Rome has been a republic since 509 B.C. This republic had replaced a monarchy. For this reason Caesar had been murdered; he was thought to have become too powerful. He was pushing for a dictatorship. Some members of the senate had stepped in and prevented his absolute power. This is just one of the reasons why Caesar would not be the best ruler of Rome; he had been too power-hungry. Antony had been just as bad as Caesar. He was his right-hand man and knew what Caesar had been up to at all times. When Caesar had died, he knew the first thing he would do if he was spared. Antony would get revenge. Rome now needs a ruler, and between Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, and Marcus Brutus, there is only one choice. Rome would be best off …show more content…
Brutus describes Caesar with this quote: “But he was ambitious” (III, ii, 21). Also, Caesar accepts bribes in another quote by Brutus “But for supporting robbers, shall we now contaminate our fingers with base bribes, and sell the mighty space of our large honors for so much trash as may be graspéd thus” (IV, iii, 23-26). Caesar also thinks of himself as “immortal” (I, ii, 60), described here by Cassius, even if sarcastically. One that is power-hungry, short-tempered (even if by disease), thinks he is indomitable, and ambitious does not qualify for a good leader in a republic. Marcus Antonius is Caesar’s second in command. Everything that Caesar knows, Antony probably knows as well. He may only be Caesar’s “arm” in the scheme of things, but once the head is chopped off, he takes full advantage and replaces the head. He easily and quickly convinces the people of Rome to be against Brutus and the conspirators (III, ii, 63-185). Antony had promised not to speak badly of the conspirators earlier, but once Brutus lets him speak alone, he quickly makes his point clear with the crowd. This sneakiness and deceit are just a few reasons why Marc Antony would not make a good ruler of Rome. Also, he is familiar with Caesar and his ways, and he could become the next Caesar. This is the main reason why Antony would not be Rome’s best ruler. Marcus Brutus, as described by Antony, “was the noblest
Marc Antony is known in the play as the right hand man of Julius Caesar. After the death of Caesar, Antony is outraged and sad about the death of his dear friend. He wants revenge with the conspirators for what they have done. He asks Brutus, knowing he is an honorable
Antony was looked down upon by all the conspirators except for Brutus. They wanted to kill Antony as well as Caesar because they feared that he would become as powerful as him and possibly a dictator. Brutus persuaded the others not to add to the assassination by saying, "And for Mark Antony, think not of him: for he can do no more than Caesar's arm when Caesar's head is off"(2.1.181-183). Brutus underestimated Antony and perceived him as a person who didn't always take life seriously, couldn't have a serious nature and therefore, not a thinker. Brutus continued to argue with Cassius who did not believe him. "Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him. If he love Caesar, all that he can do is to himself -- take thought and die for Caesar. And that were much he should, for he is given to sports, to wildness, and much company (2.1.185-189). Brutus judged him as being frivolous, and simply liking sport and partying, with a reputation for womanizing. Unfortunately for Brutus and the conspirators he was respected by Caesar and so simply couldn't be ignored.
The topic of leadership in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar has been discussed and argued ever since the play was written. The most prevalent discussion of leadership in the play revolves around Shakespeare’s tragic hero, Marcus Brutus, and the cause of his downfall. According to Shakespeare critic James Bundy, “Brutus... is a man whose affections sway more than his reason, in whom there is this tragic confederacy of passion and imagination against reason” (qtd. in Palmer 402). Ernest Shanzer, however, says that Brutus is “by no means devoid of political shrewdness and practical wisdom”, but he is a “bad judge of character” (Shanzer 1). Although both critics’ descriptions of Brutus have merit, Brutus’ shortcoming, as well as the success of the opposing leader, Mark Antony, is more accurately explained using the observations of Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince. In this book Machiavelli outlines the characteristics of a successful leader. When using The Prince as a lens to read Julius Caesar, the correlation between a leader’s Machiavellianism and their success becomes very apparent. Marcus Brutus is undoubtedly an honorable and respectable man, but his morality prevents him from adhering to Machiavelli’s principles. Due to his lack of princely virtues, Brutus is doomed to fail, while Antony, a much more Machiavellian prince, successfully seizes power.
'I came, I saw, I conquered.' These are the words of the man who changed the history of the world. This paper will show how no other man in the history of the world represented military and political power better than Julius Caesar. He became a legend for his military exploits and great leadership ability.
