Julius Caesar
The works of William Shakespeare are nothing less than historical. With the works of Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare has done nothing but kept his audience on the edge of their seats wanting more. Shakespeare, though a prestigious writer in his own right, had to be influenced by those writers whom he himself thought was great. From great classical authors like Ovid and Seneca, to English historians like Holinshed, Shakespeare's greatest influences were the works of writers who he admired and looked upon as true writers. But to be in such esteem Shakespeare had to have had great writings that were revered around the world as the best. One of his great writings, Julius Caesar, has been influential to many writers. One of most famous quotes derived from this play, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him". - (Act III, Scene II). This is why Shakespeares is best known for his tragedies.
Shakespeares tragedies are amongst the best when it comes to English works of literature. The dreary settings and deceptive plots are what lead the masses of spectators in to view his plays. His works have been passed down through the ages to younger individuals in order to influence them on English literature. His works are never ending having been said,
He was not of an age, but for all time! Ben Jonson Quote (1573 - 1637). I myself feel that Julius Caesar was one of Shakespeares greatest works.
Julius Caesar was the play of the fall of Julius Caesar. It showed how deceptive and maniacal his companions turned out to be when enraged with jealousy. That jealousy soon turned to rage which led to the death of Caesar, one of the conspirators being Brutus, his closest friend. The story is full of despair and heartache, which made this play such a great tragedy. He was able to plug in every element used that makes a great tragedy, making the audience beg for more of the greatest playwrights work. Throughout the story, Shakespeare leads us into the world of the Roman empire created by Caesar which will soon crumble upon his death.
Caesar is the embodiment of the Roman empire in the opening scenes of Act 1. His people hold him dear to his heart, so much so that some people held him in such esteem that they thought he was a god. Though the people feel as though their emperor is invincible, there are those who know the mighty Caesar is just a mere mortal. Beware the ides of March. ,(Soothsayer, Act 1 scene 2), is the beginning of how the tragedy unfolds. Shakespeare found a way to turn such a little phrase into the biggest part of the play, for everything unfolds in March. As the act goes on you find out how Caesar comrades fall into a deceptive companionship to murder him.
After the conversing with one another, the conspirators(Brutus, Cassius, and Casca) have made an alliance and thicken their plot to murder Caesar. Shakespeare draws the audience deeper and deeper into his plays with his choices of murders, whom are some of Caesar most adored companions. Brutus, closest of any of Caesars comrades, is having the most difficult time with the choice of murdering his dear friend Caesar. He is held in the highest regard by Caesar and feels as though he should not kill him. Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar(Act III, Scene I) shows how distraught Caesar was when he saw dear Brutus give him his final stab in front of the Senate. Shakespeare made this a climatic mid point in the play which leads into the final parts of the play.
Following the death of Caesar is the despair and turmoil the engulfs Rome with his passing. As if Shakespeare was there, he describes Rome in such in depth detail which is what intrigued me so. With Caesars death comes the rise of power of the conspirators.
Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
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. (3.2. 13-24)
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