Julius Caesar is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around 1599. Julius Caesar can be categorized as historical fiction, modernized to fit in with the time period. Julius Caesar is set in ancient Rome, at the time of Julius Ceasar’s rule. Julius Ceasar was betrayed and murdered by his closest friends and political allies. Julius Caesar is based off true events that occurred during Julius Ceasar’s lifetime which makes it semi-autobiographical or biographical fiction.
Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays due to its popularity in pop culture phenomenon through movies, television shows , etc… The play includes many quotes that are widely used like “Et tu Brute” (even you Brutus) when Julius Ceasar utters this phrase upon his death Julius Ceasar says “me alone”. Julius Ceasar is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Julius Ceasar was probably written sometime around 1599 or early 1600s.
Julius Caesar was a complex character with many contradictions. Julius Caesar is thought of as the main antagonist in Julius Caesar, but he also has some admirable qualities Julius Caesar’s own motives for his actions are not clear and they change throughout Julius Caesar.
Julius Caesar was loyal to his friends and would do anything for them, but Julius Caesar also used his friends for Julius Caesar’s own personal gain. Julius Caesar’s dutiful nature led Julius Caesar to express Julius Caesar’s great love of Julius Caesar’s people, but Julius Caesar was not above putting Julius Caesar’s own needs before those of Julius Caesar’s people.
Julius Caesar is the key player in the events leading up to Julius Caesar’s assassination, but Augustus is actually responsible for killing Julius Caesar and allowing Mark Antony to seize power.
These contradictions continue through Julius Caeser’s words throughout the play. Julius Caesar shows respect for both sides during Julius Caesar’s debate with Brutus about whether or not to kill Julius Ceaser, but then Julius Ceasar denounces Cassius in Julius Ceasar’s next breath. Julius Caesar can be ruthless when Julius Caesar needs to be, but Julius Caesar also seems to take Julius Caesar’s own life rather than force the conspirators to kill Julius Ceaser themselves.
The play Julius Caesar is not the simple tragedy that it might seem. Julius Ceasar presents many different themes and messages that are relevant today as they were in Shakespeare’s time.
William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is mainly based on the assassination of Julius Caesar. The character who was in charge of the assassination was ironically, Marcus Brutus, a servant and close friend to Julius Caesar. After examining Brutus’ relationship to Caesar, his involvement in the conspiracy, and his importance to the plot, the truth can be revealed. Julius Caesar’s assassination was inevitable because Julius Caesar was so deeply involved in the political side of Rome. Julius Caesar had to die for better or worse, to have a stable government.
Julius Caesar had to die by the hands of his friend Marcus Brutus. Julius Caesar’s relationship with Brutus is important to Julius’ death because it is what caused Marcus Brutus to join the conspiracy against Julius; however, he joined because he thinks that Julius would turn into an evil ruler like the other rulers that ruled Rome before Julius came along and changed everything. Another reason that Julius needed to die was for the future generations of Rome. If Julius hadn’t died by now, there could be proof that Julius may become a tyrant and Julius would want to stay in power forever.
Julius Caesar’s death was inevitable but Julius’ relationship with Brutus is important because it is what caused Marcus Brutus to join the conspiracy against Julius; however, he joined because he thinks that Julius would turn into an evil ruler like the other rulers that ruled Rome before Julius came along and changed everything The play opens on a street in Rome: Casca describes the events of “the Lupercal,” wherein Caesar ran naked through the streets and had his dog bit him as part of a ceremony, while Cassius accuses Cicero of not having perfect faith in their plan.
Calphurnia, Caesar’s wife, argues with her husband about his impending trip to the Senate because she had nightmares the night before. Julius Caesar reassures her that he will not go, but Decius Brutus, Caesar’s close friend, convinces Julius to go after all. When Julius leaves, Cassius attempts to convince the other conspirators to kill him while they have the chance. Julius returns and tells Antony about his wife’s dreams of his murder in the Senate. Julius says that he heard shouting on the day of Pompey’s murder, right before he lost his prized pearl in Lake Lucrinus.
He also remembers seeing a lion on this street before, signifying that it is dangerous for Julius even here (on the street where Julius was assassinated). They are interrupted by Artemidorus who gives Julius a letter warning Julius about the plot to kill him. Julius gives it to Calphurnia, but when she reads it Calphurnia puts the letter in her bosom so that Julius will not know of his impending death even if he gets killed. Calphurnia tells Julius Caesar not to go to the Senate because she had a nightmare in which Julius Caesar was murdered in the Senate by his friend Brutus.
She also has one of her slaves tell Julius that they saw bad omens on their walk; for example, they saw an African with burnt hair holding a blood-drenched handkerchief and pointing at Julius Caesar’s statue (with his blood). After this Julius Caesar decides not to go to the Theatrum Pompeium (because he sees evil omens) and instead goes to the Palatium. Decius Brutus is afraid Julius Caesar will go see Marc Antony so he decides not to join Julius but instead goes to stop him.
Calphurnia fears Julius Caesar might be hurt, so she says Julius should stay home that day. Julius agrees with her, but Decius comes in and thinks Julius should go into the senate because it was just a dream. At first Julius said no, but Relius came in and told Julius what Calphurnia said about all of the bad omens they saw earlier. So Julius stayed home only for Antony to send word saying that the Senate wants to see him (Julius). When Julius decided to go, Julius forgot the letter from Artemidorus.
Julius gave the message to Calphurnia then Julius Caesar went out into battle and Brillus stopped Julius from going because he believed it would be a trap. Julius was mad at him but Decius told Julius that it would be alright. A famous line from this scene is “Beware the ides of March! ” which means beware of the day of March 15th. This line is used multiple times throughout the play as a warning of what will come. In this scene, Cassius uses this phrase as a way to tell Casca that his plan to kill Julius Caesar will happen on that day.
Marcus Brutus gets mad at both men for using such a morbid phrase in such a lighthearted conversation. Julius Caesar is about to leave, and Julius tells Calphurnia that he will go out into battle with the men. He is reminded of his dream, and decides not to go in order to keep peace at home. Julius sends word to the senate asking them not to worry about him coming in, but Decius comes in and convinces Julius that he must go into battle. While Julius leaves, Artemidorus gives Julius a letter warning him about his death.