Julius Caesar was a strong leader for the Romans who changed the course of the history of the Greco - Roman world decisively and irreversibly. With his courage and strength he created a strong empire. What happened during his early political career? How did he become such a strong dictator of the Roman Empire? What events led up to the making of the first triumvirate? How did he rise over the other two in the triumvirate and why did he choose to take over? What happened during his reign as dictator of Rome? What events led up to the assassination of Caesar? What happened after he was killed? Caesar was a major part of the Roman Empire because of his strength and his strong war strategies. Julius Caesar was a
In the determination of whether Julius Caesar was an intelligent, political hero or an egocentric, dictating villain, it is important to look at all of the facts. Born in 100 B.C.E. and assassinated in 44 B.C.E., Julius Caesar was legendary. He along Pompey, and Crassus created the first unofficial Triumvirate which was negotiated to appease both the Roman citizens and the power hungry rivals. Still, this agreement would not last long. After Pompey’s wife, Julia Caesar and daughter of Caesar’s daughter given to Pompey to establish the Trimvirate, dies in childbirth, civil war breaks out as Caesar leads his army against Rome. He fights until Pompey is murdered in Egypt. As Rome is “shattered,” Julius Caesar one person should rule. He
I am happy to be here today. Mark Antony should be the ruler of Rome because he is loyal. Mark Antony is not a traitor. He has been loyal to caesar even after his death and he can be loyal to you as well if you remain loyal to him for loyalty is everything. He will make sure that the unequal treatment between the rich and the poor no longer exists in this country (pathos) .When Mark Antony makes a decision he never changes his mind and that is one of the qualities of a good leader.
The noblest Roman of them all, according to Marc Antony, is in fact Brutus. Brutus is one of Caesars assassins, and now dead under Antony's feet. It is ironic, because Antony had raised the army which had Brutus destroyed.
In the play Julius Caesar, several people compete to be the leader of Rome. Cassius and other conspirators are jealous of Caesar, and they want to kill him for revenge. Brutus doesn’t want to be part of the conspiracy, but is tricked into becoming a head member, due to his strong leadership qualities of honor, trustworthiness, and patriotism. Brutus loves the republic, but is tricked into believing Caesar would hurt the republic. Brutus would be an effective leader because he exhibits honor, trustworthiness, and patriotism.
Ever wondered what it takes to be a good king or ruler? Julius Caesar is one of the most famous rulers of all time. He was one of Rome’s greatest and most powerful leaders. His changes to the empire helped take Rome to new levels of success. The life of Caesar was short, yet great. It is important to learn about this great man and his many accomplishments.
In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare shows how friends often betray each other. Julius Caesar is about to be crowned king of Rome, when some well-known Romans decide that it is not a good idea for this to happen. They form a conspiracy and kill Caesar. Brutus, an honorable Roman and a very good friend of Caesar’s, betrays Caesar by killing him for the good of Rome. Antony, Caesar’s best friend and another honorable Roman, betrays Brutus by turning against the conspirators. Cassius, a respected Roman, and Brutus betray each other by arguing and destroying their friendship. All this betraying lead to many deaths in the play.
Julius Caesar is and was one of the most influential people in history. He created laws, stuck wars, and developed new strategies for leadership and battles. "Caesar is widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, as well as a brilliant politician and one of the ancient world's strongest leaders (Julius Caesar pg.1)." He transformed the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire and he extended his land all the way through Gaul to The Atlantic Ocean, as well as fighting a civil war and being proclaimed as dictator for life.
There have been many rulers in history who have been betrayed by those they trust, but The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare,1959) still holds a special place in Western literature as one of the most enigmatic human beings to ever exist. Powerful men like Julius Caesar shaped the life and times of the late Roman Republic, just before Rome would officially become the Roman Empire on the crowning of Augustus as the first Roman emperor. Julius Caesar was a powerful general who expanded Rome's power and who was beloved by the people for his generous charity after his successful conquests. Despite knowing the story of Julius Caesar to some extent, most 16th/17th century English would not have ever visited Rome, nor would know what the Roman Republic was like, which presented a unique opportunity to William Shakespeare to create a play unlike any other he had created before. (Shakespeare Julius Caesar, 1599) Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a reimagining of Rome from a Elizabethan point of view, and despite some inaccuracies, the play depicts an enlightening view on Roman life, and the life of the Roman general, Julius Caesar.
Both potential rulers of Rome have different backgrounds. Marc Antony was a general and battle-experienced commander. He served during the conquest of Gaul (58-50 BC) and the Great Roman Civil war (49-45 BC). Antony, however, lacked political knowledge and was not able to efficiently debate against his opponents. One of his most memorable moments was the speech after Caesar’s assassination where Antony claimed himself as a true follower of Caesar’s politics. Octavius, on the other hand, was 19 on the moment of Caesar’s death and did not have any leadership experience. Yet, he was very crafty politician and could manipulate people’s opinions. Many Romans had hopes for Caesar’s bloodline relative, yet there were those who opposed the Caesar’s regime and would not like to see his successor on the throne.