Plot overview of Julius Caesar-
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and a highly successful leader of Rome who lived between 100 B.C. to 44 B.C. His popularity seems to model that of a king’s. After winning several wars, Julius Caesar became very popular and powerful. When he was offered the crown by Mark Antony; he refused the crown but still it was decided that Caesar had to be the king. Some people were jealous of Caesar’s growing power and feared that he might become a dictator. Cassius starts a conspiracy to murder Caesar. He wins over Brutus in this conspiracy because Brutus is the most trusted and respected in Rome. The next morning, despite his wife Calpurnia’s request, Caesar travels to the Senate House where the conspirators assassinate him. After the assassination of Caesar, one of his friends; Antony; succeeds in motivating people to raise a revolt against Cassius and Brutus. The people of Rome understand the reality and take the revenge of the death of their hero Julius Caesar.
Â
Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson/ Analysis of Julius Caesar
There are several points which can be said to be the theme of the play. Here we are giving a few key lines which need to be well understood by the readers
THEME 1. The qualities of a good leader is one of the play’s important themes. Julius Caesar had a few of them like wanting the welfare of public, determination, justice etc. while he lacked a few like he got angry easily, he believed anyone easily, he could not recognize the conspiracy against him so theme one is well explained by this.
Theme 2. Friendship is another major theme in the play. Antony proved to be a real friend and took avenge for his friend.Brutus who tried to prove himself a real well wisher of Rome was also cheated in friendship. So friendship is well discussed in the play by taking mainly the examples of Brutus and Antony.
Theme 3. One of the most sensitive issues in the play is suicide. Committing suicide is also an another important part of the play asthis is a tragic play and the murderers and sufferers committed suicide. It has been clearly shown in the play that how committing suicide can play an important part in any play.
- The role of fate and superstition is another theme. Men at some time are masters of their fates:Â
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,Â
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
That’s what Cassius says to Brutus as the two contemplate removing Caesar from power. Although Cassius claims that men are “masters of their fates” as a way to motivate the conspirators to action against Caesar, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest he’s wrong. The play is full of omens and prophesies that come true, which undermines the sense that characters can exercise free will and shape the outcomes of their lives.
