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Julius Caesar Essay | Essay on Julius Caesar for Students and Children in English

February 12, 2024 by Prasanna

Julius Caesar Essay:  Julius Caesar was Roman General and statesman who is widely known for his notable role in the events which led to the fall of the Roman Empire. He was a celebrated politician and can also be termed as a successful one. His most outstanding achievement was the invasion of Britain. However, Caesar’s acts were almost always against the decisions of the Senate, and despite his crucial successes, he was soon requested to step down.

Caesar, driven with political and military authority, disregarded the Senate every time. The elites soon were discontented towards his social reforms. Caesar was finally assassinated by a group of senators. The most crucial literary representation of Caesar was in the play called “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare.

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Long and Short Essays on Julius Caesar for Students and Kids in English

We are providing students with essay samples on an extended essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the topic Julius Caesar.

Long Essay on Julius Caesar 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Julius Caesar is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Historical Background:

Julius Caesar was a notable Roman statesman who eventually became one of the most crucial politicians of the Roman Empire before it’s decline. He, along with Crassus and Pompey, formed a political alliance called The First Triumvirate which dominated the empire for years.

However, Caesar’s glorious wins in battles and his invasion of Britain soon became a threat to Pompey. Caesar was asked by the Senate to step down, but he didn’t comply with the decision. This led to high opposition from the Senate and eventually resulted in a conspiracy against Caesar and his assassination.

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

The notable play, “The tragedy of Julius Caesar” written by William Shakespeare is a canon of English literature. The play was performed for the first time in the year 1599.

The play is centred around the Roman statesman Julius Caesar and his eventual assassination. Though the play is named Julius Caesar, it mostly centres around Brutus. It depicts the moral dilemma of Brutus, one of the closest friends of Caesar and a Roman Senator who gets involved in the conspiracy to murder Caesar.

The play begins with the return of Caesar from a victorious conquest by defeating Pompey and the beginning of a conspiracy against him among the senators. The Roman senators led by Cassius are seen to forge several documents and convince Brutus that Julius needs to assassinated to save Rome and its people.

Later, the senators approach Caesar with a fake petition regarding an issue involving Metellus Cimber’s banished brother. As Caesar rejects the plea, he is stabbed by the others, the last stab being of Brutus.

The death of Caesar gives rise to a series of civil wars in the Roman Empire. Brutus tries to pacify the crowd with his oration, but Mark Antony soon turns the public against the assassins. Brutus and Cassius unite to battle against Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar. However, they both meet with the unfortunate and untimely death. The play ends with Antony paying his tribute to Brutus as he was the only noble soul in Rome who stabbed Caesar only because he was made to believe that it was for the greater good of the empire.

Protagonist Debate:

Critics of Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar have often found themselves in never-ending dilemma regarding who is the protagonist of the story. Some believe that neither Caesar nor Brutus are the protagonists of the play since Caesar dies right at the beginning in Act Three, Scene One. Others believe Caesar to be the axial character of the play, around whom the entire story runs. There also critics who like to think that it is indeed Brutus who is the protagonist as the whole play centres around his moral dilemma and ends with his noble death.

The larger message of Julius Caesar-

The characters of Caesar and Brutus are quite identical in the play. Both of them are driven by passion and intuition. They have high philosophical knowledge that makes them respectable. However, Caesar is a man driven by virtue, while Brutus is driven mostly by impulsive passion.

Short Essay on Julius Caesar 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Julius Caesar is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Julius Caesar was a notable Roman statesman and politician who had risen in power during 60 BC. He became a crucial political as well as military leader and achieved a great deal for the Roman Empire.

He was responsible for the glorious invasion of Britain and also the defeat of the authoritarian Pompey. However, Caesar soon met striking oppositions from the Roman Senate. When he didn’t agree to comply with the Senate’s decision of removing him from an authority, he was assassinated by his senate members led by Cassius and also his closest ally Brutus.

William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar centres around this moral dilemma of Brutus whether he should join hands with the Senate to murder his friend. The play continues with the rising civil wars after Caesar’s death, Cassius and Brutus’s battle against Antonio and their eventual death. The play gives us a larger message of how passion and arrogance can often lead a man to the wrong path.

10 Lines on Julius Caesar Essay in English

1. The play was first performed in 1599. 2. It was first published as a work in 1623. 3. The most famous line of the play is the Latin phrase. “Et tu Brute?” 4. Brutus was assassinated in 44 BC. 5. Shakespeare altered several historical facts in the play. 6. For dramatic effect, he made Capitol the venue of Caesar’s death rather than Curia of Pompey. 7. There is a debate on who the actual protagonist of the play is. 8. In the end, Cassius asks his servant to kill him. 9. Brutus commits suicide. 10. Julius Caesar’s death was a notable event that led to the fall of the Roman empire.

