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Julius Caesar was born on the thirteenth day of the month Quintilis in the year of 100 BC. His full name is Gaius Julius Caesar, the same as his father s. Gaius is his given name and Julius is his surname. He was a strong political and military leader who changed the history of the Greek-Roman world.
Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, and the other Senators hold the power to do things others can not. Though all once were friends, this authority causes loss of honor and ability to use good judgment. In William Shakespeare s play Julius Caesar the theme of power, and corruption of honor, is portrayed thoroughly. Murder, treason, and moral corruption are three oblivious themes that proved the overall topic of power equaling corruption of honor. In Julius Caesar, corruption leads to dangerous outcomes, such as death. The senators are one of the many who are corrupted, and even took it to such an extreme link as death.
Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar! (Shakespeare 3. 1. 77). The last words of noble Caesar can be heard, as Brutus, the last of the conspirators, took a plunge at Caesar with his knife. Caesar laying there on the senate floor, illustrates the murderous intentions of the senators. Liberty! Freedom!
Tyranny is dead! /Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets (Shakespeare 3. 1. 78 - 79). The sounds of the pompous conspirators can be heard about the streets. Caesar is dead and they are proud of it. Would this have taken place if the conspirators are not of high rank, such as senators?
Probably not. Simple townspeople do not have the power, and could not even bare to think of murdering someone as noble as Caesar. Cassius and the other Senators have the power to, and do commit murder. Brutus though, did not think of it as murder. People and senators, be affrighted. / Fly not; standstill ambition s debt has been paid (Shakespeare 3. 1. 82 - 83). Brutus announces this so he can convince the people as well as himself that what he has done is not murder, but justice for Rome.
Brutus has pure intentions and whether the other senators do or do not, does not make a difference. Power is abused, murder is committed, and corruption of honor has taken place. There are many forms of corruption caused by power in this play, one of which is treason. If even a single whisper of assassinating someone with a high rank is heard, you get thrown in jail.
An example of this is when Cassius and the other conspirators discuss their plan to kill Caesar and Mark Antony: Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet, Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to annoy us all; which to prevent, Let Antony and Caesar fall together (Shakespeare 2. 1. 155 - 161). In this situation Cassius has a conversation about killing Mark Antony as well as Caesar. This is a form of Treason. Cassius would never have said such things if he did not have the power to. Being a senator he feels he has the right to decide what was good for Rome.
He not only says this for Rome, but for himself as well. If Caesar had become King, he would be able to get ride of Cassius. This thought does not please Cassius. Casca, you are the first to that rears your hand (Shakespeare 3. 1. 30). This is another point in the story where treason is committed. It took place in the Senate House, as Caesar approached.
Cassius and the other senators discuss how Casca would attack Caesar first. This power causes them to lose all honorable aspects of themselves and commit the act of treason. Moral corruption was a trait mainly held by Brutus. In the play Julius Caesar, an example of this is: That s all I seek; And am moreover suit or that I may Produce his body to the market-place, And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral (Shakespeare 3. 1. 22 - 229). In this quote Brutus allows Mark Antony to speak to the people at Caesar s funeral. Cassius objects to this proposal.
Brutus ignores his warnings and demands that Antony is allowed to speak. Brutus does this because he has the power to make decisions. The other senators do not disagree with him. He is the most respected and honorable senator.
They need Brutus support, so they do not want to agitate him. Another instance of Brutus having poor judgment is, You say you are a better solider: /Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, /And it shall please me well. For mine own part, /I shall be glad to learn of noble men (Shakespeare 4. 3. 51 - 54). In this quote Brutus argues with Cassius about sending their troops to Philippi. Brutus feels they should send the troops because they have the larger army.
Cassius feels this is a bad idea. Even though Cassius has the better judgment, and more experience as a soldier, Brutus seems to ignore him. Cassius feels that Brutus has made a bad decision, but says no more about it and agrees with him. In the end Brutus leads the troops to Phillips.
He holds the power to make final decisions, because the senators need his honorable reputation. Brutus poor judgment led the army to their death. Poor judgment may seem as a harmless form of corruption, but the consequences were not so. Power and corruption of honor seems to go hand in hand in the play Julius Caesar. When authority is held, loss of honor isn t far to follow. The murder of Caesar is very tragic, and holds it s outcome to treason and betrayal.
Though most characters seemed to be friends with Caesar, their greed for power showed to be stronger then their friendship. Poor decisions by people is corruption as well, when it is abused by power. Moral corruption has disastrous outcomes also. The result of any type of corruption is anything but pretty, especially when dealing with power. Whether it be murder, treason, or moral corruption, power truly does corrupt ones honor.
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