Happiness In Julius Caesar Essay

Improved Essays
Julius Caesar may have been the biggest gambler in history when he started the Roman civil war, however we could find the key to happiness from his coup d’état. Led by Caesar, the Roman civil war was one of the biggest turning points in Roman history. The affair was established when Caesar was intent on gaining political power and becoming a member of the Roman government. He was able to gain the interest of the public through careful planning which produced an alliance with Pompey and Crassus. After Caesar gained political power, he left Rome to conquer Gaul, in his absence, his daughter (married to Pompey) died during childbirth, and Crassus was killed in battle. Moreover, Rome was in a state of civil unrest. From the imminent threat of a …show more content…
For some it could mean a simple gesture of gratitude from a loved one, but for others it could signify travelling around the world. However, we can all learn to stop placing contentment on the other side of the fence, we can choose to relish the present and notice where we are standing in the journey. We are all mortal and we will all die, and when we do, we will not be able to take what we have accomplished with us in death. Everyone will regret something when death encroaches upon them, but if we take a gamble we will regret less and remember our lives as a meaningful one. Moreover, our lives do not need to be filled with accomplishments, but it should always be filled with journeys where we can cherish our experiences and the modest accomplishments made throughout. Faced with two choices, Caesar could choose to surrender like a coward, or die without regrets in battle. Despite charging into certain death, he chose to proceed, parlaying his life in favour of relishing the moment and abandoning the future. In all, our society should learn from Julius Caesar, parlay our lives, relish the moment and only when we take a leap of faith can we receive great fortunes much like Caesars’ attainment of

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The outbreak of the civil war in 49 BC, was effectively, caused by Julius Caesar. Due to his decision to cross the Rubicon, thus invading Italy. However, some scholars may argue that Caesar had no intention to start a civil war nor had a choice, but was goaded by Pompey and the Optimates into it. Therefore, does the responsibility lie with them?…

    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Caesar was also a general and had many victories against the people of Gaul. He also won the civil between him and his rival Pompey who was murdered by the pharaoh Ptolemy. On March 15, 44 B.C he was stabbed to death which led to 13 years of civil war in Rome.…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Antony, in his eulogy, presented himself as filled with grief and loss; however, a form of subliminal persuasion and manipulation is used to sway the Roman people in his favor. The loyal friend of Caesar appeared to be supportive of the conspirators, but his devotion to the true king never wavered. While he praised the conspirators for being “such honorable men”, Antony admitted how he grieved for his friend. He utilized paralipsis in his cajolery, stating that “I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, / But here I am to speak what I do know.”…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    “There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in the shallows and in miseries. (4.3 220-230) This quote sheds advice that has stood the test of time, giving hope to the characters as they faced war and in lands far away, inspiring those that need hope. This quote lends one of the oldest pieces of advice, missed opportunities lead to heartache. Within Julius Caesar, the characters are on the brink of war after the death of their beloved emperor, Julius Caesar.…

    • 1093 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    A hero often displays a tragic flaw, a characteristic that brings about a downfall. A tragic hero is a person usually of noble birth, who suffers catastrophe. In the play,” The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” very much like other tragedies, this play had much suspense with the characters especially Brutus, and Cassius. Brutus contrasts very well with Cassius in this play. Cassius wanted to kill Caesar so he can gain the power which was for his own personal gain.…

    • 296 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pathos In Julius Caesar

