An Analysis of Politics in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar places human struggles in a dramatic, historical setting that is relatable for both a reside and reading audience. The play illustrates the internal and external conflict in between private values and social or political constructs. Throughout the play, individuals’ character is revealed in the decisions created in between morality and personal advantage. The audience sees that politics are not divided among correct and wrong, but by leaders who struggle to decide what is ideal. These two ideas lead to the thought that politics are defined by the character of the political leaders. Shakespeare utilizes Julius Caesar to show audiences the inevitability of a person’s character influencing their political beliefs and actions.

Shakespeare makes use of his characters to show the audience that character can be determined by the choices folks make. Several of the crucial struggles in the play involve characters selecting among what is ideal for other people and what is very best for themselves. Brutus and the conspirators have to make that choice when they finalize their plans to kill Caesar. Brutus says that he has “no individual lead to to spurn at [Caesar], / but for the general,” picking to participate in Caesar’s assassination due to the fact it will safeguard the Roman Republic and it’s representative government (Shakespeare, two.1.11-12). Brutus makes a decision that advantages the Roman government and men and women, even although it risks his security and reputation. He chooses the properly-getting of the folks above his personal, and he is completely understanding of the dangers he faces by agreeing to assist in Caesar’s assassination. Brutus also has a strong partnership with Caesar and he knows that option to kill him betrays the trust he and Caesar have. Regardless, he knowingly prioritizes the accomplishment of Rome more than his personal success and security. Brutus also fiercely protects his wife, Portia, refusing to tell her about the plot to kill Caesar, even although she pleads with him to “make [her] acquainted with [his] lead to of grief” (two.1.271). Brutus does not want to worry or endanger Portia on his behalf. Brutus accepts the possibility of his personal suffering as a result of his selection to contribute to Caesar’s assassination, but he knows that he can not expect his wife to do the same. He knows that his actions will put Portia in danger and while that does not deter him, he makes an work to afford her whatever comfort she can take in getting unaware of her husband’s actions. His relationship with Portia his comparable to the partnership he has with Caesar since, though he values both, he is prepared to risk each for the benefit of Rome. The difference, nonetheless, is that he attempts to safeguard Portia, whereas he accepts that he should betray Caesar in order to defend the Republic. These moments portray Brutus as selfless and loyal to loved ones and the Roman Republic, redefining his character. Antony also faces a decision between acting selflessly or selfishly when Octavius arrives in Rome. Antony tells Octavius that they ought to “let [their] alliances be combined” against Cassius and Brutus (four.1.47). Antony initial functions with Octavius when forming the triumvirate and top Rome, but his movement to join Octavius in their conflict with Cassius and Brutus reveals other motivations for their partnership. When Antony proposes an alliance, he ensures himself a position of power right after their battle. He makes this decision so he can either stay a element of the triumvirate soon after the war, or maintain a effective position beneath Octavius if he chooses to turn into the sole leader of the Roman Empire. It is possible that Antony’s true intentions were to strengthen his army and make certain victory, which is much less of a selfish act. His decision may be perceived as selfish or simply strategic, but it shifts the audience’s understanding of Antony and his character. Each Brutus and Antony make challenging selections in the play which show the audience their character and morals. Shakespeare shows the audience that one’s character substantially impacts the choices he or she makes, as a result one’s character can be defined by his or her previous options.

