julius caesar analysis essay

Julius Caesar

William shakespeare, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Julius Caesar: Introduction

Julius caesar: plot summary, julius caesar: detailed summary & analysis, julius caesar: themes, julius caesar: quotes, julius caesar: characters, julius caesar: symbols, julius caesar: literary devices, julius caesar: quizzes, julius caesar: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of Julius Caesar

Other books related to julius caesar.

• Full Title: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• When Written: 1599
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1623
• Literary Period: Renaissance
• Genre: Tragic drama; history play
• Setting: Rome and environs, 44 B.C.E.
• Climax: Brutus’s suicide
• Antagonist: Cassius
• Point of View: Dramatic

Extra Credit for Julius Caesar

Time Warp. As in many of his plays, Shakespeare manipulates time in Julius Caesar , both for dramatic convenience and to make the setting less foreign to his audience. For example, the time between Caesar's triumphal march with Pompey's sons and the defeat of Cassius and Brutus was around two years in real life, but Shakespeare compresses it into two months. And at one point a mechanical clock strikes the time, yet such clocks wouldn’t be invented for over 1,000 years after the play takes place!

Et tu, Bruté? Despite the title of Julius Caesar , one could argue that this play could just as easily be titled the Tragedy of Brutus . Caesar dies less than halfway through the play and has fewer lines than several other major characters. The story of the noble Brutus being undone by his dispassionate logic and his trust in Cassius conforms much more closely to the literary model of tragedy.

Master Shakespeare's Julius Caesar using Absolute Shakespeare's Julius Caesar essay, plot summary, quotes and characters study guides.

Plot Summary : A quick review of the plot of Julius Caesar including every important action in the play. An ideal introduction before reading the original text.

Commentary : Detailed description of each act with translations and explanations for all important quotes. The next best thing to a modern English translation.

Characters : Review of each character's role in the play including defining quotes and character motivations for all major characters.

Characters Analysis : Critical essay by influential Shakespeare scholar and commentator William Hazlitt, discussing all you need to know on the characters of Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar Essay : Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous essay on Julius Caesar based on his legendary and influential lectures and notes on Shakespeare.

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To help you look at any scene in Julius Caesar and begin to analyse it, it’s important to ask questions about how it's written and why.

Shakespeare’s plays are driven by their characters and every choice that’s made about words, structure and rhythm tells you something about the person, their relationships or their mood in that moment. You should always try and ask yourself, like actors do, why is the character saying what they are saying or doing what they are doing? What is their motive?

Just like Detectives, we need to look for clues to help us answer those questions each time and below you can find some interrogation techniques we use to analyse text, introduced by the actors that use them. 

Analysing Rhetorical Language

The language of rhetoric, or persuasive speaking, is very important in Julius Caesar. Both in Shakespeare’s time and in Ancient Rome, public speaking and the ability to move a crowd was a highly valued skill, particularly in politics.

In this video, you can hear RSC actor, Alex Waldmann talk about Brutus’ use of rhetoric in his speech to the crowd at Caesar’s funeral in Act 3 Scene 2. It is a good idea to keep a list of where these skills are used in Julius Caesar. Here is a list of rhetorical features to look for:

Both Brutus and Antony go head to head in Act 3 Scene 2. Watch Paterson Joseph, playing Brutus, and Ray Fearon, playing Antony, in the 2012 production to see the two characters' different uses of rhetoric in action.

Questions to consider

How do Antony and Brutus each use repetition and antithesis? Ask yourself:

• Does Brutus’ use of repetition make him easier or harder to listen to? Which of his words stand out as a result of being repeated? Repetition usually helps to plant ideas in the minds of the people listening. If you write down all the words that Brutus repeats more than others, what would you think his speech was about?
• How does Antony talk about Brutus? How many times does he repeat the words ‘honourable man’ and how does the meaning of this statement change each time he uses it?
• How many examples of antithesis can you find in Brutus’ speech? Looking back at the first video, what does Alex Waldmann do in performance to make these opposites stand out?

Showing emotion or inspiring emotion in your audience is an important skill for a public speaker. Thinking about these two speakers, ask yourself:

• What does Antony say and do in this speech to move the crowd emotionally?
• At what moments do you think Brutus or Antony show emotion of their own? How are you able to tell? Which of them feels more emotionally charged and what is the impact of that?
• Look at Antony’s speech in the text and think about his use of repetition, antithesis and emotion. Just as Alex thinks about in the first video, when talking about Brutus, can you imagine how an actor playing Antony might perform this speech?

