The Common Man's Role In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
In this essay, I will discuss who the common man is, his involvement
in the governing of the city and his effect on the success of the
higher figures.
Shakespeare is renowned for setting a sturdy background to his plays
in their opening scenes as he does most famously in Macbeth where he
introduces the idea of the world being upside down. Here Shakespeare
immediately introduces the upper classes' perception of the common man
as a key theme.
In the streets of Rome in Act 1 Scene 1 we are given an excellent
basis of the position of both the common man and the tribunes. The
common man's first appearance sees him bothered by Murellus and
Flavius, two higher class tribunes. "You blocks, you stones, you worse
than senseless things!" The common man is looked down upon with
complete disrespect and in this scene they prove their stupidity with
weak jokes, inane laughter and dependent behaviour. Cobbler, "A trade
sir, as you would say, a mender or bad soles" After futile attempts at
explaining the meaning and importance of recent political changes,
Murellus and Flavius banish the crowd from the streets. This opening
scene tells us how Rome is at the time and provides the reader (or
play-goer) with a view of the common man against which their depiction
in the rest of the play can be measured.
The key themes of the play are instantly obvious and the common man's
part is immediately recognised by the reader. Rome is torn between
democracy and totalitarianism but early in the play we see that the
common man likes a strong leader. They need to be led because they are
unable to make d...
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...upright man".
This is evidence that the politics of Julius Caesar have definite
contemporary relevance.
In conclusion, I think that despite the common man being shown by
Shakespeare to be stupid, simple and impressionable, their importance
is far more than skin deep. It becomes more and more clear that the
common man is Rome because of the sheer quantity of them, thus making
them the most important people in the play, the public. The higher
figures' success is dependent on his opinion and even though it may
not be difficult to persuade the common man, both Brutus and Antony
both recognise this. But it is their interpretation of what methods
are best for swaying their fickle opinions that separates them and
even though Brutus and Antony can both see that the common man is
powerful, only Antony is able to use them.
Brutus and Antony’s use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos throughout the novel are just examples of the everyday persuasion used around us daily, when reading the play it does look like one giant competition to see who is the most persuasive and influential character. Even in today’s economy companies have to compete for the attention of consumers’ worldwide and politicians who argue their beliefs and views to millions of voters in order to get what they want, because the art of persuasion is just one big game.
shakespeare was one of the most famous writer in the western literary world. his works shine like the morning stars in the sky. julius caesar is one of his masterpiece. it is a script described julius caesar’s assassination and people around him. in julius caesar shakespeare exposes the disadvantages of leadership through the actions, conflicts and failure of brutus. there are many place in the play show that brutus is not a good leader. brutus is a tragic hero in this play, he is a noble man, he want to kill caesar not for himself but for rome. under his leading, the people who followed him to kill caesar going to fail step by step.
Shakespeare uses "Julius Caesar" in an attempt to show how a person should react in relation to the state.
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”. Elements of Literature. Ed. Deborah Appleman. 4th ed. Texas: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2009. 843-963.
In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius are both considered honorable men by the public. But, like all traits, honor is in the eye of the beholder. Honor is defined as evidence or symbols of distinction. Those who are placed in power are often chosen because of their traits, which include being honorable. If those in power have any faults, it could diminish their position in the eyes of the public.