The political conflict in Julius Caesar portrays political choices as becoming more complicated than a selection in between a correct and incorrect selection. Shakespeare uses this to aid his audience realize that political leaders make choices that they believe are the very best, since there is by no means a clear proper or incorrect choice. This thought is very first presented subtly when Julius Caesar is urged to turn into the sole leader of Rome. Casca tells Cassius that the senators “mean to establish Caesar as a king” (1.3.90). Some characters, such as Antony and Caesar himself, believe Caesar should be king, whereas Brutus and the other conspirators think that Caesar’s rule and the end of the Republic would be disastrous for Rome. There are two possibilities: Caesar becomes king or he does not. Neither possibility has definite, recognized outcomes. This tends to make it impossible to know which selection will make certain the very best future for Rome. The individuals and leaders of Rome can only predict the outcomes of Caesar’s rule, and every of their predictions are subjective and exclusive. Shakespeare makes use of this uncertainty to model the complexity of political choices and demonstrate how politicians judge primarily based on what they think is ideal simply because they cannot know the outcomes of their actions till after they have been made. This is additional confirmed by the state of the Roman Empire at the end of Julius Caesar. In the finish of the play, neither the conspirators nor Antony and Caesar witness the final results they expected. Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that he “saw Mark Antony / supply [Caesar] a crown” for the duration of the Feast of Lupercal, indicating that Antony favors and expects Caesar’s rule (1.2.243-244). Antony supports the notion of Caesar becoming the king of Rome due to the fact he believes Caesar’s rule will be greatest for Rome and himself. The conspirators oppose Caesar’s rule due to the fact they worry that he will lead Rome to “stand beneath one particular man’s awe” (two.1.52). The conspirators believe that the finish of the Roman Republic will hurt the Roman men and women and the Roman government. Caesar is assassinated before he can take the throne, but his nephew, Octavius, in the end becomes Caesar’s successor right after defeating Brutus and Cassius. None of the expectations place forth in the starting of the play are truly fulfilled. The final outcome exemplifies how fragile and unpredictable politics are. Antony and the conspirators have an notion of what they objectively think will lead to the most prosperous future for themselves and Rome, and they make their choices with these concepts, however realistic or wonderful they may be. All of the choices characters make concerning Caesar’s rule are based on their opinions and values due to the fact they have no way of being confident that one particular choice would be far more useful in the end. Shakespeare makes use of the controversy over Caesar’s impending rule and the difference amongst his characters’ expectations and reality to express the unpredictability in politics. His characters do not face problems with a merely correct or wrong choice, but complicated concerns with numerous choices with varied outcomes that are not possible to efficiently anticipate.

Shakespeare utilizes the story of Julius Caesar’s assassination to illustrate the convoluted connection in between the character of political leaders and political choices they make. He shows his audience that the alternatives a leader tends to make are strongly impacted by their character. Julius Caesar demonstrates that, even if it is not always clear, political judgments are rarely produced independently of the morals and private beliefs of the particular person making the selection. Antony is selfish and has a desire for energy. His character traits correlate with the political selections he tends to make. His wish for power explains his gravitation toward working alongside effective leaders, such as Caesar and Octavius. Antony’s self-serving tendencies let the audience to better interpret his political options. It becomes apparent that he makes political choices that he expects will bring power to himself and his allies due to the fact, from his perspective, they are the greatest selections. Brutus’ character also closely influences his political actions. It is established that Brutus is loyal and selfless. His loyalty to the Roman Republic leads to Caesar’s assassination. This same loyalty lead to his opposition to Antony and Octavius in a battle following Caesar’s death. Brutus is steadfast in his commitment to making political stability and efficiency in Rome. His political choices reflect his tendency to stand by his earlier decisions and beliefs. He is also selfless in his willingness to put himself at threat for the sake of the Roman Republic. He chooses to kill Caesar even although he knows it could lead to his personal death because he believes it is the best action to support the Rome and its folks. His beliefs and suggestions are influenced by his selfless and loyal character, causing him to make political decisions and carry out political actions that he believes are best for other people, without having concern for the way it may harm him. He dangers his life to guarantee the prosperity of the Republic, only stopping to regard how his actions could have an effect on the individuals he cares about. In each Brutus and Antony’s case, it is clear that their character plays a large function in their political options and contributions. None of their character traits lack influence on the choices they make, top the audience to recognize that it is practically not possible for a particular person to make political decisions with no permitting their individual ideas to have an effect on their judgment and understanding. Leaders make decisions primarily based on what they know, count on, and want these are heavily influenced by their character traits and tendencies. A leader’s character determines the decisions they make.