FAQ’s on Julius Caesar Essay

Question 1. Was Brutus an evil character?

Answer: No, Brutus was a man of virtue who was driven by his passion for the wrong path.

Question 2. Who succeeded Caesar?

Answer: Julius was succeeded by his adoptive son Augustus Caesar.

Question 3. What does “Et tu Brute” mean?

Answer: This Latin phrase means, “You too Brutus?”

Question 4. Who was Pompey?

Answer: Pompey was a Roman politician who was first an ally of Caesar and his enemy.

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Julius Caesar

By william shakespeare, julius caesar essay questions.

Is Brutus a villain or a hero?

Discuss the power, or lack thereof, of omens and fate in Julius Caesar.

Discuss the role of women in Julius Caesar, comparing and contrasting Portia and Calpurnia.

Does a single hero or villain exist in Julius Caesar? If so, who? Please explain your reasoning in detail.

Discuss the power of speech and/or the written word in Julius Caesar.

Discuss the power of deception and manipulation in Julius Caesar.

In all the chaos of Julius Caesar, is there a single voice of reason? If so, who? Please explain your answer citing details from the text.

Compare and contrast the private and public sides of Brutus and Caesar.

How is loyalty portrayed in Julius Caesar? Please specifically address Antony, Brutus and Cassius in relation to Caesar.

Idealism often leads to downfall. Support this statement with references to the text and to other historical figures (i.e. Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc, etc.)

Julius Caesar Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Julius Caesar is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Julius Caesar Act 2

Brutus decides to join the conspiracy to murder Caesar. Brutus thinks Caesar will become too powerful if he is crowned and Rome will suffer for it.

Thematic analysis of Julius Caesar

This really depends on what specific theme you are referring to. Please check out the themes page below to explore different themes.

https://www.gradesaver.com/julius-caesar/study-guide/themes

17. Who had his birthday in the play? a. Cassius c. Caesar b. Antony d. Brutus

Study Guide for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Julius Caesar
• Julius Caesar Summary
• Julius Caesar Video
• Character List

Essays for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Julius Caesar.

• The Gender Transformation of Caesar
• Classification of the Main Characters of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• Shakespeare's Presentation of the Character of Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar'
• Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 1: A lesson is dramatic effectiveness
• Self-Deluded Characters in Julius Caesar

Lesson Plan for Julius Caesar

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Julius Caesar
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Julius Caesar Bibliography

E-Text of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar E-Text contains the full text of Julius Caesar

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Julius Caesar

• Introduction

95 Julius Caesar Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best julius caesar topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy julius caesar essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on julius caesar, ❓ julius caesar essay questions.

