Julius Caesar's Weakness Essay

Julius Caesar Essay

Caesars weaknesses

According to Webster dictionary being weak is being deficient in mental power, intelligence, or judgement. Without Caesar the Roman Empire wouldnt be what it was aspired to be. Throughout the play Caesar was physically weak, arrogant, and gullible which is why Shakespeare developed Caesar as a weak character.

Caesar isnt always as great as he puts himself out to be. To begin with, Caesar was deaf in one ear. His fellow Romans had to speak to him on the right side of his body as he couldnt hear out of his left ear. On the other hand, Caesar failed to be able to swim, as Cassius had to save him from drowning. Caesar cried, Help me, Cassius or I do sink (I, 2,115) Finally, Caesar had a disease known as falling sickness as Casca proclaimed. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. (I, 2, 251) Throughout the play Caesar thought too highly of himself, but in reality he didnt get special treatment because he was a worthy person, he needed help and had diseases just like anyone else.

Caesar didnt let anyone tell him what to do and wouldnt listen to anyone. Firstly, when Caesar came back to Rome, a soothsayer comes out of the crowd and cautions Caesar. Beware the Ides of March (I, 2, 16) Secondly, Caesars wife Calpurnia had a bad dream and tried to convince Caesar not go to the capital. In ranks and squadrons and right for of air which drizzled blood upon the capital... (II, 2, 20). Lastly Caesar couldnt take a little criticism from people who didnt want him to be king, so he had Marullus and Flavius arrested for remarking the Romans on how quickly they forgot about Pompey, Caesars rival in which he defeated in 48 B.C. People need a little criticism in life to improve, but in Caesars mind, his way is always right.

Caesar believed that there are people who can be trusted or that not all people are out to take advantage of one another. First of all, Caesar looked at Brutus as a good friend and thought highly of him, but in the end he was part of the conspirators and killed Caesar to gain his power. Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more. (III, 2, 22-23) Furthermore, Decius took advantage of Caesar and flattered Caesar on his vanity, and convinced him that Culpurnias dream was misinterpreted to get him to go to the capital. This dream is all amiss interpreted; It was a vision fair and fortunate... (II, 2, 82-83) Finally Caesar believed in dreams and believed all of his friends, but they all turned on him and convinced him to go to the capital where he was killed so Brutus could take over power of the town. People will believe anything they want to hear but in Caesars case it wasnt all for his advantage.

Without Caesar the Roman Empire wouldnt be what it was aspired to be. In conclusion Shakespeare had every reason to develop Julius Caesar as a weak character. He was arrogant to the people that mattered most, he thought greatly of himself, and he believed anything he wanted to hear. Caesar had many weaknesses but, he did a lot for his people and he cared about them.