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Julius Caesar Fate And Free Will Essay

Decent Essays

It is said that – in essence – what one believes is what they will become. Throughout the play, Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare explores the controversial topic of destiny and the extent of how fate and free will work together in one’s life. Early in the play, Caius Cassius, one of the conspirators, persuades Brutus into joining the conspiracy in saying, “Men at sometimes were masters of their fates/The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/But in ourselves that we are underlings,” (Shakespeare. Julius Caesar 1.2.140). Cassius argues that there is no such thing as fate, but by overcoming the odds with determination, one has the power to control their own destiny. Though Cassius’ contention is not entirely wrong, Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of decisions made by free will affecting fate through Brutus and Casca’s agreement in joining the conspiracy, Caesar ignoring the soothsayer’s Ides of March prophecy, and Cassius’ decision in killing himself when he thought Titinus had …show more content…

After Brutus sends Cassius off to fight in Philippi, Cassius orders Titinius to check if the opposition was an ally or an enemy with his slave, Pindarus to report. When Pindarus returns, he tells Cassius that Titinus was surrounded by the men. Although, Cassius fails on his part because he fatally assumes that Titinus was killed and that they had lost when actually, the soldiers – their friends – were celebrating Brutus’ victory over Octavius’ army. Cassius foolishly accepts his ‘fate’ and tells Pindarus to kill him with Caesar’s sword. Cassius’ inability to make good decisions and think for himself lead him to an unnecessary death brought by the power of free will, not fate. Had Cassius not been overdramatic and actually confirmed Titinus’ death, he would not have faced death as quickly as he

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