• William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” According to Wyke, the play explores the dramatic structure of Julius Caesar’s ambition to take to the throne of the Roman Empire.
• Personality of Julius Caesar and His Effect on Rome Caesar’s role in the play is not immense, though he dominates the play, even after his demise in the third act of the play.
• Julius Caesar an Iconic Roman This was highly unexpected, as Caesar, a declared dictator, had the support of all the people of Rome, and his death resulted in administrative imbalances.
• Julius Caesar and Rome Julius also lost support from the Senate because he was perceived as a leader of the masses rather than the aristocrats. To some extent, Caesar was a statesman because he cared about the needs of […]
• Act 1 Scene III of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Analysis The third scene is full of phrases and descriptions appealing to the reader. Short phrases deliver messages to the reader about the true essence of Cassius, Casca, and Cicero.
• Political Impacts of Julius Caesar This enables Lepidus to see the leadership potential in Caesar and makes his wish to work with him in the government.
• Persuasion, Manipulation, Survival, Success at Work in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Since the beginning of the play edited by Roma Gill, Brutus is presented as a character who is very close to Caesar and is a “great friend” of his.
• The Play “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare Meanwhile Caesar’s son, Octavius, the heir to the throne, decides to avenge for his father’s killing which leads to the deaths of the chief conspirators, Cassius and finally Brutus.
• Roman History: Caesar Augustus During Augustus’s reign, the Roman Empire conquered Egypt, the land along the southern bank of the Danube, the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the territory between the Rhine and the Elbe.
• Cleopatra’ and Caesar’ Relationship It must be noted though that based off historical accounts the relationship between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar was bound to fail even before it started due to the volatile combination of their personalities and the […]
• Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated There is clear indication that Caesar wanted to be called a king and this was the biggest mistake that he made.
• Julius Caesar’ Desire for Power Unfortunately with the death of Crassus by 53 BC and Caesar’s subsequent rise to power this as a result eclipsed the political standing of Pompey resulting in a distinct shift in the balance of power […]
• Roman History: Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated Julius Caesar was both a politician and a strong leader for the Romans, who were responsible for the changes in the history of the Greco-Roman. Caesar’s behavior in the temple was observed to be a […]
• The Gallic War and Julius Caesar’s Life One notable difference between Caesar’s and Plutarch’s descriptions of the siege of Alesia is how the authors list the numbers of the Gauls.
• Description of Augustus Caesar Marble Portrait I have my goal to examine the way the portrait reveals the features communicating a message of the ruler’s glory and divine nature.
• Ancient Rome: Augustus Caesar The main measures that he employed in the endeavor to restore religion include; regulation of private behavior, reconstruction of public monuments and public religion and creating awareness by the use of literature that discussed the […]
• Ancient and Modern Dictators: Caesar and Mugabe First of all, it is vital to identify the role of Julius Caesar and his contributions to the humanity and to the society of Romans, in particular.
• Julius Caesar’s and Czar Nicholas II’s Leadership He had to overcome numerous difficulties during his life that have led him to the path of becoming a leader. He had to face the first revolution in the history of Russia and has changed […]
• Shakespeare Authorship Question: Thorough Analysis of Style, Context, and Violence in the Plays Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night It should be stated that even though most of the scholars point to the fact that Shakespeare was not the author of the plays, I would like to contradict this opinion and prove that Shakespeare’s […]
• Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare The thought provoking tales in the book is something that arouses one’s consciousness and broadens one’s imaginations on the event that led to Caesar’s death as it makes the ardent readers to have a kind […]
• The Styles of Rhetoric Used in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Leadership Qualities of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Wive’s Role in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Utilization of Letters in the Play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Rule Of Julius Caesar And How The Leap Year Was Started
• The Tragic Hero with the Leading Role in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Warnings in Dreams, Nature, and Prophecies in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Symbol of Honor in the Character of Brutus in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Life, Ambition, and Success of Julius Caesar as a Ruler of the Roman Republic
• The Rhetorical Devices Used in William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• Understanding William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• The Use of Dramatic Irony and Apostrophes in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Honorable Assassination and Brutus’s Epigraph in William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• Why Did The Conspirators Justify The Murder Of Julius Caesar
• Understanding the Events Surrounding the Killing of Julius Caesar In 44 BC
• The History of England, from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Abdication of James the Second
• The Power of the Word of God in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Themes of Power in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Alan Parker’s Pink Floyd: The Wall and the Movie Lord of the Flies
• The Importance of Speech in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Power of Mark Antony’s Speech in Julius Caesar and Winston Churchill
• The Hunger for Power in Roman Politics in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Theme of Jealousy in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• Why Cassius Is The Greatest Manipulator In Julius Caesar By William Shakespeare
• Truth Among Lies in William Shakespeare’s Play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Upfront and Direct Character of Julius Caesar in the Story of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Theme of Power Corrupts People in the Play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Northern Star And The Many Descriptions Of Julius Caesar
• Use Of Rhetorical Appeals In Julius Caesar: Brutus Vs Antony
• The Similarities Between Elie Wiesel’s Ethical Reasoning and Brutus’ Speech in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• Vicky Stevens on the Reasons Behind the Assassination of Julius Caesar
• The Portrayal Of Brutus As A Tragic Hero In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• The Historical Facts of the Life of Caesar in William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Tragic Rise and Fall of Two Incredible Men: John Lennon and Julius Caesar
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• The True Human Features of Characters in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
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• Why Was Augustus Caesar a Better Ruler Than Julius Caesar?
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• Why Did the Conspirators Justify the Murder of Julius Caesar?
• Was the Senate Justified in Killing Julius Caesar?
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'Julius Caesar'- Shakespeare Essay

Julius Caesar, a Roman tragedy was written by William Shakespeare in 1599. It was one of the earliest of Shakespeare’s three Roman history plays. The play is based in real events the assassination of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator on 15th March 44BC. Although Julius Caesar is set in Rome over 2000 years ago it explore themes that have a contemporary relevance to the Elizabethans. Julius Caesar is murdered and has left no heir or successor. Queen Elizabeth of the Shakespeare time also did not leave an heir to the throne, which caused a lot of confusion for the Elizabethans.

