D. Sellers
English 10 Adv (A)
April 16, 2008
The Character of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is so renowned as a Roman general that Brutus calls him “the foremost man of all this world” (IV. iii. 24). He has returned to Rome from a successful venture into Europe in which he has defeated his political enemies. Extremely popular among the people of Rome, “He possesse[s] innate talent, charisma, ambition, and luck, which, when combined, allow[s] his political power to increase.” In fact, he is about to be crowned king. But a number of the Senators, led my Cassius, Casca, and eventually Brutus, believe that giving the crown to Caesar is tantamount to giving him absolute power, and they are determined to stop him, even if they must kill him to do so (“About Julius Caesar”). Caesar is neither an entirely good man nor an evil one; rather, he is a man who has his strengths and his weakness. Shakespeare’s development of Caesar’s character is based on what other characters, notably Cassius and Brutus, say about him, how he interacts with his wife, and, most important, what Caesar says about himself.
In the early scenes of the play, Cassius explains that Caesar is just as mortal as himself and Brutus. He recounts how Caesar had lost a swimming race and needed saving and also how Caesar had a seizure when he was in Spain. He is incredulous that he saved Caesar from drowning and that “this man has now become a god/And Cassius is a wretched creature” (I. ii. 115-17). Brutus, on the other hand, is less envious of Caesar but more concerned about his potential to become a tyrant. He believes that Caesar must be stopped before it is too late and he becomes dangerous: “He would be crowned/How that might change his nature, there’s the question/…./And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg/…/And kill him in the shell” (II. i. 10-35).
Another side of Caesar’s character is revealed in the scene in which Calpurnia, having had ominous dreams, warns him not to go to the Capitol that day. In one sense, Caesar shows himself to be brave, as indeed he has proven in battle many times: “Cowards die many times before their deaths;/The valiant never taste of death but once” (III. i. 32-33). Yet when Decius contradicts Calpurnia’s interpretation of the dream and suggests that the Senators intend to offer Caesar the crown, Caesar’s desire to be king gets the better of his desire to appease Calpurnia, and he goes, saying somewhat callously to her, “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!/I am ashamed I did yield to them” (II. ii. 105-6). Caesar is indeed brave and devoted to his wife, but his political ambition trumps everything.
Finally, and most revealing, is what Caesar says about himself. Early in the play he establishes his sense of self importance and majesty when he tells Antony, “I rather tell what is to be feared/Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar” (I. ii. 211-12). But even more telling are the comments he makes in the Capitol immediately before his assassination. In perhaps one last effort to justify not killing Caesar, several of the senators petition him to rescind his banishment of one of the senator’s brother. Caesar’s reply is so unreasonable, so condescending, that it becomes clear that the senators’ fears are justified and that Caesar must die. Caesar refuses to even consider the petition because he regards himself as infallible simply by virtue of being Caesar: “Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/Will he be satisfied” (III. i. 47-48). His pride has reached its pinnacle, and he now thinks himself a god among mere mortals:
I could be well moved, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;
But I am constant as the Northern Star,
Of whose true-fixed and resting quality
There is n o fellow in the firmament. (III. i. 58-62)
And he goes even a step farther in referring to himself directly as a god when he commands: “Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?” (III. i. 75).
Julius Caesar, the foremost man of his time, was a man, not a god. Essentially he was neither better nor worse than most men, except that he made the fatal mistake of letting his pride get the better of his judgment and his humanity. And for that he paid the ultimate price.
Works Cited
“About Julius Caesar.” GradeSaver. 16 April 2008
English 10 Adv (A)
April 16, 2008
The Character of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is so renowned as a Roman general that Brutus calls him “the foremost man of all this world” (IV. iii. 24). He has returned to Rome from a successful venture into Europe in which he has defeated his political enemies. Extremely popular among the people of Rome, “He possesse[s] innate talent, charisma, ambition, and luck, which, when combined, allow[s] his political power to increase.” In fact, he is about to be crowned king. But a number of the Senators, led my Cassius, Casca, and eventually Brutus, believe that giving the crown to Caesar is tantamount to giving him absolute power, and they are determined to stop him, even if they must kill him to do so (“About Julius Caesar”). Caesar is neither an entirely good man nor an evil one; rather, he is a man who has his strengths and his weakness. Shakespeare’s development of Caesar’s character is based on what other characters, notably Cassius and Brutus, say about him, how he interacts with his wife, and, most important, what Caesar says about himself.
In the early scenes of the play, Cassius explains that Caesar is just as mortal as himself and Brutus. He recounts how Caesar had lost a swimming race and needed saving and also how Caesar had a seizure when he was in Spain. He is incredulous that he saved Caesar from drowning and that “this man has now become a god/And Cassius is a wretched creature” (I. ii. 115-17). Brutus, on the other hand, is less envious of Caesar but more concerned about his potential to become a tyrant. He believes that Caesar must be stopped before it is too late and he becomes dangerous: “He would be crowned/How that might change his nature, there’s the question/…./And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg/…/And kill him in the shell” (II. i. 10-35).
Another side of Caesar’s character is revealed in the scene in which Calpurnia, having had ominous dreams, warns him not to go to the Capitol that day. In one sense, Caesar shows himself to be brave, as indeed he has proven in battle many times: “Cowards die many times before their deaths;/The valiant never taste of death but once” (III. i. 32-33). Yet when Decius contradicts Calpurnia’s interpretation of the dream and suggests that the Senators intend to offer Caesar the crown, Caesar’s desire to be king gets the better of his desire to appease Calpurnia, and he goes, saying somewhat callously to her, “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!/I am ashamed I did yield to them” (II. ii. 105-6). Caesar is indeed brave and devoted to his wife, but his political ambition trumps everything.
Finally, and most revealing, is what Caesar says about himself. Early in the play he establishes his sense of self importance and majesty when he tells Antony, “I rather tell what is to be feared/Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar” (I. ii. 211-12). But even more telling are the comments he makes in the Capitol immediately before his assassination. In perhaps one last effort to justify not killing Caesar, several of the senators petition him to rescind his banishment of one of the senator’s brother. Caesar’s reply is so unreasonable, so condescending, that it becomes clear that the senators’ fears are justified and that Caesar must die. Caesar refuses to even consider the petition because he regards himself as infallible simply by virtue of being Caesar: “Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/Will he be satisfied” (III. i. 47-48). His pride has reached its pinnacle, and he now thinks himself a god among mere mortals:
I could be well moved, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;
But I am constant as the Northern Star,
Of whose true-fixed and resting quality
There is n o fellow in the firmament. (III. i. 58-62)
And he goes even a step farther in referring to himself directly as a god when he commands: “Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?” (III. i. 75).
Julius Caesar, the foremost man of his time, was a man, not a god. Essentially he was neither better nor worse than most men, except that he made the fatal mistake of letting his pride get the better of his judgment and his humanity. And for that he paid the ultimate price.
Works Cited
“About Julius Caesar.” GradeSaver. 16 April 2008
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