this in other words is, “The ultimate factor in persuading Brutus to join the conspiracy is his belief that his countrymen wish him to act on their behalf” (Shalvi 71). Killing Caesar would be a choice made for not himself, but the citizens of Rome while saving him would be for himself and to preserve his friendship with Caesar. Saving Caesar would be a deed for himself and would strengthen his relationship with Caesar. He could have warned Caesar of the conspirators’ plans and put a stop to them. Brutus ultimately makes the choice of following through and assassinating Caesar. His plan was for this to be a honorable action, but it ended up negative on his behalf. The majority of the citizens in Rome did not take this lightly and wanted revenge for his actions. This is the main mistake made by Brutus that lead to his own
Loyalty is a very complex emotion in which a person or animal feels devotion and faithfulness to something or someone. A dog has loyalty to others. Its owner may accidentally slam a door on it, and it will still be loyal to its owner. A cat has loyalty to itself. If its owner pets it wrong, the cat will attack. Dogs and cats show differentiating loyalty, and so do the characters in William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. Loyalty is a main theme in the play, with each character showing it differently. Throughout the play, Cassius, Antony, and Brutus all show varying degrees of loyalty.
Mark Antony’s loyalty to Julius Caesar was one of the most loyal bonds history can account for. He had changed his political preference to accommodate for Julius Caesar’s friendship. He put his life on the line on multiple occasions to prove his loyalty to Caesar. Even though Julius Caesar’s party sought his demise Mark Antony stayed true to Caesar. After the death of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony proved his love for Caesar by giving a eulogy at his funeral. During the eulogy,which Brutus gave permission to Antony to give, Antony cleverly made Julius Caesar look good as he sarcastically destroys the reputations of the conspirators ”He was my friend,and just to me. But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man.”(lll.ii.84-86) Antony also hunted down some of the conspirators that led to the death of his lord.
When Brutus betrayed Caesar for the good of Rome by killing him, he had no idea that he would regret it later on in his life. Brutus wanted to kill Caesar because he thought that if Caesar became king, he would forget who his real friends are and he would not pay attention to them. He also thought that Caesar would become too powerful and therefore did not want him to be king. This is shown when Portia says, “…Brutus hath a suit / that Caesar will not grant…” (2.4.41-42). Although Brutus had a clear conscience, the people of Rome did not. This eventually led to Brutus being driven out of Rome by the citizens. Not being associated with Rome anymore made Brutus’ life worse and he eventually took his own life as the only way to...
He is so motivated by ambition that he decides to kill Caesar, the leader of Rome. Although dedication can be a good quality, in Cassius, it blinds him to all other things and makes him ruthless in his quest to rule Rome. Cassius’s desire for power is evident when he states, "Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings" (1.2.146-148). Cassius’ ambition leads him to go as far as to convince a dear friend with manipulation and false notes to help him plot to kill Caesar. His ambition makes him power hungry and he lacks the honor to back up his overzealous behavior. Cassius envies Caesar and because of this he resorts to bribery, assassinations, and imposing taxes for personal
In this play, Cassius’ motivation is completely inspired by evil and hatred. His jealousy of Caesar and greed for power drives him to create the conspiracy and start plotting the death of Caesar. While talking to Casca, he says, “What trash is Rome, / What rubbish and what offal, when is serves / For the bas matter to illuminate / So vile a thing as Caesar!” (I.iii.109-112). This shows some of the true feelings Cassius has about Caesar. He believes that Caesar is not worthy of his power and does not want anyone to hold more power than him. Although he justifies the killing of Caesar as an act for freedom from tyranny, his motivation is full of bad intent. In an attempt to disguise his true motives, Cassius convinces Brutus, an honorable and well-respected man, to join the conspiracy. He tells Brutus, “Brutus and Caesar-what should be in that “Caesar”? / Why should that name be sounded more than yours? / Write them together, yours is as fair a name. / Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well. / ...
Brutus is considered an honorable, noble man in Rome and it is important to Cassius that he becomes part of the conspiracy. In Act 1, Cassius and Brutus agree that Caesar becoming king would be detrimental to Rome. Cassius starts off persuading Brutus by describing how weak Caesar is. He states, “he had a fever when he was Spain, and when the fit was on him, I did mark how he did shake; ‘tis true, this god did shake” (I.ii.119-121). Cassius is trying to show Brutus that Caesar is not perfect or better than everyone else. In fact, he is weak and infirm. Next, Cassius makes the point that Caesar is too powerful and if he becomes king, he will rule over the people “like a Colossus” (I.ii.136). Brutus says he will consider joining the conspiracy if it is