The Elizabethans appreciated the play as it was covering the same situation they were in. Four hundred years before the play was written, the last king of Rome had been removed as he had proved to be like those before him. The Monarchy was replaced by the republic and the Senate took charge. This shows how easy it is to get dispose of rulers who become to powerful and tyrannical.

Brutus and Mark Antony are the primary sources of the plays plot. The play is tightly constructed. It establishes the dramatic problem of alarm of Julius Caesar’s ambition to become “king” or dictator.

In the very first scene Caesar has become so powerful and liked by the Senate and the people of Rome that it is likely he will be declared king. The Republicans however do not like this idea of him becoming king, as their republic, a system of government with a careful balance of power may be at threat; so a group of conspirators (Cassius, Casca, Trebonia, Caisus Ligarius, Decius Brutus, Metlus Cimber, Cinna and Caesars great friend Brutus).

Proficient in: Julius Caesar

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The two characters Brutus and Mark Antony (who was not part of the conspiracy) both speak at Caesars funeral.

Each had his own reason and purpose for doing so. Both speeches had their own addressing the crowd as well as differing styles. Therefore, differing effects on the crowd as a result of their differing styles and techniques. Brutus was first to speak. If the play was staged he and the conspirators would approach the stand with their hands dripping in Caesars blood, creating a victorious effect. Brutus approaches the crowd by stating his reasons for killing Caesar. He explains to the crowd that Caesar was removed due to his ambition and that if he were to become king, Rome would be destroyed.

Brutus speaks in ‘prose’ (lower class language) so that he is able to speak and communicate with the crowd properly. He begins his speech with ‘Romans, countrymen, and lovers’; this shows he loved Rome more and addressed them a Romans first because it was more important to him, it shows he is patriotic. His reason for killing Caesar was not because he did not love him, but because he lived Rome more. He says: ‘Brutus rose against Caesar, that is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more’ (Act 3 scene 2 lines 21-22)

This quote basically proves and summarises Brutus’ point to his speech. His speech was very formal, and it seems that all of his sentences were balanced. Although Brutus did a very good job in explaining to the crowd that murdering Caesar was for the good of Rome, he still hadn’t won them over. Brutus explained that he loved Caesar and cared for him but his death was for the good of Rome. ‘As Caesar loved me, I weep for him’ Brutus explains here that he still cared for him and he also claimed that Caesar was not good for Rome because he was ambitious.

Brutus came into a confused and curios crowd. After he explained himself and his purpose, the people were reluctant to believe him, however they were convinced for only a short time. Mark Antony makes a speech after Brutus. He has a difficult task of speaking to a hostile crowd outside the Roman Parliament where Caesar was stabbed to death. Anatony’s speeches are very different from Brutus’ and are far more subtle than Brutus’. They were full of clever techniques to manipulate the audience. Brutus spoke to the crowds about honour, patriotism and history.

Antony’s speeches were more emotional and by being emotional it manages to be more powerful and have a greater impact on the crowd. Julius Caesar and Antony were very close friends; and were always seen together. At the Feast of Luperculia Caesar and told Antony to touch Calpurnia during the race and Antony replied ‘I shall remember: when Caesar says, ‘do this’, it is perform’d’. This shows that Antony has great love for Caesar and Caesar also trusts Antony. Antony is much angered at Caesars death but skilfully hides his true feelings from the conspirators.

When he was with Brutus and the conspirators he said he is does not doubt them and believes their reason for killing Caesar and he also shakes hands with each one of the conspirators. Antony vows to make the conspirators pay for the death of Caesar and plans to cause havoc and chaos and will not stop until the conspirators are killed and Caesar death is fully avenged. ‘Domestic fury and fierce civil strife shall cumber all the parts of Italy’ (Act 3 scene 2, lines 263-264) Caesars death is then followed by a time of confusion and bloodshed as the Republicans and Antonys supporters struggle for power.

There are many questions that can be asked: what is best for ordinary people? Who will be the next heir, as Caesar has not left one? The audience of Shakespeare’s time would be asking themselves these same questions as Queen Elizabeth I was coming to the end of her reign. There was an argument about who the successor would be, as she had no children. It was the same with Julius Caesar. Who would be the heir Mark Antony or Brutus? Antony uses his opportunity to make as speech at Caesars funeral to manipulate the crowds way of thinking. He enters the scene with Caesars body, creating a dramatic effect.

