The assassination of Julius Caesar was probably one of those few moments that
literally changed the course of history. Many historians agree that Caesar might
have been just another military dictator such as the generals Sulla and Marius, who
are, in comparison with Caesar, unknown; a successful general, but incompetent at
reforming the Roman res publica1 .
The assassination of the title character is also the central moment in Shakespeare’s
drama “Julius Caesar“. His death causes the change of scene (away from Rome)
and the change from a relatively stable res publica to civil war. The play presents
the major protagonists of these events: Casca, Cassius, Brutus, Caesar, Marc
Antony and, to a lesser degree, the Roman public.
The Roman people are a background before which the main characters act and by
whomthey (i.e. the people) are manipulated more or less successfully. The reasons
the assassins and their antagonists have, pretend to have or do not have for what
they do become apparent in what they tell the man-in-the-street. Occasionally,
when we hear them talk to a close friend or to themselves, we find matters are not
as simple as the public is made to believe. Brutus has doubts about the attack,
Cassius‘ aim is not the welfare of the res publica, Marc Antony fakes friendship
with the conspirators.
We see that there are certain political as well as moral ambiguities in the
assassination of Julius Caesar as Shakespeare presents it. In this paper, we will first
look at the Roman people as the background, then examine the character and
motives of Casca, Cassius and finally Brutus. [...]
1 I use the expression “res publica“ because its English equivalent, the “common-wealth“, has
other connotations; I also tried to avoid the word “state“.
Table of Contents
- 1. The turning-point (of a dagger)
- 2. The Roman public
- 3. Casca a member of the conspiracy
- 4. Cassius mastermind of the conspiracy
- 5. Brutus figurehead of the conspiracy
- 6. Marc Antony vs Brutus - the speeches in 3.2
- 7. The failure of the conspiracy
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the moral and political ambiguities surrounding the assassination of Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play, focusing on the actions and motivations of the key conspirators and their impact on the Roman public. The analysis aims to explore how Shakespeare portrays the complexities of this pivotal historical moment.
- The role of the Roman public in shaping the events of the play.
- The differing motivations of the conspirators (Casca, Cassius, Brutus).
- The political implications of Caesar's assassination.
- The manipulation of public opinion by key characters.
- The moral ambiguities inherent in the conspirators' actions.
Chapter Summaries
1. The turning-point (of a dagger): This chapter introduces the assassination of Julius Caesar as a pivotal historical moment, highlighting its significance in shaping the course of Roman history. Shakespeare's play is presented as a dramatic exploration of this event, focusing on key figures such as Casca, Cassius, Brutus, Caesar, and Marc Antony, alongside the Roman populace. The chapter emphasizes the political and moral ambiguities inherent in the assassination, setting the stage for a deeper analysis of the characters' motivations and actions.
2. The Roman public: This chapter examines the portrayal of the Roman public in Shakespeare's play. The analysis centers on the three instances where the plebeians appear, highlighting the inconsistencies in their opinions and behavior. It explores their political engagement (or lack thereof) and their susceptibility to manipulation by the key players. The chapter questions whether the Roman people are truly politically apathetic or simply fickle in their allegiances, underscoring their crucial, yet often passive, role in the unfolding events.
Keywords
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare, assassination, Roman Republic, political intrigue, moral ambiguity, conspiracy, public opinion, Brutus, Cassius, Marc Antony, manipulation.
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
What is this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a scholarly analysis of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on the moral and political complexities surrounding Caesar's assassination.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the role of the Roman public, the differing motivations of the conspirators (Casca, Cassius, Brutus), the political implications of Caesar's assassination, the manipulation of public opinion, and the moral ambiguities inherent in the conspirators' actions.
What are the chapters covered in the analysis?
The analysis covers the following chapters: 1. The turning-point (of a dagger); 2. The Roman public; 3. Casca a member of the conspiracy; 4. Cassius mastermind of the conspiracy; 5. Brutus figurehead of the conspiracy; 6. Marc Antony vs Brutus - the speeches in 3.2; 7. The failure of the conspiracy.
What is the focus of Chapter 1: "The turning-point (of a dagger)"?
Chapter 1 introduces the assassination of Julius Caesar as a pivotal historical moment, highlighting its significance and focusing on key figures like Casca, Cassius, Brutus, Caesar, and Marc Antony, along with the Roman populace. It emphasizes the political and moral ambiguities surrounding the assassination.
What is the focus of Chapter 2: "The Roman public"?
Chapter 2 examines the portrayal of the Roman public in Shakespeare's play, analyzing their opinions and behavior across three instances of their appearance. It explores their political engagement and susceptibility to manipulation, questioning their political apathy or fickleness.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords associated with this analysis include: Julius Caesar, Shakespeare, assassination, Roman Republic, political intrigue, moral ambiguity, conspiracy, public opinion, Brutus, Cassius, Marc Antony, manipulation.
What is the overall objective of this analysis of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?
The analysis aims to explore how Shakespeare portrays the complexities of the assassination of Julius Caesar, focusing on the moral and political ambiguities surrounding the event and the actions and motivations of the key conspirators and their impact on the Roman public.
- Quote paper
- Martin Klinkhardt (Author), 2001, "Remember March, the Ides of March remember" - Moral and political ambiguities of the assassination of Julius Caesar, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25505
