Julius Caesar
by
William Shakespeare
Julius Caesar was written by William Shakespeare in 1599, it is a historical tragedy set in
ancient Rome and revolves around Caesar's political conspiracy, his death, and the
aftermath.
Julius Caesar won over Pompey, leading to a celebration not everyone was pleased with. A
group of conspirators with the fear that Caesar would become a tyrant plot to assassinate
him to save the Roman Republic, including Brutus and Cassius.
Caesar ignores the warnings from a soothsayer “beware the Ides of March” and his wife
Calpurnia’s dreams, going to the Senate on March 15 (the translation of the soothsayer
words) where he is stabbed to death by the conspirators, with Casca being the one who
stabbed him first. Caesar’s last words before his death were: “Et tu, Brute?” translating to:
“and you too, Brutus?” shows the shock on Caesar by Brutus’s betrayal.
Cassius and Brutus try to justify their actions of why they killed Caesar to the public.
However, Mark Antony, who was a royal friend to Caesar gives a speech leading to a Civil
War against the conspirators.
When Brutus and Cassius flee from Rome they gather an army to fight against Antony and
Octavius, Caesar’s adopted heir. The Battle of Philippi is where Cassius and Brutus were
defeated, leading to both suicides. After the battle, Antony and Octavius emerge as the new
leaders of Rome.
Brutus is a character portrayed as a noble and honorable man, respected by the people of
Rome, his internal conflict about Caesar, and his fear of him becoming a tyrant, drives him
to join the conspiracy against him, believing that what he is doing is for the greater good of
Rome.
He believes in the principles of the Roman Republic. He is naive, which leads to his downfall
as he is manipulated by Cassius when he tells him to join the conspiracy, and outmaneuvered
by Antony.
Julius Caesar is portrayed as a powerful and ambitious leader, but also shown to be weak and
superstitious. All of his victories and popularity made him a threat for the Republic, because
he sought absolute [Link] death of Caesar in the play was a symbolizing moment,
marking the end of an era and the beginning of chaos in Rome.
Mark Antony, is a multifaceted and formidable character. He is a deep friend of Caesar, and
was truly affected by his death. The loyalty for Caesar drives him to seek revenge against the
conspirators. Giving a manipulative speech, Antony makes an alliance with the Roman
populace and Octavius and Lepidus against Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators.
