Sunday, September 18, 2011

Shakespeare Series: "Julius Caesar"

"Julius Caesar" unravels the plot carried out to assassinate the title character and its aftermath. Villainous Cassius convinces Julius' dear friend Brutus to help him with the murder. They gather a team of senators in the name of protecting Rome. These men of the Republic claim to be selfless. As Caesar gains popularity among the Roman public, these noble men cower that he will proclaim himself emperor. The men decide the only way to stop Caesar is to lead him to the senate and slay him. Truth be told, their plan backfires. Caesar's murder leads Rome into a state of chaos. With what appears to be treason, citizens of Roman are appalled by Caesar's death. In the midst of protecting Roman democracy, the conspirators destroy it. Romans look to Mark Antony as their only hope of preventing Rome from falling apart. Antony eventually forms a triumvirate with Lepidus and Octavius. In accordance to Caesar's will, Octavius become Rome's first emperor.

At Caesar's funeral, Brutus defiantly proclaims, "But as he was ambitious, I slew him" (III.ii.25). Julius Caesar was an honorable man, but he was far too ambitious. The moment he stopped fighting for the rights of the Roman people, he was sworn dead. Like Napoleon and Hitler, he overstepped his bounds. A leader should be decisive, but these three men failed to learn the difference between executive and totalitarian. Even Cassius and Brutus let power go to their heads. In Rome's discombobulated state, these men try to rise to the top. They receive their own consequences, but one must read to find those out. Although Rome was the last empire of the ancient world, Caesar's fallings are still prevalent. Like Rome, US congressmen and congresswomen are letting personal ego inhibit their ability to reform society. Caesar was talented in communicating through political rhetoric, a valued asset of the modern politician. Sometimes society forgets the mistakes of the Romans. Although the successes of the Roman Empire are monstrous, the rights of its citizens were minimal. Their failing to preserve democracy resulted in an multi-century empire.

I recommend "Julius Caesar" to any sophisticated reader. This play exemplifies Shakespeare's mastery of turning a simple plot into something very deep. I advise any reader of this play to attempt to dwell in the motions of Caesar and Brutus. As their friendship falls apart, we should relate it our friendships that seemed to drift apart. For a rookie to Shakespeare, I would wait to read "Julius Caesar". The language is challenging and confusing at times. I read this play while I was a camp. Even with all the exciting activities surrounding me, this tale of the failing Roman republic could captivate me. Picking up this masterpiece will send a reader on a wild ride to society much like our own a long time ago.

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