Using Alex’s points on rhetoric, we’ve started to look at how Antony persuades and moves the mob/crowd in his Act 3 Scene 2 speech. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain how he uses language to get the crowd to agree with him.

Explanation

Evidence Select an option

Explanation Click text to edit

Evidence Click text to edit

Point Click text to edit

What else can I do to explore Antony’s language?

• Try applying these same strategies to all of Antony’s lines to reveal any changes in his language and behaviour. Pay attention to any soliloquies he has, as these moments can reveal a character’s true thoughts.
• Think about how many modern examples you know of great rhetorical speeches. How is political speaking changing? Is rhetoric still important? You can also watch Mark Thompson, the CEO of the New York Times, talking about rhetoric in the modern media and consider why Antony’s speech to the people is so crucial.
• Compare how Antony speaks to the conspirators after the murder to how he addresses Caesar’s body after they leave. Notice his choice of words. What do they reveal about where his loyalties and true feelings lie?
• Continue exploring and comparing the two speeches we have looked at in Act 3 Scene 2. What do they say about Antony and Brutus’ relationships to the common man?

Analysing Caesar's Language

Caesar only has 5% of the lines in Julius Caesar but his words leave a lasting impression. At the start of the play, Caesar returns after a military triumph to a divided Rome. Some people want him crowned king, others fear his ambition will make him a tyrant if crowned. Ignoring many warnings to his safety, Caesar is murdered in public by people he trusts. A lot of conflicting things are said about Caesar by other characters. He is accused of being ‘weak’, ‘feeble’, ’ambitious’ and ‘superstitious’ by his enemies and considered ‘mighty’, ‘great’ and ‘sweet’ by his friends. By examining how Caesar speaks, particularly about himself, we can create a better picture of who the character really is.

In this video, watch RSC actor, Alex Waldmann explain what the threat of Caesar means to Brutus.

Can you find any evidence of this dangerous ambition in the things Caesar actually says?

In this video, Mark Quartley shares some of the things he looks for to help understand how a character is feeling in a speech. The example he is using is a monologue from The Tempest but you can look for the same clues in Julius Caesar.

After watching, read Caesar’s words from Act 3 Scene 1, just before he is murdered. In this scene, Caesar is hearing petitions outside the Capitol. What do you notice about how Caesar speaks that reveals his character? As you read, see if you can notice the things Mark tells us to look out for:

• Word choice

• What are the key images that stand out for you in Caesar’s speech? What visual pictures do they suggest in your mind and how does that help you see Caesar as he sees himself?
• How different is the way Caesar speaks to that of the other men? What does this say about his position compared to them?
• How regular is the metre or number of syllables in his lines? Can you spot any irregularities and if so, what might they reveal about how Caesar is feeling?
• What words that he uses stand out to you? What does this tell you about how Caesar wants to affect the people around him?

Using Mark's strategies, we’ve started to look at the language Caesar uses in Act 3 Scene 1. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain what Caesar’s words reveal about him and his ambition.

What else can I do to explore Caesar's language?

• Examine how Caesar speaks to others in Act 3 Scene 1. What does it tell you about his opinion of the men around him? How many times does he interrupt people and is he really listening to what they have to say?
• What do you notice in the same scene if you emphasise the first and last word of each of his lines? Try applying these same strategies to the other lines Caesar has in the play. Consider how Caesar’s language changes in different moments in the play and what this might reflect about how he feels at those moments.
• Look at how Shakespeare introduces Caesar and the first things that are said about him in Act 1. We hear lots of different opinions about his style of leadership and his ability as a leader. Try collecting this evidence together, looking at the language that is used to create a picture of him. What kind of ruler was Caesar?

Analysing the Imagery

As with all of Shakespeare’s plays, there are lots of types of imagery used in Julius Caesar. It’s a great idea to keep a list of the key quotes and imagery used in each act.

Here are three types of imagery that come up a lot in Julius Caesar:

Blood Imagery

• Many characters use images of blood throughout Julius Caesar, emphasising the ideas of sacrifice and butchery. Calphurnia has dreams featuring a war in the heavens ‘Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol’ (2:2) and a statue of Caesar which ‘like a fountain with an hundred spouts, / Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans / Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.’ (2:2) This second image becomes real when Brutus tells his fellow conspirators to bathe their ‘hands in Caesar’s blood /Up to the elbows’ (3:1)
• How many examples of blood imagery can you find in the play and what does it reveal about the character who uses it? Why do you think Shakespeare draws on this imagery?