The play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare showcases many characters and events that go through many significant changes. One particular character that went through unique changes was Julius Caesar. The 16th century work is a lengthy tragedy about the antagonists Brutus and Cassius fighting with the protagonists Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus over the murder of Julius Caesar. Although the play’s main pushing conflict was the murder of Julius Caesar, he is considered a secondary character, but a protagonist. Throughout the theatrical work Julius Caesar’s actions, alliances, character developments, and internal and external conflicts display his diverse changes. William Shakespeare retold a very unique event
On that first fateful day, when Romulus struck down his own brother Remus, the cauldron of Rome was forged in blood and betrayal. The seeds on the Palatine hill cultured one of the most potent and stretching empires of human history. Though this civilization seemingly wielded the bolts of Zeus, they were infested with violence, vanity, and deception. Yet, one man—or seemingly “un”-man—outshone and out-graced his surroundings and everyone within it. He brought Rome several victories and rescued his beloved country from an early exodus, thus providing her a second beginning. This man was Marcus Furius Camillus, and against a logical and emotional mind, he was oft less than loved and celebrated. At times he was disregarded, insulted and even exiled—irrevocably an unwarranted method to reward Rome’s “Second Founder.” This contrast of character between hero and people was perhaps too drastic and too grand. The people were not yet ready to see Marcus Furius Camillus as a model of behavior to be emulated—to be reproduced. Hence, much of Livy’s Book 5 provides a foundation for the Roman people to imitate and assimilate a contrasting, honest, and strong behavior and temperament
Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is the story of a man trying his best to
Two powerful leaders, one power hungry whose ambitious ideas lead to his downfall, the other mindful of people who deserve their higher positions. A true leader is someone who has a vision, a drive and commitment to achieve what's best. In the play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Brutus and Caesar are one of the main characters. They demonstrate leadership qualities that are still relevant to today. They are both very ambitious characters; however, they do so for different reasons and differ in their openness to others. There are many similarities and differences that lie between them. Both are noble and great men with loyal followers and neither man questions the rightness of his own path. Both made crucial mistakes that resulted in their death. However, Caesar acts out of love for for himself, his country, and to retain his power as ruler of Rome. Brutus on the other hand acts out of love for freedom of Rome. This essay will discuss and compare their qualities as leaders as well as their styles and how they are effective/ineffective in the play.
Both Caesar and Brutus were main characters in this play. Two sides formed during the play, and these two characters were the leaders of each side, respectively. Also, each character held a high rank in the Roman society. Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire, and could basically do whatever he wanted due to his outstanding power. Brutus was a general for the Empire and he was respected and was seen as a noble man and true “Roman” by many.
The characters and situations in Julius Caesar can be twisted to tell of contemporary society. & nbsp; The persona of Julius Caesar represents many things in Shakespeare's play, among which are ambition, power, and impending disaster. In today's society, he can stand for the Human Genome Project. Although the Genome Project promises to spawn cures for genetic diseases, it also carries the fear of genetically enhanced humans. Like Caesar, the Genome Project seems to be boasting of benevolence while quietly ushering in malevolence at the same time. & nbsp; Caesar's foils, Cassius and Brutus, can be found in the opponents of the Genome Project.
“Assumptions are normally the mother of all mistakes,” a quote by the philosopher Eugene Fordsworthe. In 58 B.C., Julius Caesar was a Roman General who ruled Rome along with two other men, Crassus and Pompey. Caesar was renowned for his numerous victories against the Gauls. He even defeated one of his alleged partners Pompey, which ultimately gave Caesar full reign of Rome. Caesar was a brutal leader; he even appointed himself dictator for life. Many feared he would become king, and the Roman Republic would have to resort to the past ways of the Roman Monarchy. A group of ‘nobles’ took it upon themselves to assassinate Caesar. Caesar may have been a brutal ruler, but he was accused and judged for actions that had not taken place yet. Therefore, the ‘nobles’ should not have killed Caesar. The first reason they should not have killed him was the fact that they were basing their decisions and anger off of assumptions made about Caesar. Secondly, the death of Caesar created animosity among the Roman people spurring mobs. Lastly, all of the conspirators ended up on the same road as Caesar, and that road was death.
Motivation can cause people to work hard and win a state championship, but it can also cause people to kill. Motivation can be defined as an internal state of a person that drives them to action for the purpose of reaching a target goal. William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is a tragic drama that shows a huge variety of the different motives that fuel each character. Readers see what motivates each character, and how far that motivation takes them. Whether they are motivated by malice, jealousy, revenge, or loyalty, each character has their own incentives for their actions. Whatever motives they may have, readers see how these motives drive Cassius, Brutus, and Antony to extreme measures, and how this leads to tragic deaths in the end.
In modern society, it is more common to hear of one choosing to die, rather than withstand pain. From soldiers with PTSD committing suicide, to cancer patients seeking euthanasia, and teens overwhelmed with the trials of becoming an adult, death is often seen as a relief. However, every so often, one hears of a brave soul who endures the pain with patience.
The most important characters of the play Julius Caesar are clearly the citizens of Rome. The citizens have an important effect on both the audience and the characters in the play because of their unlimited desire to passionately express their emotions. Throughout the play these emotions are communicated through various events.