Context: Although Brutus kills Caesar to protect the republic, the mob seems to desire a king.

Analysis: Aristocratic republicans like Brutus do not understand what the common people need.

Synthesis: Without social order, people will either demand authoritarian rule, or they will rule by mob violence.

3. "If the rightful ruler is deposed or killed, chaos will result"

Evidence: After the death of Caesar, mass killings take place at the hands of the Roman populace.

Context: People run amuck in the streets of Rome, the natural world makes dire portents even before the killing occurs.

Analysis: People kill out of the thrill of killing in a mob scene. The Romans are even shown killing a poet who had nothing to do with the conspiracy because of his "bad verses."

Synthesis: Once there is anarchy, people take the opportunity to glory in their baser instincts.

Ordinary people are easily swayed by effective speechmaking/charismatic people; thus they can be changed into a dangerous mob"

Evidence: The mob is easily swayed by Mark Anthony to revolt against the assassins of Caesar.

Context: Although Brutus kills Caesar to protect the republic, the mob shows itself unworthy of democracy.

Analysis: Shakespeare wrote from a nation that was ruled by a monarch, not a strong Parliament.

Synthesis: Although Shakespeare's view of Caesar and Mark Anthony are ambiguous, he could not validate republican rule.

5. "Ambitions can change a man's character so that he no longer seeks good for all mankind, but rather seeks power only for himself"

Evidence: Caesar seems like a good man, but buckles a bit once the...

"Power tends to corrupt those who have it"
Evidence: Mark Anthony becomes increasingly bloodthirsty as the play wears on.

Context: Having seen Caser assassinated, Anthony becomes more ruthless and willing to kill, versus his more mellow and generous self at the beginning of the play, who did not fear Cassius.

Analysis: Anthony has learned the lessons of power from what happened to Caesar.

Synthesis: The new Roman authoritarian government will be much crueler and oppressive than Caesar would have been, had Caesar peaceably assumed the throne and become a king.

7. "People can easily convince themselves that the end justifies the means."

Evidence: Cassius is well-known for having an 'itching palm' as a general.

Context: Cassius is not above bribery, to the disgust of Brutus, when resisting the forces of Anthony and Octavius.

Analysis: Even Cassius seems uncertain how much jealousy rather than justice motivated his murder of Caesar, as he claims to be moral when confronted by Brutus, despite his earlier underhanded activities in the play.

Synthesis: Cassius uses republican ideology to do as he pleases, and not even he clearly perceives when he is blinding himself to his real motivations.