Natural Imagery

• The unnatural behaviour of weather and animals feature strongly in this play. Many are seen as omens of bad things to come, as Casca says: ‘I met a lion, / Who glared upon me and went surly by / Without annoying me.’ (1:2)
• Characters are also compared to beasts and animals, giving insights to how they are perceived by others. Cassius talks of Caesar in Act 1 Scene 3, saying ‘I know he would not be a wolf / But that he sees the Romans are but sheep; / He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.’
• A violent storm begins Act 3 with Casca commenting ‘never till now, / Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.’ (3:1) Cassius also likens fate to a ship in a storm, saying ‘Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! / The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.’ (5:1)
• How many examples of natural imagery or references to the weather can you find in the play and why do you think Shakespeare uses so many of them? How do they affect the mood of the scene?

Sickness Imagery

• Physical illness and sickness are really important in Julius Caesar as they often draw attention to the state of a character’s mind and even the state of Rome itself. In Act 1 Scene 2, Cassius talks about the physical weaknesses of Caesar. When Casca enters, he says ‘He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth and was speechless.’ (1:2) The plot to kill Caesar is also offered as a remedy to cure a sick man when Ligarius braves his illness to visit Brutus. In this scene Brutus describes the assassination plot as ‘A piece of work that will make sick men whole’ (2:1) and Ligarius replies ‘But are not some whole that we must make sick?’, hinting that he knows Caesar must die.
• Take a closer look at the extract from Act 2 Scene 1 on this page to explore how Portia uses the imagery of sickness in her appeal to Brutus. Why do you think Shakespeare uses this language so much here? Why is it effective to connect physical illness to an illness of the mind?

Thinking about Act 2 Scene 1, we’ve started to look at what the imagery of sickness and word choices in the scene tell us about Portia and Brutus. See if you can complete the grid below and create three points which explain what this language shows us about their relationship at this point in the play.

Analysing the Themes

As with all Shakespeare’s plays, there are lots of themes that appear in Julius Caesar. It’s a great idea to keep a list of key quotes and examples of these themes in each act as you go through the play, looking at where they come up.

Here are three themes to look out for:

Theme of Superstition

• Superstition appears in Julius Caesar from the very start of the play. Within moments of Caesar’s first appearance, he is hailed by a Soothsayer who delivers an ominous warning, saying ‘Beware the ides of March.’ (1:2) Caesar’s very first action in the play is to position his wife close to Antony during a race, thinking it will break her ‘barren curse’, and in Act 2 Scene 2 Calphurnia's dreams prompt Caesar to order a sacrifice to the gods.
• There is a surge of omens leading up to Caesar’s murder and both Casca and Calphurnia see significance in so many of them happening at once. Even the cynical Cassius gets superstitious after losing confidence during the battle in Act 5 Scene 1. Which of these signs and omens appear more than others?
• See how many references to omens and signs you can find in the play and make note of who says them and their reaction. What does it say about the characters? Who believes in omens and who doesn’t? Who changes their mind about them during the action of the play?

Theme of Ambition

• Ambition is the source of most of the conflict in Julius Caesar. Cassius and Brutus are convinced that Caesar is driven by ambition. Brutus describes him as ‘a serpent’s egg’ which ‘hatch’d, would, as his kind, grow mischievous.’ (2:1). Look closely at what Caesar actually says and does in the play. If allowed to become king, do you think Caesar would abuse his power?
• Examine how Cassius speaks about Caesar. He tells Brutus that he ‘was born as free as Caesar; so were you.’ (1:2). He describes himself as ‘A wretched creature’ who must bow if ‘Caesar carelessly but nod on him.’(1:2) Do his words reveal more about Cassius than Caesar? Notice what Caesar says about Cassius. How ambitious do you think Cassius is to get his own way? What ambitions do the other conspirators have and how far does this motivate them? Does Brutus have an ambition?
• See how many references to ambition you can find in the play. Caesar is not the only character to show ambition. Look particularly at Antony’s path to success throughout the action. What does this reveal about him?

