Ongoing human concerns relates to universal ideas associated with human condition. These can be explored further by studying both texts and considering the context they were written in. Shakespeare 's 1599 play, 'Julius Caesar ' follows the titular character 's death and the civil war that followed his demise. While, 'The Prince, ' deals with the end justifying the means and how power can be both achieved and preserved. Both texts offer varying perspective on ongoing human concerns such as; personal morality, leadership, and fate vs free will.
Personal morality, and a strong sense of loyalty, plays a prominent role in both texts. In 'Julius Caesar, ' much of the plays tragedy stems from character 's neglect of private feelings and loyalties …show more content…
The character who struggles with personal morality in the play is Brutus, one of Caesar 's greatest friends and a strong supporter of a government guided by the votes of the senators. Brutus wrestles with his love for Caesar and his honourable concern for Rome. He fears Caesar 's ambition as shown in the quote, " I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king," which ultimately sees him side with the conspirators to plot Caesar 's death. Shakespeare uses the device of the soliloquy to allow for the audience to gain a greater insight into Brutus 's thinking. In Act 2, Brutus speaks a series of four soliloquies beginning with, "It must be by his death." Shakespeare places greater focus on Brutus than other characters as it is him who carriers the play 's central dilemma, do you kill someone you love for the good of the nation? The line, "poor Brutus with himself at war" serves as a metaphor for his inner turmoil surrounding this decision. The 'end justifies the means ' is the expression most associated with 'The Prince. ' This idea is that any means or tactics are justified in …show more content…
At the time of writing 'Julius Caesar, ' Shakespeare would have known of the reputation of 'The Prince ' and the idea of the immoral 'Machiavel ', the mythical figure who would stop at nothing to gain his ends. This and his admiration of Cesare Borgia, a name associated with betrayal and murder, led to the general dislike of Machiavelli. The character in 'Julius Caesar ' who best represents this characterisation is Mark Antony, Caesar 's right hand man. In Acts II and III, following Caesar 's death, he manages to keep on the good side of Brutus up to the chaotic ending of the funeral orations. During the oration, Antony uses pathos to appeal to the emotions of the audience, dramatic irony when he states, "I come to praise Caesar not bury him," and the continued repetition of the word 'honourable ' undermines what Brutus said earlier and successfully twists the audience 's mind to turn on the conspirators. In the end, Antony, along with Octavius and Lepidus, gains the supreme position of power in Rome, employing the Machiavellian strategy of "looking out for number one" in order to gain it. Through the use of metaphor, and drawing examples from history, Machiavelli outlines how a prince must have characteristics of both lion and fox. "The lion can 't defend itself against snares and the fox can 't defend itself from wolves." Julius Caesar displays characteristics of a fox, through his great
Personal morality, and a strong sense of loyalty, plays a prominent role in both texts. In 'Julius Caesar, ' much of the plays tragedy stems from character 's neglect of private feelings and loyalties …show more content…
The character who struggles with personal morality in the play is Brutus, one of Caesar 's greatest friends and a strong supporter of a government guided by the votes of the senators. Brutus wrestles with his love for Caesar and his honourable concern for Rome. He fears Caesar 's ambition as shown in the quote, " I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king," which ultimately sees him side with the conspirators to plot Caesar 's death. Shakespeare uses the device of the soliloquy to allow for the audience to gain a greater insight into Brutus 's thinking. In Act 2, Brutus speaks a series of four soliloquies beginning with, "It must be by his death." Shakespeare places greater focus on Brutus than other characters as it is him who carriers the play 's central dilemma, do you kill someone you love for the good of the nation? The line, "poor Brutus with himself at war" serves as a metaphor for his inner turmoil surrounding this decision. The 'end justifies the means ' is the expression most associated with 'The Prince. ' This idea is that any means or tactics are justified in …show more content…
At the time of writing 'Julius Caesar, ' Shakespeare would have known of the reputation of 'The Prince ' and the idea of the immoral 'Machiavel ', the mythical figure who would stop at nothing to gain his ends. This and his admiration of Cesare Borgia, a name associated with betrayal and murder, led to the general dislike of Machiavelli. The character in 'Julius Caesar ' who best represents this characterisation is Mark Antony, Caesar 's right hand man. In Acts II and III, following Caesar 's death, he manages to keep on the good side of Brutus up to the chaotic ending of the funeral orations. During the oration, Antony uses pathos to appeal to the emotions of the audience, dramatic irony when he states, "I come to praise Caesar not bury him," and the continued repetition of the word 'honourable ' undermines what Brutus said earlier and successfully twists the audience 's mind to turn on the conspirators. In the end, Antony, along with Octavius and Lepidus, gains the supreme position of power in Rome, employing the Machiavellian strategy of "looking out for number one" in order to gain it. Through the use of metaphor, and drawing examples from history, Machiavelli outlines how a prince must have characteristics of both lion and fox. "The lion can 't defend itself against snares and the fox can 't defend itself from wolves." Julius Caesar displays characteristics of a fox, through his great