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The historical play, “Julius Caesar”, by William Shakespeare illustrates the problems of leadership that commence after the assassination of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar. The play has a thorough use of rhetorical devices and was a powerful persuasion tool during the whole of the show. This literary device is extensively used during the funeral scene in Act three, Scene two where Marcus Brutus and Mark Antony give their speeches about Caesar's death. In their funeral speeches, while Marcus Brutus delivered a logical speech, Mark Antony overall wins the crowd through his use of ethics and empathy. Antony’s speech left such a lasting impact due his skillful use of Pathos.…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Julius Caesar was brutally murdered by conspirators who apprised his beliefs. Mark Anthony was Julius Caesar's confidante and friend, so it's absurd to think he wouldn't do anything avenge his comrades death. Marc Anthony concocted a well thought out presentation to turn the citizens of Rome against the conspirators. The first step to Anthony's master plan is gaining Brutus and Cassius's trust. Marc Anthony sent his servant to assure Brutus that he loved Caesar but his allegiance lies with the conspirators.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After close examination it is clear to see that Antony's use of Ethos, Pathos, and logos is far more persuasive than Brutus argument. Anthony's words strike the word of Brutos. At the beginning of Brutus's speech, he instantly uses ethos by telling the people to remember his honor, which is effective and catches the audience's attention. He remind the audience of his wisdom so they will more easily believe him.…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The view of happiness as well as the role that pleasures and desires play in achieving happiness can be seen throughout Western philosophy. Detailing a hypothetical dinner conversation between Aristotle, Epicurus, Hobbes, and Epictetus, will such an understanding be described. In such an account, I will be detailing: what issue/s each guest would raise; what thesis would each defend, and how each would respond to the other; as well as who is most likely to disagree with whom and on which points, and who, on the other hand, might find allies or sympathizers. Each philosopher defines/views happiness differently. Aristotle defines happiness as an activity of the soul in accordance to virtue and reason.…

    • 1449 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Julius Caesar Selfish

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Caesar shows that he is a good leader because of his love for Rome. Caesar’s love for Rome is shown in Act III, scene ii, lines 86 and 87, when Antony says that Caesar brought many captives back to Rome. A selfish leader would have kept these captives and sold them into slavery, making a fortune for himself. Caesar gave these…

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Herding sheep has been an art for thousands years and over time a person can train one of his dogs to do this. In the Tragedy of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare has used this art and used the people as a herd of sheep, being swayed one side to another. The play takes place in Ancient Rome when Julius Caesar came to power by murdering one of his adversaries Pompey. During this time the people were in rejoice that Julius had killed Pompey, but some were in discouraged about the fact that people have change so easily. Further on in the play a group of conspirators who want to kill Caesar decided that even though Julius is not a tyrant now, but in time he will become a corrupt tyrant.…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The ethical theories of both Aristotle and Epictetus, laid out in their books the Nicomachean Ethics and the Enchiridion, respectively, offer humanity insight into the most effective ways to achieve happiness and to exhibit virtue. Aristotle’s approach to happiness is that it must be looked at as the end to a means not as a means to an end. He feels that happiness should be viewed as the highest good within life. Although Epictetus agrees that happiness is the highest attainable good, he believes that the source of humanity’s misery is people’s inability to differentiate between what they can control and what they cannot. While both philosopher’s theories emphasize the importance of happiness and virtue in a person’s life, Epictetus’ view…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The acclaimed play written by William Shakespeare,The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, should go by another name, The Tragedy of Brutus. Brutus is the main character and hidden protagonist, he is a senate member scarred by Ceaser rising so quickly to kingdom. After being mislead by many friends he decides to assist in the murder of Julius Caesar. The noble Brutus is truly the only protagonist in the play, he should be the center of the play in the stead of the short lived and arrogant Julius Caesar.…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Julius Caesar manipulated and bribed his way to gaining political power, specifically the consul of Rome by 59 BC, by becoming popular among the people. He was named governor of Gaul and became a threat to the Senate and Pompey who had already held power in Rome. Caesar became an enemy of the state and made an act of war by deciding to cross the Rubicon river confronting Pompey, a turning point that was the start of a civil war. The sources Suetonius’ “The Deified Julius Caesar” in Lives of the Caesars, Plutarch’s “Caesar” in Roman Lives, and Julius Caesar’s The Civil War each tell of Julius Caesar’s Civil War describing his political manipulation and rise to power involving the famous crossing of the Rubicon.…

    • 1331 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    1. What, according to Aristotle, is the relationship between happiness and virtue? Working to possess and exercise virtue is essential to achieve the highest degree of happiness. Virtuousness is a unique element of happiness in the sense that we can work to control it through our own habituation. This can be compared to the plethora of components that our disposition creates a predetermined outcome for, including the external and physical goods we desire. Aristotle expands on this idea, stating that when happiness, “...comes as a result of virtue and some process of learning or training, [it is] among the most god-like things; for that which is the prize and end of virtue seems to be the best thing in the world, and something godlike and blessed” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 947).…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays