Marcus Cato The Elder Analysis

Maximus refused to swear his loyalty to Commodus which put a target on Maximus’ back. He realizes that he should’ve taken the offer from the king of Rome earlier instead of waiting to accept because then he may of never been murdered or the people of Rome would’ve already known of the decision of the new king. Lastly, he was given a fate that was greater than when he deserved. All he ever did was serve Rome and serve the King well. He wanted to keep his family safe and also his men out during the wars they conquered

An important figure in Rome, a part of the ruling council and a great leader that was admired by all. Caesar was a man of power, a power so great that he controlled Rome with a switch of a button. A man who is blessed with this factor must not misuse it, this man viewed as kind, caring and humble to the public despite the tyrant power he has. Julius has a quality that is rare in this case, since his position does not usually acquire it, which is being observant as he watched mysterious characters' every move; therefore, being

Cassius never wanted to be below or feel less than anybody. Cassius believed that Caesar was too weak compared to him and that he was more worthy of having the power Caesar had. To make advancements in his personal agenda, Cassius manipulated several senators into thinking Julius Caesar was a threat to Rome’s

He also makes it clear that citizens should always do what is considered to be “just”. Crito, along with others, believe that Socrates would be morally wrong for not trying to escape. Crito attempts to persuade Socrates that he should escape out of prison and not doing so is “unjust” because it means he will be leaving his children behind and siding with the unjust people who have put him in jail. Socrates then proceeds to justify his reasons for not escaping by stating that it would be breaking the Laws, which he considers to be an “unjust” thing to do. Therefore, Socrates would rather abide by the Laws than go against the people and escape.

One must always have something to gain from a friendship, or loose from the lack of it. That is why Brutus killed you, to make sure that you do not grow tyrannical. You’re friendship with Brutus was of comparatively little value to his loyalty to Rome. So, Brutus betrayed you. The same way, Antony acted as if he was supporting the Roman citizens when giving Caesar’s eulogy.

He said that Caesar was offered the crown by Antony three times, but he rejected. To Cassius, someone like this shouldn’t be ruler for all of Rome and he wants Caesar to be dethroned. Because of Brutus’s honor for Rome, he would do anything to make them happy. Even if it means ruining his friendship. In the beginning of Cassius’s soliloquy, he says, “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus/If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius /He should not humor me.” (1.2.309-311).

This quote, from Brutus, means that his own thoughts and conflicts overwhelm him. In addition, his thoughts and conflicts refer to his idea that if Caesar becomes king, that he will end up harming or endangering Rome. Brutus believes killing Caesar, results to the only solution to help and protect Rome, which relates back to his conflict. Overall, Brutus’ internal conflict involves deciding to kill Caesar, or not, because he does not necessarily want to kill Caesar, but sees it as the only way to protect Rome and its people. His love for Rome and the Roman people proves greater than his love for Caesar, who he somewhat looks to as a friend.

The biggest example of being betrayed by someone who you thought was your friend is Julius Caesar but he may have overestimated his relationship with Brutus. In the beginning of the play, Brutus was faced with the big decision of staying loyal to Rome who he loved, or staying loyal to Caesar to which he had also loved. Brutus was a very weak man, in the sense that, his loyalty to his country and being persuaded by others had blinded him by seeing the true loyalty he should have embedded towards Caesar instead. The question was who did Brutus love more, and at last, he stabbed Caesar in the back figuratively and physically, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more”(Shakespeare 3.2.2). Brutus had been the final man to make the decision to kill Caesar out of the good of Rome.

Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended” (III.ii.31-34). Replying to Brutus, the crowd can only reply none, in fear of being ridiculed by their peers. No one wants to oppose these statements, because they are all Romans, and they all love their county, so they don’t. Using pathos helps Brutus manipulate his fellow Romans into believing he is doing what is best, even though its all in self

Creon proceeds to outlaw the burial of Polyneices, because he was fighting against Thebes as Eteocles was the current king (they were alternating as king of Thebes). Thus Polyneices was condemned to the shame of not receiving burial rights, this was also an insult to the gods of Ancient Greece. Antigone did not want Polyneices to suffer when he was dead, so she was keen to