Major Characters
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Caesar
Analysis of Julius Caesar's Character
What is revealed about Caesar's character in the Exposition?
Brutus
He is a nobleman; he is from Nobel ancestors. In the beginning, he supposed to be Caesar's friend. Cassius said about Brutus "Thy honourable mettle may be wrought." It shows that Brutus's nature is compared to a metal that can be shaped, which means that Brutus's nature can be manipulated. This describes his Tragic Flaw. Moreover, Casca said, "O, he sits high in all people's hearts/ Like richest alchemy." He means that Brutus's character is like an alchemy, which is a process that turns metal into gold. Brutus is loved and respected by all people.
Brutus's character is made even more complex by his unconscious hypocrisy. He has conflicting attitudes toward the conspiracy, but he becomes more favorable following his becoming a member of the plot against Caesar. He attacks Cassius for raising money dishonestly and demanding a portion, "Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself/ Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm,/ To sell and mart your offices for gold/ To undeservers." Nevertheless, at the end, Brutus is a man who nobly accepts his fate. He dismisses the ghost of Caesar at Sardis. He chooses personal honor over a strict adherence to an abstract philosophy. He reacts calmly and reasonably to Cassius' death, as he had earlier in a moment of crisis when Popilius revealed that the conspiracy was no longer secret. In his last moments, he has the satisfaction of being certain in his own mind that he has been faithful to the principles embodying the honor and nobility on which he has placed so much value throughout his life.
Cassius
William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar depicts a very tactful persona who develops the course of the play. Perhaps Cassius posterior motives come from being covetous and jealous of Caesar. To clarify, he conjures up a vivid image by comparing Caesar to Colossus "Like a Colossus, and we petty men." In this sense, he believes that Caesar towers above the world and the other people walk under his huge legs. He also has triggered how Caesar is about to drown, acting like a "sick girl." Clearly, enough Cassius's negative aspect has driven him to become an assassin. Moreover, it is quite obvious that Cassius has the ability to perceive the true motives of men and to insight their true nature, he was described by Caesar that "He reads much/ He is a great observer and he looks." That is to say that Cassius is a far-sighted and intelligent to a higher extent. He said to Brutus "You know what you do. Do not consent/ That Antony speak in his funeral./ Know you how much the people may be mov'd/ by that which he will utter?" He knows that Antony has the ability to turn people against them. In addition to Brutus, he manipulates Casca to bring him into the plot. To illustrate, he explains how Cicero
Antony
Antony is Loyal to Caesar. He is a good friend to him. He is an athlete. He loves Music and art. He is a passionate man. Antony has a lot of good qualities that make him a better all-around politician—and replacement for Caesar—than either Brutus or Cassius. Most of these qualities were mentioned by Cassius when he said: “We should find of him/ A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means,/ If he improve them, may well stretch so far/ As to annoy us all.” Cassius said that Antony is a “Shrewd contriver” which means that he is an intelligent manipulator. He also stated that Antony has means -which is army and intelligence- if he stretches them, he will be dangerous for them. He is a good orator. This appears in his speech at Caesar’s funeral. He succeeded in manipulating common by his words. He also succeeded in returning them against the conspirators Brutus and Cassius.
In addition to all these good qualities, Antony is a farsighted character who prophesied civil war in Rome as a revenge to Caesar.
Surprisingly, Antony is not the perfect character of the play. This is clear in Act 4, Scene 1 as it shows the ugly face of Antony as a politician. To exemplify, he considers his servant Lepidus as a property, as well as cutting money from the poor to spend it in the army.
Antony's speech at Caesar's Funeral:
Analysis of Julius Caesar's Character
Caesar's part in the play is small in comparison with those of Brutus, Cassius, and Antony, and he cannot therefore reveal himself fully in his speeches and actions .A good deal of what the audience learn about him emerge from the remarks of the men, whose opinions differ widely; and in piecing together the impression that Shakespeare wishes us to form of him, we must depend to some degree on passing remarks, hints, and implications. One must also try to differentiate between reliable and prejudiced judgment on the part of those who speak of him.
What is revealed about Caesar's character in the Exposition?
Although Caesar does not appear in the opening scene, the two officials; Marullus and Flavius, and the commoners mention Caesar constantly in their conversation. The commoners celebrate the triumph of Caesar over Pompey's sons. In other terms, they support Caesar. On the other hand, the two officials hate Caesar, and they blame the common people for rejoicing in Caesar's victory. Marullus states that Caesar does not bring any conquests to Rome ''Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? What tributaries follow him to Rome." To summarize, the officials are against Caesar, whereas the mobs are in favour of him. The introductory scene ends with a significant metaphor related to Caesar. He is compared to a soaring bird, and the common people are the feathers. Flavius and Marullus want to take these feathers away, so Caesar will be like any ordinary bird cannot fly highly "These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing \ Will make him fly an ordinary pitch." Consequently, Marullus and Flavius decide to strip off the decorations that glorify the success of Caesar. If Caesar soars above the view of men, then everyone will be a slave ''Who else would soar above the view of men, and keep us all in servile fearfulness.''
