Power In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Abraham Lincoln once proclaimed “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” One important term in Lincoln’s statement is stand, which means to endure a test without being effected. Another significant part of Lincoln’s statement is the word test, which means to exhibit one’s capabilities by putting them under strain. In entirety, Lincoln is saying that in order to see one’s true personality and limits, give them power. Moreover, in his statement, Lincoln insinuates that when one is presented with power they often change for the worse.

In Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare portrays Marcus Brutus as the tragic hero whose tragic flaws lead to him paving the way to his own downfall. The plot of Julius Caesar follows the plot structure of a typical Elizabethan drama. In the first two and a half acts Brutus's fortune rises. In the middle of the third act is the turning point of the Marcus Brutus's fortune. For the rest of the play, the tragic hero's fortune rapidly declines, as a result of mistake that Brutus made, until by the end of Act 5, Brutus commits suicide because he saw nothing left in the world for him to live for.

Many people believe that Brutus’s actions greatly affected the development of the play, Julius Caesar. They also debate on what motivated him to make those choices in contrast to what motivations Cassius had. Brutus was not correct in joining the conspiracy against Caesar, he was manipulated into joining by Cassius. His motivations were pure, while Cassius was fueled by greed and yearning for money and power. Most agree that Brutus’s motivations were very noble, which could be considered the opposite of Cassius’s.

Influence Caesar was the man that had it all. Antony was his loyal friend. Brutus was an aspiring ruler and conspirator. In the play Julius Caesar, the way one speaks is key in understanding their intent and the influence it has on people. William “Shakespeare was very skeptical about democracy in the sense of rule by the majority, or direct rule by the people” (99).

A particular character, Brutus, from a Shakespearean play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is quite intriguing. Brutus is a companion of Julius Caesar, but is quickly pulled into the conspiracy plot to kill Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, Brutus sticks to his moral ethics closely. Moreover, Brutus affirms, “For let the gods so speed me, as I love the name of honor more than I fear death” (1.2.88-89). In this quote, Brutus is saying that honor is the most important thing to him.

Honor in the world gives people a reason to fight for the things that they believe in. Throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus has had to make many tough decisions that display the great honor within him. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare's, it is made very obvious that Brutus is an honorable man. Brutus preserves his honor by taking care of Rome’s issues with good intentions and without going too far.

Generally, when people get their way with others, they do it with words, want others to agree with their point of view, give them what they want, or do what they ask. Such people make choices based on emotional appeals, and logical tricks to set themselves up as well as becoming someone else’s interest. Powerful words are used as a tool to mislead and deceive even the most intelligent men in this tragic drama of Julius Caesar. For example, Cassius is able to persuade Brutus to turn on his best friend, Caesar.

Shakespeare in his time was viewed as a historian, that is why it can be seen that his play has such a historical appeal to it. His facts for the most part, are facts, and what he fictionalizes doesn't impact that history that has already occurred. He demonstrates intimate conflicts between the characters and really brings the reader in full circle to the events of the time of the play. In William Shakespeare's the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, manipulation is used in oratory, drives wills, and is seen in specific characters as a perspective for the political and social settings of Caesar’s Rome.

Joyce Maynard once said, “ a person who deserves my loyalty receives it”. Maynard explains that a person shall earn loyalty from another individual by expressing their actions and commitment. In act one, Brutus has a choice on whether he wants to join the conspiracy or tell Caesar about the evil plan that’s bestowed upon him. In act two, he finally commits to the group and the members begin to design their strategy to assassinate Julius. Brutus did the right thing in joining the conspiracy because he’s loyal to the people of Rome, he believes that Julius will become corrupt and forget about the people, and he believes that Caesar is arrogant towards others.

Through the use of of several rhetorical devices like comparison, pathos, and figurative language, Cassius is able to twist Brutus' sense of honor and view of Caesar. In order to begin twisting Brutus' Caesar, Cassius finds the "virtue...in [Brutus]" and uses that "outward favor" to become " [Brutus'] glass"(I:ii:68-93). Cassius uses figurative language to appeal to Brutus. Cassius finds Brutus's 'virtue' and uses it in order to give Brutus a way to make sure he is doing the right thing.