Julius Caesar Themes Essay

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The famous play by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, contains many important themes. The three themes that were the most important to me are: it can be hard to take advice, pride is the first hint of destruction, and innocence can be faked easily.
The first theme important to me is that it can be hard to take advice. The basic meaning of this theme is that, in order to be safe and successful in life, a person must learn to recognize and appreciate that advice and warnings can come from many sources, even unexpected ones. However, it is difficult for some people, especially those who are strong and confident, to realize this.
My first example occurs when the Soothsayer tells Caesar to be afraid on the ides of March, because some horrible event is going to happen to him. This is the first encounter that Caesar has with the Soothsayer. Caesar tries to avoid him and makes excuses for not talking to him.
“Caesar: Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March….
Caesar: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.” (Act 1, Scene 2)

The quote shows how Caesar is not willing to consider the shrewd advice of the Soothsayer. As a result of Caesar not listening a first time, the Soothsayer had to come back later in the story in order to remind Caesar of his warning about the ides of March. This time when he is warned in February, Caesar does not think much of it. He just puts it off and thinks to himself, “What do I need to worry about? Nothing bad ever happens to me, because I’m Caesar”.
Another example of not recognizing advice results in Caesars death in the story. Caesar is at the capitol ...

... middle of paper ...

...ommunicated by Julius Caesar is the theme of it can be hard to take advice. I think this because, in the story there were multiple times where Caesar was told something very important and he did not care to listen. Caesar could not live by the rules of other people, and he did not like having to take advice. This true fact is what ultimately causes him to be unaware of the conspirators plot to kill him, and then he dies. The reason for why the other two themes are not as sharply communicated is because the innocence of Caesar and Brutus does not have as many quotes that explain them. Also, Brutus’ innocence does not directly cause his death. The Pride that Caesar has throughout his many speeches does have a big part in his death, but because Caesar did not listen to the Soothsayer, Caesar has no prior knowledge of the conspirators’ plan to attack him.

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