‘Julius Caesar’ and ‘Henry V’ are plays whose themes are reflective of their respective contextual climates. They were both written in the time of renaissance theatre under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was an avid supporter of Shakespeare’s work. The plays were written consecutively, and they both present historical figures that were greatly idolised in the period in which they were composed. Both history plays convey how, on political scenery, deceit is omnipresent. In Julius Caesar, it is used to bring down the monarchial rule and to ultimately implant a new democratic government, while in Henry V, the King makes use of multiple facets of his personality among which is deceitful behavior in order to conquer France and win over his …show more content…
When Cassius sends the letters that command Brutus to “awake and see thyself!” he makes use of the character’s hamartia and uses it in his favour. It is in fact these letters that ultimately lead Brutus to join the conspiracy, a major step towards the accomplishment of Caesar’s fate. Without the use of deception, it is most likely that Brutus would not fall into Cassius’ power-hungry hands; and without Brutus being in the conspiracy, the events of the play (and of history) would have followed completely different routes, showing the power deception has in certain circumstances. In the end of the play, Cassius shows evidence of stoical thinking , as he finally believes in “the determining power of Fate”, and how his vindictiveness has led to him discovering the “worthy cause of suicide”. Cassius realizes how the most cowardly and catastrophic way to get revenge is in a deceitful way, and after he thinks he has lost Titinius, he realizes the magnitude of what he has done, “O, coward that I am, to live so long…” and finally asks Pindarus to use the sword that killed Caesar to end his life. This signifies how deceit never leads to
Differences in social status, motives, and records of their stories set the stories of Caesar and Christ apart. Despite their similarities, the two famous betrayals had several obvious differences. For starters, Julius Caesar and Jesus Christ may have begun a little low on the social totem pole, but Caesar quickly rose to power and became a member of the highest social class, while Jesus stayed near the bottom, making a living as a carpenter. Caesar lived much of his life in one large power struggle. He may have had a few humble moments, but overall, he was performing one ambitious task after another (Biography.
Deception, defiance and double meanings are what make Shakespeare’s plays the great wonder that they are today. Shakespearian is known as the most poetic, romantic and comic form of play writing, however each play has strong morals and meanings in them. One of Shakespeare’s plays, the Merchant of Venice, focuses of the acts of deception. Some say that none of the characters in the play are seen as ‘kind’ by the end of it, stating that: “Grace, nobility and generosity of spirit are submerged by greed, distrust and ugly prejudice.”
Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, portrays the newly crowned king of England, King Henry V, as a committed, fearless, and relentless leader. France is England’s archenemy and their relationship only worsens after the Dauphin delivers a mocking message to England’s new king. The Dauphin frequently ridicules the English and King Henry, whereas, the King of France, Charles VI, does not underestimate Henry and his people as his son does. (Source B) Throughout the play, the two leaders display their differences in terms of personality, leadership, communication skills, and ethics.
In their introductory scene a discussion is taking place about Caesar's claim to the throne. Through this discussion the audience learns a lot about Cassius and Brutus’s values . It is revealed that Brutus is an honorable man who believes in the general good of mankind. He states, (1.2 84-89)“ What is it that you would impart to me?/ If it be aught toward the general good, / Set honour in one eye and death
At this point in the play, Brutus was making all of the decisions for the conspirators. He would not listen to Cassius when he should have. For example, if they would have killed Antony he would not have had to flee Rome, another thing he should have listened to is that Brutus should not have let Antony make a speech in act 3 scene 2 lines 73-105. Antony was able to use pathos during his speech to turn the people against the conspirators, while Brutus tried using logos. If Brutus would have used a different approach he would not have had the people turn against
In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Cassius is a foil to Marcus Brutus, for Brutus is consistently described as honorable and kind, contrasting the always clever and self-centered, Cassius. Cassius acts as a character who goes against the virtues and weaknesses of the main character. Brutus announces, “Why man, he doth bestride the narrow World like a Colossus, and we pretty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves” (Shakespeare I. 2. 142-145). By appealing to Brutus' feeling of honor and loyalty to Rome, Cassius hopes to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
Most of this play centers around the conspirators in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar, and the main conspirator was Cassius. During the first half of the play Cassius’ main goal was to convince Brutus to betray his best friend Caesar and join the conspiracy. Cassius’ best skill in speaking skill was manipulation; in order to get Brutus on his side Cassius lies and manipulates Brutus by telling stories about Caesars weaknesses and praising Brutus on his honor. Cassius boosts Brutus’ on many occasions, starting his story about Caesar stating, “I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,/ As well as I do know your outward favor./ Well, honor is the subject of my story” (1.2.92-94).
Corruption is defined as dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by powerful people, and just like its definition, corruption and power go hand in hand. The more power a person has, generally, the easier it is for them to be corrupted. Just like in Julius Caesar where power and corruption are very prevalent, and most of the leaders in Julius Caesar became corrupted by their power, but in some rare cases leaders have avoided corruption, these people are very valuable in society, and must not be taken for granted. Just like many other leaders in Julius Caesar, Caesar was corrupted by his power. He wasn’t corrupt in the normal sense, he was socially corrupt in the fact that he didn’t stick to the social norms of respecting fellow senators in
After the conspiracy he is considered a murderer and flees his own country, eventually committing suicide. “I would not Cassius, yet I love him well.” (I.II.83), “I killed not thee with half so good a will.” Dies (V.V.51). These two quotes strongly highlight Brutus ' change throughout the play.
Unfortunately, Cassius uses Brutus’ altruistic characteristic and devout loyalty against him by sending fake letters with concerns regarding the crowning of Caesar for Brutus to read and be persuaded to join the conspirators. Cassius’ manipulation of Brutus serves as an example of how Shakespeare
Cassius saves the life of Caesar, sees him beg for water, and witnesses his epileptic seizure. From these weaknesses, Cassius finds himself to be just as worthy of the crown as is Caesar. His reasons are emotionally tied to getting rid of Caesar, Brutus chooses to become a conspirator for the good of Rome. He does not know how Caesar will use his power.
He was unable to see through the fake letters that are supposedly written by the people of Rome, but in reality are being written as a scam from Cassius. Brutus interpreted these letters as a protest against Caesar. He believed the people of Rome were telling him their desires through this letter, he tries to resolve this by listening to the societies challenge to “speak, strike, redress” (II.i.47). Reading these letters from “random citizens” it is what finally pushes him over the edge.
Cassius wants Brutus to think that if Throughout the play Julius Caesar, written by William shakespeare, Cassius uses manipulation to form his group of conspirators and make them perform his biddings. Most importantly, Cassius turns Brutus, one of Caesar’s greatest friends, to his side through various creative tactics. Body 1: During the Feast of Lupercal, Cassius pulls Brutus aside to begin his manipulative plan. Cassius explains to Brutus that “Men are sometimes masters of their fates”. They have the potential to change their future.
This hyperbolic allusion towards the King once more raises the King above common people, beckoning the audience, both contemporary and of the contextual era to know the power and strength Henry held. While profoundly restrictive in the variety of voices projected, Shakespeare’s Henry V provides a window into the values and beliefs of the time, especially those central to leadership, war and royalty as a concept. By guiding the easily malleable beliefs and imaginations of the common