With Power Comes Death (The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare Analysis)

Julius Caesar was a Roman general who disobeyed the senators orders and whose opinion of himself led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and a murder. Shakespeare was one of the greatest and more popular playwright, poet, and actor in the early years of the world. Many to this day still consider him to be one of the best writers in the English language. One of Shakespeare's more popular plays, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, explains how a man so arrogant with so much love and support behind him, led to his own death. Caesar’s arrogance led others to turn to corruption, murder, and betrayal.

In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, many forms of corruption erupted due to the amount of power Caesar held. In the play, Cassius describes why Caesar is unfit to rule the Republic by saying, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves” (1.2.135-138). Julius Caesar’s reign became corrupt because he held so much power. The senators became defensive because they thought the actions and decisions he would make would eventually lead to an undermindment of the Roman republic. They felt he wasn’t as brave as what others believed and that he thought too highly of himself. The Roman senators were angered by the love and support Caesar received. They claimed his disobeyment and arrogance would negatively impact the Republic. They did not handle the situation to the best of their ability, instead they went against Caesar because the politicians wanted him gone, out of the most powerful political position; That’s just what they did. 

The murder of Julius Caesar occurred due to the conspiring acts of the senate members; They believed his power was too great and they wanted to take it all away from him. The killing of Caesar is demonstrated by the play stating, “They stab Caesar. Casca, the others in turn, then Brutus” (3.1). The actions and decisions of Caesar led to his assassination. He was warned on multiple occasions to watch his back, but he refused to listen. His conceited attitude and fondness of himself was what the senators saw in him. They thought Rome would be better off without Caesar, because he would be too self-absorbed and focused on himself to do better for the Republic. 

Betrayal is a common theme in stories, plays, movies, etc. as there are many examples of this throughout this tragedy. When conspiring to kill Caesar, his friend Brutus explains his decision in participating of the murder,  “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crowned. How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with” (2.1.10-17). As Caesar falls to his death, he sees Brutus was the last to turn against him and kill him. Brutus was supposed to be in support of his “best friend” and stick with Caesar throughout his whole reign and decisions. Brutus is manipulated into believing that Caesar is bad for the Republic and that he will destroy it. He had a stronger loyalty to the country and its people than he did his own friend. Brutus, along with the other conspirators, had betrayed their leader, while trying to turn the Roman people against him in the process. 

The conspirators believed that Caesar’s decisions would negatively affect the Republic, but just because they thought this would happen does not mean that it would happen. As you read the play, Cassius explains why Caesar is unfit to be the king, however  they do not consider the possibility of what could happen if he got to be crowned, instead they think about what negative outcomes could come out of it. The senators did what they thought was right without seeing the facts. They thought he would be a selfish, arrogant, self-centered leader who did not have the public interest in mind. Instead of waiting to see what Caesar would do and what he could possibly accomplish throughout his time as the leader, they killed him off, no warning and certainly without thinking. They acted without thinking about what a potentially great leader he could be for the sake of the people. Many knew of Julius Caesar as a brave, intelligent, and motivated leader, but now the Republic will never know.

Those who happened to be friends or ruled with Caesar turned to corruption, murder, and betrayal to deal with his arrogance. The senators believed his decisions would ruin the Republic due to his big ego and the pride he held in himself. They were trying to save the people from the harsh conditions that they believed Caesar would have put them through. Without analysing all the facts and seeing what the future held for the Republic and Caesar’s journey to lead it, the senators took his life from him. Those that happened to be close to Caesar involved in the crime, did absolutely nothing to warn him or stop his death; They believed he would do terrible things under his authority.