He starts his speech with ‘friends, Roman, countrymen’ because he wants to come to them as a friend rather than a ruler trying to gain power and by doing this he puts them at ease. He speaks in blank verse and tries to flatter the crowd. He then continues by saying that he has come ‘to bury Caesar’ and ‘not to praise him’ so he can ease in praises of Caesar without the crowd stopping him. It also grabs the attention of the crowd who thought he would praise Caesar and not speak ill of Brutus. He starts off by saying negative things about Caesar but slowly and skilfully begins to talk about his positive side more.

The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious ……. For Brutus is an honourable man. ‘ – Antony sound very sincere when he says this. He repeats this statement three more times which becomes increasingly sarcastic, he finishes with, “yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and sure he was an honourable man. ” Since people were persuaded by Brutus’ speech, Antony could not insult Brutus’ honesty. Antony says, “I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke”, but that is exactly what he does. Antony uses emotional words and many dramatic devises to win over the crowds.

He pretends that he is no good at public speaking. This creates sympathy for him, as the crowd will think it was hard for him to speak to them. ‘For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth. Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech’ (Act 3 scene 2, line 118-119) As a condition for doing the speech, he is not allowed to blame the conspirators; Antony gets round this by subtly changing meanings of words such as ‘honourable’. Honourable is a very strong word and it is Brutus’ best quality. Antony degrades this word by making a point that Caesar was not ambitious and then adds that Brutus was a honourable man.

This effect creates doubt in the audiences mind. He uses techniques like sarcasm. Antony talks about Caesar very passionately to give the impression that Caesar is a hero and causes the crowd to think about how they lost such a great man. ” He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? ” (Act 3 scene 3, lines86-88) This quote tells us the audience that Caesar brought captives and money, which he gave to the public funds. Caesar wanted nothing but the best for the people of Rome.

Antony wants to show that Caesar was not ambitious by providing four reasons as evidence. These are: * He brought many prisoners whose ransoms filled the treasury. This makes the audience realise that what ever Caesar done was for Rome * When the poor cried Caesar wept in sympathy. This shows that Caesar was concerned about the citizens and the welfare of Rome, it also shows that Caesar was emotionally weak, but ambition should be made of sterner stuff. * When Caesar denied the crown three times. I f Caesar wanted to be come king and if he was ambitious, why didn’t he take the crown at the feast? The will Caesar left for the people.

If Caesar was ambitious and greedy why did he leave the people of Rome 75 Drachmas and his private walks? Antony deals wit Caesars worst point, his desire to become king of Rome by making you believe he denied the crown three times at the feast of Lupercal because he had no desire to become king. The use of Caesars will as a stage prop arouses a lot of attention from the crowd. He tells the crowd about it but then deliberately changes to another point. By using this delaying tactic he keeps the crowds attention. He continuously prolongs them and builds up a climax.

He also asks the crowds permission to read the will ‘You compel me then to read the will? ‘- This technique makes the crowds think that he is a helpless man and he has no power over anything. It makes the crowds believe they are telling him what to do. After mentioning the will he tells the crowd to gather round Caesar’s body. He uses Caesars body as a tool of manipulation. This creates a very dramatic effect as the crowd see what the mighty Caesar has been reduced to. Antony continuously uses repetition and questions Brutus’ honour. He uses many dramatic devices, which Brutus doesn’t use.

By the end of his speeches the crowd are against Brutus. This shows that the crowds are not strong in their convictions and Antony is able to fickle the crowds easily. Antony uses a dramatic effect on the people, first by entering the stage with the body if Caesar and then at the end stating his heart is still with the body of Caesar, ending his speech weeping. The effect of Antony showing the crowds Caesars cloak, full of knife gnashes, is very dramatic and emotional. He talks of blood to move the citizens to pity and anger. He describes the killing as ‘brutal’ and unforgivable.

He is able to get the people to question the killing of Caesar. The crowd begin to doubt Brutus. “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now” (Act 3 scene 2, line 167) Antony tells them they will be overcome with emotion. By mentioning the bloody cloak he makes it more visual and brutal. He mentions the cloak deliberately and tells us about the first time he wore the cloak, when he defeated the Nervii, as Caesar was known for his skill at war. He reminded them what Caesar had done for them. Antony opens the appeal for sympathy by using emotive words and exaggeration, which make you feel sorry for him.

He tells the crowd about the first time Caesar wore the garment in which he defeated the Nervii, but then dramatically starts telling the audience about the rips in the torn and bloody piece of cloth. “That day he overcame the Nervii. Look in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through” (Act 3 scene 2, lines 171-172) Antony continuously uses emotive language and devices to steer the crowds. While speaking he stops and says: … “Bear with me. My heart is still in the coffin there with Caesar” (Act 3 scene 2, lines 103-104) This shows how distraught he is that he has to stop before continuing.

