Theme in Shakepeare’s Julius Caesar
"Theme in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar"
I think the central idea of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is the questioning of loyalty and the imbalance of power. No one in the play is completely and undeniably loyal to one another and others fear the power and dominant aurora of Caesar. Some struggle with internal affairs such as Brutus; “ Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war” (Act 1, line 18) and others fear for the future of their kingdom; “I do fear, the people choose Caesar for their king.” (Act 1, line 21). These two main ideas tie together and cause an uproar all throughout the play. Not being able to trust those he dominates or those closest to him making executive decisions, Caesar remains conflicted. Cassius dislikes the fact that Caesar has become godlike and an important and authoritative figure to the Romans; “Did I the tired Caesar. And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature must bend his body, if caesar carelessly but nod on him.” (Act 1, line 24) Cassius begins to brainwash Brutus into believe that Caesar has become too powerful and must die. Finally he begins winning over and gaining the loyalty of Brutus causing him to send forged letters claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars” ( Act 1, line 25) But they do not realize that you can not mess with the balance of things and it is an awful thing to tamper with fate; “ If not the fates with traitors do contrive.”(Act 2, line 98) Not everyone is who they seem to be. Brutus was naively persuaded into following the lead of one that bites. “Hidden in smiles and Affability” (Act 2, line 64) All snakes bite, but some are more poisonous than others. Brutus though falling in the footsteps of Cassius has begun to forget his morals and begins looking in all aspects of Cassius' plan of bringing down Caesar. "Our purpose necessary and not envious: which so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be called purgers, not murders" (Act 2, line 72). Brutus not only begins to lose himself, but begins to believe and worship the snake that whispers in his ear. And this is where Brutus does not realize the true imbalance of power. Brutus believes that Caesar must be brought down because his immense power over the roman people, but he does not realize the real power Cassius is capable of considering that he has convinced Brutus that his future leader is meant to be brought down with his empire and all those loyal to him.