“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Acton uses this quote to get the point that power corrupts whoever posses it, resulting in loss of power. In Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, there were a numerous amount of themes. Two themes that stood out the most are how easily people can be swayed by a speaker's words, and the people who obtain power tend to corrupt. In Julius Caesar, a persuasive speaker could easily change the minds of crowds and other people. This happened often throughout the play. The first example of this theme occurred at the beginning of Act One when Marullus had a conversation with the commoners of Rome. “We make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph” (1.1.30-31). A commoner told this to Marullus, and
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Marullus responded with “To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. And when you saw his chariot but appear have you not made an universal shout” (1.1.42-44). Marullus was angry because the commoners changed their minds so quickly. First they were cheering for Pompey, and now Caesar. Another example of this theme was when Cassius swayed Brutus into joining the conspiracy. Cassius told Brutus he should be Caesar because Caesar is weak. Cassius mentioned Caesar can not swim, he has epilepsy, he is deaf in one ear, and killing him would be for the better of Rome (1.2.100-120). By convincing Brutus the bad qualities of Caesar, Brutus caved in and agreed to join the conspiracy. Also, the part in the play when Portia convinced Brutus to tell her his plan and what is happening, is another example of this theme. “Think you I am no stronger than my sex, being so fathered and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose’em. I have made strong proof of my consistency, giving myself a voluntary wound here in my thigh” (2.1.296-302). Here, Portia told Brutus he needs to tell her what is going on, she even stabbed herself in the thigh to prove her strength. By the end of her speech
Marullus responded with “To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. And when you saw his chariot but appear have you not made an universal shout” (1.1.42-44). Marullus was angry because the commoners changed their minds so quickly. First they were cheering for Pompey, and now Caesar. Another example of this theme was when Cassius swayed Brutus into joining the conspiracy. Cassius told Brutus he should be Caesar because Caesar is weak. Cassius mentioned Caesar can not swim, he has epilepsy, he is deaf in one ear, and killing him would be for the better of Rome (1.2.100-120). By convincing Brutus the bad qualities of Caesar, Brutus caved in and agreed to join the conspiracy. Also, the part in the play when Portia convinced Brutus to tell her his plan and what is happening, is another example of this theme. “Think you I am no stronger than my sex, being so fathered and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose’em. I have made strong proof of my consistency, giving myself a voluntary wound here in my thigh” (2.1.296-302). Here, Portia told Brutus he needs to tell her what is going on, she even stabbed herself in the thigh to prove her strength. By the end of her speech