Power, betrayal, and honor in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

Cassius. Cassius tells Brutus that fate does not make a man powerful, and titles like "caesar" are meaningless.

Caesar. Caesar points out that men like Cassius who are dissatisfied are more likely to cause trouble than those who are satisfied with their lot in life.

Calpurnia. Calpurnia tells Caesar that only great men will be remembered, and only great men make a mark on the world. Ordinary men die unknown and do not make a difference.

Caesar. Caesar responds to Calpurnia, pointing out the importance of courage and living life fearlessly. It is worse to live a coward than to die a hero.

Caesar. Caesar here proclaims his power as a "star" among Romans. He also claims to be a reliable leader, one who can successfully navigate his people like the North Star does.

Antony. Antony expresses regret over what has happened to Caesar and vows to revenge his murder.

Antony. Antony suggests that Brutus betrayed Caesar.

Brutus. Brutus urges Cassius to be opportunistic, and to act when the time is ripe.

9. Brutus. Speaking about the aftermath of Caesar's death, Brutus notes that even in his death Caesar makes an impact on Rome.

10. Antony. Antony refers to Brutus as the "noblest Roman of them all" because of his unyielding commitment to Rome.

Short Answers

1. Power can corrupt

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even Brutus, who feared absolute power, became corrupt. The play explores different types of power, both the type that Caesar had bestowed upon him but also military power and power gained from making political connections demonstrated by Antony and Octavius. All types of power can be potentially abused.

3. Conspirators right to kill Caesar?

The conspirators had good intentions in their scheme, as they hoped for a Rome built on Republican ideals and not on monarchic power. However, they were absolutely wrong to use murder as a method.

4. Role of superstition in the play

Superstition represents fear, a throwback to the past, and the lack of readiness of the Roman people to govern themselves based on reason. However, superstition also serves a role as dreams and intuition. Caesar would have done better to pay attention to his wife's dreams for example.

5. Brutus an "honorable man?"

Although Brutus did want what was best for Rome, he betrayed and murdered his friend and therefore cannot be considered a truly honorable man.