Throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s usage of central ideas develops a suspenseful theme in the play. In the midst of turmoil between the tribunes and Caesar, Shakespeare made Caesar’s death a “sacrifice” rather than a “butchery”. The first three acts of the play portray the relationship between Caesar and those who conspire against him. Amongst the conspirators, Caesar is seen as a tyrant over the people of Rome. In the first act of the play, Caesar’s interaction with the commoners suggest that although he is not crowned king, he believes he can remain in power over others. An example would be the interaction between the soothsayer and Caesar. Caesar starts with: “What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again.” (Act 1.2,
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With Brutus on Cassius’ side, they begin to plot the assassination. Brutus mentions that: “Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood.” (Act 2.1, lines 179-181), which implies that Caesar’s assassination will serve as a sacrifice and purge Rome. Brutus supports this claim by stating: “This shall make Our purpose necessary and not envious; Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be called purgers, not murders.” (Act 2.1, lines 190-194) What Brutus is implying here is that the death of Caesar would be a noble act rather than a …show more content…
Prior to Caesar’s arrival to the Senate, Shakespeare introduces the relationship between Caesar and his wife Calphurnia. Similar with his conversation with the soothsayer, Caesar appears to ignore Calphurnia’s warning as she had received the letter from Artemidorus, warning Caesar about the conspirators (Act 2.3, lines 1-10). Upon Caesar’s assassination, Shakespeare had Caesar ask a series of questions as he was clueless about the conspirator’s actions and his inevitable death. As Brutus, who Caesar placed all his trust and respect upon him, was also a conspirator, Caesar’s last words: “Et tu, Brute?” (Act 3.1, line 85) add to Caesar’s cluelessness before his death. After his death, Brutus adds: “And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry ‘Peace, freedom, and liberty!’” (Act 3.1, lines 121-122), which supports the conspirator’s plot in purging Rome. Shakespeare created Caesar’s character as a tyrannical and powerful figure over the people of Rome. Cassius describes Caesar “… not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans are but sheep…” (Act 1.3, lines 108-109) and “Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves.” (Act 1.2, lines 143-145). Although Caesar was oblivious about the conspirators and his death, his assassination proved to be a sacrifice to the people of Rome rather than a
With Brutus on Cassius’ side, they begin to plot the assassination. Brutus mentions that: “Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood.” (Act 2.1, lines 179-181), which implies that Caesar’s assassination will serve as a sacrifice and purge Rome. Brutus supports this claim by stating: “This shall make Our purpose necessary and not envious; Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be called purgers, not murders.” (Act 2.1, lines 190-194) What Brutus is implying here is that the death of Caesar would be a noble act rather than a …show more content…
Prior to Caesar’s arrival to the Senate, Shakespeare introduces the relationship between Caesar and his wife Calphurnia. Similar with his conversation with the soothsayer, Caesar appears to ignore Calphurnia’s warning as she had received the letter from Artemidorus, warning Caesar about the conspirators (Act 2.3, lines 1-10). Upon Caesar’s assassination, Shakespeare had Caesar ask a series of questions as he was clueless about the conspirator’s actions and his inevitable death. As Brutus, who Caesar placed all his trust and respect upon him, was also a conspirator, Caesar’s last words: “Et tu, Brute?” (Act 3.1, line 85) add to Caesar’s cluelessness before his death. After his death, Brutus adds: “And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry ‘Peace, freedom, and liberty!’” (Act 3.1, lines 121-122), which supports the conspirator’s plot in purging Rome. Shakespeare created Caesar’s character as a tyrannical and powerful figure over the people of Rome. Cassius describes Caesar “… not be a wolf, But that he sees the Romans are but sheep…” (Act 1.3, lines 108-109) and “Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves.” (Act 1.2, lines 143-145). Although Caesar was oblivious about the conspirators and his death, his assassination proved to be a sacrifice to the people of Rome rather than a