Power In Julius Caesar Essay

5. JULIUS CAESAR

In this chapter, I will give a close look at Shakespeare’s epic tragedy Julius Caesar, a play favorite to many people for more than 400 years. I believe the reason for that is that every generation since Shakespeare’s time has been able to identify with some political aspect of the play. The play is rich both thematically and dramatically, it is almost Roman in nature, and it deals intensively with politics. “The part played by Shakespeare himself in creating our notions of the ancient Romans should not be forgotten... we are all in the power of Shakespeare’s imagination, a power which has been exercised for several generations and from which it is scarcely possible to extricate ourselves”. (Spencer, 1957) Shakespeare, with this play, helped us to see how the life in ancient Rome was and to form opinions of the Romans; and he did

The play begins with Julius Caesar returning in triumph to Rome from the war against Pompey’s sons in Spain but mutiny is rumbling through the corridors of power. The Roman republic prepares to heap Caesar with new honors, which cause concern among some noblemen since they fear one man holds too much power and express their discontent to the other Romans. A soothsayer, during the celebrations, warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March but he is ignoring him, just like all the next signs. Brutus and Cassius discuss their fear that Caesar’s ambition is to become king, despite Casca telling them that he had refused the people’s offer of the crown. In Casca’s view, the refusal was an act for the crowd. Casca, Cassius, and Cinna agree they need to win Brutus over to their cause, the assassination of Julius Caesar. Brutus has been reflecting on the dangers of having Caesar crowned, so he agrees with the conspirators to the assassination plot, persuaded that his death is imperative for the good of