Theme of Loyalty

• Loyalty is very important in Julius Caesar as it creates a lot of suspense and drama. Many characters put their trust in people who seem loyal and trustworthy but are not. Antony believes Cassius is loyal, telling Caesar ‘he’s not dangerous; / He is a noble Roman, and well given’ (1:2). Caesar puts his trust in each of the conspirators, who make a show of loyalty before betraying him, calling him ‘Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar’ (3:1). With his dying breath, Caesar even recognises his most loyal friend as his murderer, asking ‘Et tu, Brute?’ (3:1) and showing surprise at Brutus' betrayal. The loyalty between Brutus and Cassius is also tested many times before their deaths. Note how many times they call each other ‘brother’ throughout the play. What kind of relationship do you think they have? Is their loyalty to each other or something else?
• See how many references to loyalty you can find in the play. Which characters are particularly valued by others for being trustworthy? Who considers themselves loyal?

Teacher Notes

The following activities will help you to explore the art of rhetoric and persuasive speaking with students.

Rhetoric Activities (2012)

The activities can be found on pages 11-16 and look at different aspects of rhetoric using Antony’s speech in Act 3 Scene 1.

You can also print the PEE grids from each of the sections on this page to help students explore the language of central characters and some of the imagery used in more detail.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Julius Caesar — Analysis of Roman Icon: Was Julius Caesar a Good Leader

Analysis of Roman Icon: Was Julius Caesar a Good Leader

• Categories: Famous Person Julius Caesar Leader

About this sample

Words: 1666 |

Published: Oct 2, 2020

Words: 1666 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Works Cited

• Barlag, P. (2019). The Leadership Secrets of Julius Caesar: Timeless Strategies from the Man Who Built an Empire. Wiley.
• Bradford, E. (1984). Julius Caesar: The Pursuit of Power. Sutton Publishing.
• Southern, P. (2001). Julius Caesar: A Life. The Overlook Press.
• Plutarch. (2017). The Age of Caesar: Five Roman Lives. Penguin Classics.
• Parenti, M. (2003). The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome. New Press.
• Dando-Collins, S. (2003). Caesar's Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome. John Wiley & Sons.
• Fabre-Serris, J., & Fouéré, D. (2018). Julius Caesar: A Critical Reader. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Stevenson, T. (2015). Julius Caesar and the Transformation of the Roman Republic. Routledge.
• Caesar, J. (1982). The Conquest of Gaul (S. A. Handford, Trans.). Penguin Classics.
• Hölkeskamp, K. J., & Bruun, C. (2017). The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Julius Caesar. Cambridge University Press.

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Julius Caesar Quotes

Quotes or quotations are phrases, sentences , lines, and paragraphs taken from a literary piece. These quotes express universal truths or situations. Some of the best quotes from William Shakespeare ’s Julius Caesar are analyzed below.

Quotes in Julius Caesar

“ Beware the Ides of March .”

Act I, Scene II

Although meant as a warning to Caesar about impending danger to his life on the 15 th of March, this quote shows good use of dramatic irony , in that the audiences know that it is a very important date for Romans, yet the characters do not know it.

 “No Cassius the eye sees not itself But by reflection, by some other things.”

Here Brutus speaks to Cassius, reminding him that what eyes see is not what the person is. In fact, eyes see what others show him to be. In other words, he means that a person does not see himself as he is but by reflections of other people. He also means that identity is formed through social perceptions.

 “Nay, and I tell you that, Ill ne’er look you i’ the face again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”

Casca speaks these lines to Cassius after Cassius asks him about Cicero; he responds that although other people understood and smiled, he could not understand anything. In other words, he means that everything to him was as if spoken in some foreign language. Hence, this phrase has become popular for use when a person does not understand the other person.

 “But ’tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds , scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend.”

Act II, Scene I

Brutus, a confidante of Caesar, speaks these lines to give a raison d’être (justification for existence) to his joining the conspirators. He thinks that humility makes a person compassionate but when a person becomes an authority or wins a good position, he becomes less humble. Therefore, when a person achieves a position, he does not look downward. He means that Caesar has become arrogant since becoming Emperor.

 “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”

Act II, Scene II

Caesar speaks these lines in response to Calpurnia, his wife, who tells him that he should not ignore warnings to his life, including her dream. However, Caesar merely terms it a coward’s act to stay alarmed. He says that a coward dies many times but a valiant person dies only once. Therefore, he does not care about these things.

“Et tu, Brutè? —Then fall, Caesar.”

Act III, Scene I

The conspirators attack Caesar when he is coming out. He sees Brutus among them, too, and questions whether it is Brutus, then says that his death is then predestined. This quote has become a catchphrase to identify a friend-turned-enemy, for Brutus was very close to Caesar before becoming a conspirator and killer.