This gives time for the crowd to stop and observe his behaviour. The crowd begin to question themselves and are deeply affected by his emotion; and when people are emotional they cannot think rational. Antony pretends to know who made which wound and pretends to recall each little detail, which causes the audience to become angry and pitiful. He makes it up in order to make it seem more barbaric. “Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made” (Act 3 scene 2, lines 172-174) Antony gives a very detailed account of when Brutus stabbed Caesar.

The image of blood stir the crowds up and it makes you think about inhumane way Caesar was killed. He gives a detailed account of when Caesar stabbed him so the crowds realise what a traitor he was and how he rose against his friend because of jealousy. “Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it, As running out of doors, to e resolv’d If Brutus so unkindly knock’d or no” (Act 3 scene 2, line 176-178) At this point the crowd is so emotional that Antony no linger needs to use the word ‘honourable’ after criticizing Brutus.

Antony also says in his speech: “For Brutus, as you know, was Caesars angel. He says this to show that Caesar loved him greatly and trusted him. He was betrayed by his best friend, Brutus; He was a traitor. ‘Traitor’ is a very strong word. The Elizabethans believed that if someone was put in power, God put them there and no one could remove them. If you tried to remove them you were classified as a traitor, which was the worst thing for them. All of these tricks used by Antony were successful and were able to steer the crowds to think that Brutus and the conspirators were nothing but brutal murderers and they killed Caesar due to jealousy.

After showing the crowd Caesars cloak, Antony removes it showing the disfigured corpse of Caesar. The crowds’ horror and anger reaches its highest climax and the crowd want revenge Antony again pretends to know who made which stab in Caesars body. He talks about blood, which again causes the crowd to become emotional and pitiful. “O woeful day! O traitors! Villains” (Lines 198-199) This quote shows that Antony was successful in his aims. He has the crowd so wound up and fumed with anger they will do what Antony could not do. Antony uses words such as “Good friend, sweet friends” to make the crowd feel at ease and make them trusted.

He tells them he is a friend and means no harm. Antony is easily able to fickle the crowd as they are not strong in there convictions. Antony is able to prove to the audience that the conspirators are not honourable, but were heartless butchers. “They who have done this deed are honourable. ” (Line 209) He also exaggerates and lies in his speeches. He says “I have neither wit, nor words, or worth. ” These are used to create sympathy for himself. Antony has these qualities and proves it by using them. “But were I Brutus And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits. (Lines 223-225)

Here Antony tries to say that Brutus would cause a riot and tell them lies, but he has done this himself. This also shows how hypocritical Antony is and the amount of lies he tells to sway the crowds to believe him. The use of rhetorical devises and persuasive language in Antony’s speeches create great emphasis on the innocence of Caesar. The repetition of the word ‘ambitious’ keeps the reader wondering if Antony is correct, that Caesar was murdered for no reason except treason. Brutus’ speech involved taking a defensive approach, leaving people to their own conclusions.

However, Antony takes a prosecuting approach against Brutus, so sneaky that you don’t even notice it. Antony’s examples give him an advantage over Brutus because he backs up his statements with examples while Brutus leaves his statements open-ended. The people find it easier to accept Antony, an emotional and sincere speaker, than Brutus who appears to be arrogant and forceful. Antony talks about Brutus first and slowly talks about how bad he is while he is doing this he starts talking about the noble Caesar. He uses many positive adjectives such as ‘Mighty Caesar, Great Caesar, and Noble Caesar’.

He fits them into sentences unnoticeably. Antony has got what he wanted; he has succeeded in his plan to manipulate the crowd. “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt! How now fellow” (Lines 258-259) Antony does not care of the plebs. All he cares about is his success and his ability to avenge Caesars death. The crowds will burn down houses and kill people but he is not worried about that. Antony proves he has been successful when the crowds disperse to look for the conspirators; they come across a poet called Cinna.

They kill him just because he bears the name ‘Cinna’ even though he has no contact with any of the conspirators. These shows how powerfully manipulating his speeches were. The crowds become brutal and blinded by this manipulation. “Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live. ” (Lines 202-203) Antony was successful in his aims to manipulate the crowds after the murder of Caesar. He had a hard task of making a speech to an unruly crowd who had been turned against Caesar by Brutus. He easily changed their way of thinking and succeeded in his plan.

