FREE ESSAY ON SHAKESPEARE`S JULIUS CAESAR

SHAKESPEARE`S JULIUS CAESAR

In literature, characters are often unrealistic, and rarely do they portray those special
features that make them human. William Shakespeare was one of the few able to create
characters with truly human features .His talent for doing this is clearly illus
trated in one of his most well known plays,*+#* Julius Caesar*-#*. This is the
fascinating story based on true history of the birth of the Roman Empire, beginning with
the brutal assassination of their leader, Julius Caesar. Three of the characters show th
e human traits of being three-dimensional and dynamic, Anthony, Caesar's loyal companion;
Cassius, one of the conspirators; and Caesar himself.
*:s**:S+-2**:#3408,9360* Mark Anthony, Caesar's loyal companion and bodyguard, has a
completely diversified personality. In one way, he is truly grieved by the death of his
close friend but on the other hand he is shrewd and cunning and takes advantage of
Caesar's death. He revea
ls his shrewd and cunning personality while he is giving his speech at Caesar's funeral.
He used many tactics to get the people to side with him. Sarcasm, irony, reverse
psychology, audiovisual affects, and tears are employed in order to persuade the Plebei
ans that Caesar's assassination was wrong and his death must be avenged by killing the
conspirators. Deep in his heart, he feels grief and pain even though he does take
advantage of Caesar's death.
*:S+-2**:#4686,9360* Cassius, one of the main conspirators involved in Caesar's death is
also a multifaceted person, although not as much as Anthony. He had more common sense
than the other conspirators, but the rest of them did not appreciate his words of wisdom.
He is emoti
onal, yet aggressive, jealous, hot tempered, impulsive, petulant, and an instigator. He
also shows a degree of shrewdness when he approaches Brutus to suggest his plan of
assassinating Caesar. He flattered Brutus by telling him how wonderful he is, and how 
great a leader he is. He was anxious to involve Brutus in the conspiracy because he knew
Brutus was a respected member of society and people would listen to him, and he was
curious to know what had happened. He also shows a degree of being cowardly. Many 
times he knew he was right in his plans, but he didn't have the courage to persist in
them. For example, when he said not to let Anthony speak at the funeral.
*:S+-2**:#4686,9360* Finally, Caesar himself, all the way on top of the Roman empire at
its peak, had a few interesting aspects in his character that must not be ignored. He was
conniving, politically smart, charismatic, vacillatious, and arrogant. As an outer-self
he tried to
appear perfect, defending himself against any bad omens that came across to Calpurnia,
his wife, the soothsayer, or the augurer. When Anthony first offered him the crown the,
and the soothsayer warned him to beware of the Ides of March, the 15th day of the
month, he pushed him away not wanting to appear vulnerable in public. However, once we
see him as his private self, at home with his wife, we see how truly vulnerable he is. As
his wife warns him not to go out, he tries to redefine the omens as good signs.
He's not sure if he believes himself and his defense weakens. When the conspirators come
to get him, their agreement with him bolsters his ego and he decides to go. This shows
how much the public opinion meant to him.
*:s**:S+-2**:#426,9360* 
*:S+-2**:#1278,9360* In conclusion, Shakespeare truly was an expert at portraying human
traits, and all his characters are multifaceted, three-dimensional, and dynamic. He has
set an example for future writers to come.