“–Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”

Act III, Scene II

Brutus tries to justify the killing of Caesar in a very eloquent way, the hallmark of the Romans. He thinks that by equating patriotism to Caesar’s murder, he can exonerate himself from this heinous crime. He means that he loves both but loves his country more than his friend, Caesar.

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones;”

Mark Antony is presenting Caesar’s character in a very ironic way to arouse public suspicion about the culprits. He knows that if he resorts to clearly exposing the assassins, they will tear him apart, too. That is why he is using irony to show the people that goodness of Caesar is going with him in his grave, the reason that he has come to bury him.

“This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart:”

Spoken by Mark Antony, these memorable lines say that when Caesar sees that all his friends have become traitors and have fallen upon him to kill him, then they would have found it easy to vanquish him, for his mighty heart would have burst with this surprise over this ingratitude of the traitors.

“This was the noblest Roman of them all: All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He only, in a general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them:”

Act V, Scene V

Antony again speaks about Caesar and Brutus and says a few words in praise of Brutus despite fighting against him. After killing Brutus, Antony praises him, calling him a fallen hero in that though he was a conspirator, he was also the noblest Roman whom Caesar once trusted.

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A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar

This essay about Julius Caesar’s birth explores the uncertainty surrounding the exact date of this iconic figure’s arrival into the world. Despite conflicting historical accounts, the essay discusses prevalent theories, including the widely accepted birthdate of July 12, 100 BCE. It highlights the challenges historians face in piecing together ancient history and emphasizes Caesar’s enduring legacy despite the ambiguity surrounding his birth. Through a blend of ancient sources and scholarly analysis, the essay sheds light on the enigmatic birth of one of history’s most influential figures.

How it works

Julius Caesar, one of the most iconic figures in ancient history, was born into a world of political upheaval and social change. His birth date, however, remains a subject of scholarly debate, shrouded in the mists of time. While historians have pieced together clues from various sources, the exact date of Caesar’s birth remains elusive, adding an aura of mystery to his already legendary persona.

Scholars generally agree that Julius Caesar was born in the month of July, hence the origin of the month’s name.

However, the precise day and year of his birth are matters of conjecture. The most widely accepted theory places his birth in the year 100 BCE, although some historians argue for alternative dates ranging from 102 BCE to 99 BCE. Unfortunately, the lack of concrete evidence from Caesar’s own time leaves room for speculation, and historians must rely on a patchwork of ancient texts and inscriptions to piece together his early life.

One of the primary sources for information about Julius Caesar’s birth is his own account, as recorded by the Roman historian Suetonius in his work “The Lives of the Twelve Caesars.” According to Suetonius, Caesar was born into a patrician family, the gens Julia, on July 12, 100 BCE. This date has been widely accepted by many scholars and is often cited as the most likely birthdate for the famed statesman and military leader.

However, other ancient sources offer conflicting accounts of Caesar’s birthdate. For instance, the Roman historian Plutarch places Caesar’s birth in 102 BCE, while the Greek historian Appian suggests a later date of 99 BCE. These discrepancies highlight the challenges faced by historians in reconstructing the past, where sources may be incomplete, biased, or outright contradictory.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his birthdate, Julius Caesar’s impact on history is undeniable. From his rise to power as dictator of Rome to his assassination on the Ides of March in 44 BCE, Caesar’s life and legacy have inspired countless works of literature, art, and scholarship. Whether born in 100 BCE, 102 BCE, or 99 BCE, Julius Caesar remains a towering figure whose influence continues to shape our understanding of the ancient world.

In conclusion, while the exact date of Julius Caesar’s birth may never be known with certainty, the impact of his life and deeds reverberates through the annals of history. Whether born in 100 BCE, 102 BCE, or 99 BCE, Caesar’s legacy endures as a testament to the enduring power of ambition, leadership, and political acumen. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the past, Julius Caesar stands as a timeless symbol of human greatness and fallibility.

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"A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar." PapersOwl.com , 12 May 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/a-glance-into-the-birth-of-julius-caesar/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-glance-into-the-birth-of-julius-caesar/ [Accessed: 14 May. 2024]

"A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar." PapersOwl.com, May 12, 2024. Accessed May 14, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/a-glance-into-the-birth-of-julius-caesar/

"A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar," PapersOwl.com , 12-May-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-glance-into-the-birth-of-julius-caesar/. [Accessed: 14-May-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). A Glance into the Birth of Julius Caesar . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-glance-into-the-birth-of-julius-caesar/ [Accessed: 14-May-2024]

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