Jorge 2
Kenneth Jorge
Professor Richard Salerno
Global 1H Period H
20 May 2018
Fourth Quarter Project
The play Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, was based on the actual historical events that occurred during the rule of Julius Caesar and is said to be written in 1599. Julius Caesar was a Roman statesman, military general, and dictator, whose life had an influential impact on the downfall of the Roman Republic. Shakespeare’s play portrays the events that led to the eventual murder of Caesar by Marcus Brutus and Cassius, two conspirators who led a revolt against Caesar’s power. The life of Julius Caesar caused many conflicts in Rome and an end to the Republic. Caesar’s success caused people to resent his ambition.
Many historic events led to the murder of Julius Caesar and the eventual fall of the Roman Republic. From 61-60 BC, Caesar was governor of the Roman province of Spain. In Rome in 60 BC, Caesar made a pact with Pompey and he helped him to be elected as counsel in 59, and he was appointed as governor of Roman Gaul in 58. According to BBC.com, he stayed there for 8 years and added France and Belgium to the empire, and later made two voyages two Britain. Caesar returned to Rome with his army and faced the republican forces that were led by Pompey. “Caesar then returned to Italy, disregarding the authority of the Senate and famously crossing the Rubicon river without disbanding his army. In the ensuing civil war, Caesar defeated the republican forces” (BBC.com). Caesar had much success as a general and is said to be one of the greatest military generals ever, by many historians. Most of the people of Rome admired and worshipped Caesar like he was their king because of his successes. He had much success and this caused certain people to resent his ambition.
One message displayed by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar is that jealousy can drive a person to do anything. At the beginning of the play, Flavius and Murellus, two bystanders, wonder why the people of Rome are celebrating. A cobbler tells them that they are celebrating Caesar’s triumphs. The cobbler says, “Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get myself into more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph” (Act One. Scene One). In the second scene of Act One, Cassius is jealous and tries to convince Brutus that Caesar isn’t worthy enough to be a king. He later even writes fake letters to Brutus as if they were written by Romans. The letters said that they wanted Brutus to take over and rule as a king. The letters convince Brutus to try to take away power from Caesar. A message that William Shakespeare tries to convey in his play is that jealousy can drive a person to do crazy things. This relates to the history of Julius Caesar because his success drove other people like Cassius and Brutus to become jealous of his ambition.
There was much history involved in the death of Julius Caesar, his successes and the legacy he left behind. In 45 BC, Caesar was made dictator for life, and this would have an eternal impact on Roman history. On the Ides of March of 44 BC, Julius Caesar was murdered by the conspirators led by Brutus, Caesar’s adopted son. After his death, a group of middle and lower-class Romans turned into a mob at his funeral and attacked Brutus and Cassius’s homes. Caesar’s great-grandnephew, Gaius Octavian raised an army and fought the troops of Brutus and Cassius, working with Marc Antony at first. “He then had to fight Antony who had teamed up with Cleopatra to make Egypt a base from which to take over Rome. They were defeated and Octavian became the first Roman emperor, taking the name Augustus” (History.com). Caesar’s life and death had an immense impact on Roman history. Today, he is not only remembered for his success, but for the events that took place up to his death and followed. Caesar’s death caused more conflicts than when he was in power to begin with.
William Shakespeare also displays the message in his play that the life of one person can have a hugely significant influence on history. In Act 3 and Scene 1 of the play, Julius Caesar is killed. Brutus says, “People and senators, be not affrighted. Fly not. Stand still. Ambition’s debt is paid” (Act Three. Scene One). Brutus is saying that Caesar had to die for his ambition. The plebeians were devastated by the death of Caesar and wanted answers. “We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!” (Act Three. Scene Two). The people of Rome were surprised about Caesar’s death. Shakespeare’s play later explains to us the events that took place while Marc Antony rallied the people of Rome against the conspirators. The conspirators did not realize how much of a big deal Caesar was. Caesar’s death sparked war and death in Rome. This relates to the history of Caesar because there were so many consequences that came after Caesar died because his life was of so much importance. Julius Caesar’s life was something of top importance in history.
A revolt was led against Julius Caesar by the conspirators. This was because of his success. Jealousy played a big role in the history and story of Caesar. Caesar’s life was also of much importance. This caused many tensions in the Roman empire. Who would’ve thought the life of one person would be so influential?
Works Cited
“Julius Caesar.” History TV, www.history.co.uk/biographies/julius-caesar.
“History – Julius Caesar.” BBC, BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/caesar_julius.shtml.