I have found that Brutus was honourable but was blinded by his love for Rome and was also easily persuaded by Cassius and the conspirators. He did not think of the consequences and though that the people of Rome would see through his eyes and believe that this was his true reason for killing Caesar. However, Antony was very manipulative and persuasive in changing thee views of the crowd easily. His repetition, positive adjectives, rhetorical questions, sarcasm and pauses all combined to have a very great impact on his speeches, which influenced the crowds.

There is a contemporary relevance of Antonys’ speeches to how modern politicians influence people to vote for them. Modern politicians promise to do the best for the people i. e. improve healthcare, schooling etc and also promise to right the mistakes of the past leaders. They use persuasive language and say the benefits the people will receive if they will cast their vote towards them. Antony used this technique and told the people of Rome what they had inherited from Caesar, but did they receive anything what Antony told them?

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Julius Caesar — The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A Critical Analysis

The Assassination of Julius Caesar: a Critical Analysis

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

Words: 937 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, background and context of the assassination, the assassination and its aftermath, overview of julius caesar's rise to power, the political climate in rome leading up to the assassination, the conspirators and their motivations for assassinating caesar, the events leading up to the assassination, the assassination itself and its immediate aftermath, the impact of the assassination on rome and its people.

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Essays on Julius Caesar

Table of Contents

About julius caesar’s book:.

Julius Caesar may have been the first of Shakespeare’s plays to be performed at the Globe in 1599 when the playwright wrote it. A pivotal moment in Roman history inspired his argument. The assassination of Caesar by his political allies and supporters. Brutus, a key conspirator, was viewed as either heroic or villainous by Renaissance writers. In a way, Shakespeare’s play keeps the debate going.

One of Shakespeare’s best-known plays, Julius Caesar, is frequently cited in political speeches today. Like Caesar, the aging and heirless Queen Elizabeth I may have been an inspiration for Shakespeare’s portrayal of Elizabethan politics in this play.

Book summary:

The conspirators to kill Caesar manage to convince Caesar’s best friend, Brutus, to help them carry out their plan. On the Ides of March, Brutus and the conspirators kill Caesar to stop him from gaining too much power.

When the conspirators try to return to Rome, Mark Antony fights them and drives them out. Cassius and his brother Brutus both lose and die, leaving Antony as the sole heir apparent to the Roman Empire.

Shakespeare brilliantly illuminates the difficulty of choosing between two loyal friends in his masterpiece Julius Caesar. The author’s lucid depiction of the uglier aspects of human nature in a variety of characters is what keeps readers turning pages.

Julius Caesar quotes:

•     “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”
•     “But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”
•     “Et Tu, Brute?”
•     “A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.”
•     “Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!”
•     “Beware the ides of March.”
•     “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars/ But in ourselves.”
•     “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”
•     “Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars. But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” 
•     “Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods.”

Essay Structure on Julius Caesar:

Reading Julius Caesar (or any of Shakespeare’s plays) can be like reading a long poem, despite the play’s relatively simple language. In Shakespearean drama, verse (poetry) and prose are used equally.

●       Introduction:

In the introduction, you should discuss the following two primary themes:

• Any prior knowledge that the reader will require to comprehend your essay
• The main points and basic conclusion of your response to the question are outlined in this road map.

The roadmap section of the introduction is often easier to write at the end when you know all of your main points.

Complicated sentences don’t mean you’re writing elaborately. As a result, your inability to convey information clearly or break sentences logically may be revealed. In addition, the likelihood of making grammatical or stylistic errors rises when sentences become overly complex. In the words of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, their writing was not hampered by their use of simple language.

●       Body:

The body paragraphs of your essay are where you provide evidence to back up your thesis statement. The data, content, or events discussed in each body paragraph should support one specific claim you’ve made in your thesis.

Refer to your thesis statement if you’re unsure if a particular point or detail should be included in your body paragraphs. You should include a fact if it helps you prove your point. Leave it out if it doesn’t. It is essential that your essay’s structure is based on your thesis statement, so everything else in the essay must be connected to it.

●       Conclusion:

Often, it’s a good idea to write a rough draft of your essay’s conclusion before you begin writing its main points. Knowing the destination makes it easier to plan a trip. To avoid straying from the main point, ask yourself, “Is this point relevant to my conclusion?” If not, get rid of it!

•   The information in your introduction will need to be re-stated in your conclusion to emphasize what you have proven and how you have proven it. Re-read your introduction.
•     ‘This essay considers…’ is an example of an opening statement that sums up your main points.
•     The following summarizes your main findings and why they are important.
•     The final paragraphs of your essay should interestingly re-state your conclusion by drawing on the evidence you’ve presented in the body of the essay.

