Williliam Shakespeare’s tragic play, Julius Caesar, builds around the conflict among a group of conspirators and the person they are conspiring against. Julius Caesar tells the story of the assassination and downfall of an influential leader in Ancient Rome, named Julius Caesar, and the people responsible for his death. The story depicts the multifarious conflicts that arise between the conspirators after Caesar’s death. Shakespeare develops plot through internal and external conflict to illustrate Brutus’ clash between responsibility and personal morals.
Brutus’ internal struggles cause him to create an obvious divide in his views. From a personal perspective, he loves Caesar. and values his friendship. Caesar has always been ardent and…
There is conflict between Brutus and Cassius, based on their different relationships with Caesar. Brutus attempts to base decisions on what he believes will be the best for his family and the Republic, while not hurting Caesar at the same time. Meanwhile, what drives Cassius is his selfish want for omnipotent power, along with his animosity towards Caesar. The conspirators convince Brutus that Caesar wants to be king. Thus, calling into question the basics and morals of the Republic. To quote the play, Caesar is `a serpent’s egg` (Shakespeare 2.1.32) and so the conspirators must “kill him in the shell.” (Shakespeare 2.1.34) This point is also available in the view of the Republic itself. Brutus feels he needs to defend the Republic, because no other citizen or nobleman can do so. Brutus shows his condolences in his speech at Caesar’s funeral, “If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (Shakespeare 3.2.19-24) Brutus finds himself having to defend his actions to the citizens of the Republic in order to come to terms with his own…