First Entrance of Caesar
Caesar appears in Act1 Scene2 in which the audience knows more about him. In fact, he is powerful. To exemplify, he gives orders and they have to be performed'' When Caesar says ''do this,' it is perform'd''. In addition, when Caesar speaks, everyone has to listen to him without uttering even a word ''Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.'' It is worthy to mention that Caesar is superstitious, when the matter is not related to him. To illustrate, he orders Antony to touch Calpurnia, for wise men say that women who are childless will lose their barrenness by one who runs this race on the Lupercal feast day. Later on, a soothsayer appears and warns Caesar of the ides of March. However, Caesar does not give him much attention, and affirms that the soothsayer is a dreamer ''He is a dreamer; let us leave him." This also can be interpreted as he is too proud to show his fear.
Caesar's Physical Power
Cassius compares Caesar to ''a Colossus'' and they ''walk under his huge legs.'' He also compares Caesar to a wolf, and the Romans are sheep. It can be said that Caesar is farsightedness. He wants fat men to be in his company, as they are comfortable looking heads; men who look as if they can sleep peacefully ''Let me have men about me that are fat; sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights.'' Conversely, Caesar thinks that thin people like Cassius are not only hungry for food, but for power. He realizes that Cassius does not have these qualities, so he is dangerous. However, Caesar stresses the fact that he does not fear anyone even Cassius ''For always I am Caesar." Caesar is intelligent. This is shown when Antony offers him a crown three times, and he refuses it each time. He wants to show the common people that he has no lust for power. Consequently, he will gain much support.
Decius persuades Caesar to go to the Capitol by flattery. He explains that there different ways to hunt animals, and one sufficient method to manipulate Caesar which is addressing his ego. Indeed, he manages to persuade Caesar to leave his palace by flattery. It is ironic as Caesar affirms that sweet words do not have any impact on him. In other terms, he is constant as ''the northern star'' and ''Olympus.''
If one considers Caesar as a tragic hero, his over confidence will be his tragic flaw ''Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence." In his view, he is terrible than even danger itself. He and danger are like two lions born on the same day, and he is the older.
Caesar's Significant Words on Fate and Death
(His words highlight a little bit of his faith)
It is impossible to avoid anything that has been decreed by the might gods.
Cowards die many times before their deaths; but brave mean taste death only once.
Brutus
He is a nobleman; he is from Nobel ancestors. In the beginning, he supposed to be Caesar's friend. Cassius said about Brutus "Thy honourable mettle may be wrought." It shows that Brutus's nature is compared to a metal that can be shaped, which means that Brutus's nature can be manipulated. This describes his Tragic Flaw. Moreover, Casca said, "O, he sits high in all people's hearts/ Like richest alchemy." He means that Brutus's character is like an alchemy, which is a process that turns metal into gold. Brutus is loved and respected by all people.Brutus's character is made even more complex by his unconscious hypocrisy. He has conflicting attitudes toward the conspiracy, but he becomes more favorable following his becoming a member of the plot against Caesar. He attacks Cassius for raising money dishonestly and demanding a portion, "Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself/ Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm,/ To sell and mart your offices for gold/ To undeservers." Nevertheless, at the end, Brutus is a man who nobly accepts his fate. He dismisses the ghost of Caesar at Sardis. He chooses personal honor over a strict adherence to an abstract philosophy. He reacts calmly and reasonably to Cassius' death, as he had earlier in a moment of crisis when Popilius revealed that the conspiracy was no longer secret. In his last moments, he has the satisfaction of being certain in his own mind that he has been faithful to the principles embodying the honor and nobility on which he has placed so much value throughout his life.
Cassius
William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar depicts a very tactful persona who develops the course of the play. Perhaps Cassius posterior motives come from being covetous and jealous of Caesar. To clarify, he conjures up a vivid image by comparing Caesar to Colossus "Like a Colossus, and we petty men." In this sense, he believes that Caesar towers above the world and the other people walk under his huge legs. He also has triggered how Caesar is about to drown, acting like a "sick girl." Clearly, enough Cassius's negative aspect has driven him to become an assassin. Moreover, it is quite obvious that Cassius has the ability to perceive the true motives of men and to insight their true nature, he was described by Caesar that "He reads much/ He is a great observer and he looks." That is to say that Cassius is a far-sighted and intelligent to a higher extent. He said to Brutus "You know what you do. Do not consent/ That Antony speak in his funeral./ Know you how much the people may be mov'd/ by that which he will utter?" He knows that Antony has the ability to turn people against them. In addition to Brutus, he manipulates Casca to bring him into the plot. To illustrate, he explains how Antony
Antony is Loyal to Caesar. He is a good friend to him. He is an athlete. He loves Music and art. He is a passionate man. Antony has a lot of good qualities that make him a better all-around politician—and replacement for Caesar—than either Brutus or Cassius. Most of these qualities were mentioned by Cassius when he said: “We should find of him/ A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means,/ If he improve them, may well stretch so far/ As to annoy us all.” Cassius said that Antony is a “Shrewd contriver” which means that he is an intelligent manipulator. He also stated that Antony has means -which is army and intelligence- if he stretches them, he will be dangerous for them. He is a good orator. This appears in his speech at Caesar’s funeral. He succeeded in manipulating common by his words. He also succeeded in returning them against the conspirators Brutus and Cassius. In addition to all these good qualities, Antony is a farsighted character who prophesied civil war in Rome as a revenge to Caesar.
Surprisingly, Antony is not the perfect character of the play. This is clear in Act 4, Scene 1 as it shows the ugly face of Antony as a politician. To exemplify, he considers his servant Lepidus as a property, as well as cutting money from the poor to spend it in the army.
Antony's speech at Caesar's Funeral:
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