6 Tips to Consider While Writing An essay about Julius Caesar:

The introduction sets the tone of your essay. It needs to pique the reader’s curiosity and give them an idea of what to expect from the book. About 10–20% of the whole material is devoted to the introduction.

Read The Book Thoroughly

When writing an introduction, ensure the initial sentence piques the reader’s interest and curiosity. The hook is a term used to describe the first sentence in a paragraph. An intriguing question, an unexpected truth, or strong statements emphasizing an issue’s importance are all interesting.

Let’s imagine we’re writing a paper on the history of Braille development (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people)

Find A Compelling Topic

Next, you must provide context for your argument so your reader can grasp it. An introduction might include a history of the issue, an outline of significant academic work or controversies, and an explanation of unfamiliar terminology. You can go into greater depth in the body of your essay if you don’t include it all in the introduction. And next to the introduction, the most important thing you need to write the essay is Julius Caesar essay topics.

You can do a little research or get the one from the book. But be very careful while selecting the title of your writing, as it’s a way for readers to know what you will share in your essay! You can also choose Julius Caesar argumentative essay topics if you have deep knowledge of the story and can write about it in detail!

Create The Outline:

End the start of longer articles by quickly outlining what each section will address. This gives the reader a sense of how your argument will progress and helps them understand the structure of your paper.

Write The Thesis Statement:

Before moving on, you’ll need to develop a thesis statement—the main argument you intend to make. The thesis statement serves as a guiding principle and a declaration of your perspective on the subject matter. Most of the time, it’s just a few paragraphs long. Use various Julius Caesar essay questions to hook the reader’s attention!

Include A Lesson Or Moral

Think about the play’s theatricality when you watch it. In particular, recall the murder scene (and Cassius’s reference to future productions of that scene), the forum’s speeches (particularly Antony’s), and the speeches over the dead conspirators’ bodies. What impact do acting and rhetoric have on the play’s events? What is their relationship to politics? Is the play’s political power a reference to its theatrical production?

Consider the characters of Caesar and Brutus as examples of rigidity in this play. How can a person be so rigid? This rigidity can be seen as either admirable or debilitating. Are rigidity benefits greater than the costs, or is it the other way around?

Conclusion: Proofread Your Work

The last paragraph of an essay is known as the conclusion. It shouldn’t take up more than 10–15% of the total word count.

It’s common for students to be unsure about how to conclude an essay and to treat this portion as an afterthought, yet it’s vitally crucial.

After summarizing your primary points, you should illustrate how they support your thesis statement in the conclusion. The conclusion of an essay:

•     Returning to the fundamental idea
•     Your most important ideas 
•     Demonstrates why your argument is important

A well-written conclusion should end with a memorable or impacting line to create a lasting impression on the reader. Are you facing any issues in the essay writing or composing the Julius Caesar research paper? Our professionals with great writing experience can provide you with the best quality essays and papers!

    i.           What was Julius Caesar’s book called?

To top it all off, Caesar was an accomplished writer and military and political leader. The Gallic Wars Commentarii de Bello Gallico and the Roman Civil War were among his many works of historical scholarship (Commentarii de Bello Civili).

  ii.           Is Julius Caesar a play or a book?

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a history play and tragedy by William Shakespeare, was originally presented in 1599. It is a tragedy because it chronicles the story of an honorable warrior who misreads people and situations, leading to his death and the violent civil war that consumes his nation.

    iii.           Is Julius Caesar a true story?

Julius Caesar was a Roman politician who proclaimed himself dictator of the Roman Empire. Caesar’s authority as dictator lasted for a little over a year before political opponents notoriously slew him in the year 44 B.C.

iv.           What is the most famous line in Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar got to power through his ambitious political reforms. The man has transformed Rome from a republican state to an empire. You may find countless lines from Julius Caesar, but “Et Tu, Brute?” is extremely famous. 

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Julius Caesar

55 pages • 1 hour read

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Discussion Questions

Though the play is titled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar , much of the play’s action follows the emotional conflict experienced by Brutus. To what extent can Brutus be considered the tragic hero of the play?

What role do omens and prophecies play in Julius Caesar ? What is the consequence of ignoring them?

Hubris, or excessive pride, is a tragic flaw exhibited by dramatic heroes dating back to antiquity. Caesar is proud to the point of arrogance and negligence. To what extent is pride responsible for his downfall?

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