Corruption In Julius Caesar Essay

Lord Acton, a great historian and politician, once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” Clearly Acton echoed William Shakespeare, as this theme was portrayed in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, complacency amongst civilians, mutiny, and struggles for power plague the ancient city of Rome, all of which are deeply rooted in the corruption surrounding the government at the time. Shakespeare ultimately reveals that power corrupts, not only the individual who has it, but the society without.

Corruption or the abuse of power is evident in the story of Julius Caesar, as it’s often mentioned by the characters, and is the center of the tragedy. Cassius, throughout
and consistently is vocal about his opinions on Caesar, going so far as to say,“I know where I will wear this dagger then/Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius” (1.3.95-96) when suggested that Caesar could be king. He, along with Casca would rather commit suicide than to allow Caesar to, “be a tyrant then” (1.3.110). This scene portrays, not only the corruption of Caesar, but the deceptive, yet still worrisome actions of Cassius. In this, Shakespeare reveals, both how troublesome an absolute monarch would be for Rome through a grim conversation, but also how manipulative and ill-intentioned the one hoping to replace him is. Another clear show of corruption comes from Antony’s conversation with Octavius, later on in the play. “This is a slight unmeritable man,/ Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit/ The three-fold world divided, he should stand/ One of the three to share it?” (4.1.15-19), Antony questioned in regards to Lepidus. Although Lepidus was impressioned to have power and place in the new, post-Caesar Rome, Antony discredits and belittles him to obsoletism with four simple lines. This act gives Antony the same power-hungry and manipulative characteristic that Cassius has, showing that no matter who is in charge, the leadership of Rome will be laced with corruption.
Complacency amongst civilians further proves the theme of corruption in Julius Caesar.
Without any power, a society tends to become irrational, indecisive and flavorless. This ideal is portrayed in all scenes including plebeians, whether through direct or indirect characterization. The premiering scene portrayed Marullus and Flavius along the streets, scolding commoners for being hypocrites. “You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!/O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,/Knew you not Pompey?” (1.1.27-29) was proclaimed by Marullus, in protest of Caesars’ celebrations. This reveals that the common people of Rome are easily swayed, as they cheered for Caesar defeating his predecessor, after recently cheering for Pompey himself. An exquisite example of the citizens’ complacency comes from the Third Plebeian. He states,“The noble Brutus is ascended: silence” (3.2.14) but yet, after a short speech from Antony regarding the conspirators, he claims, “There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony”( 3.2.96). Furthermore, when attending to Caesar,“We are bless’d that Rome is rid of him”(3.2.48) stated the citizens, only to later say, “They were villains, murderers” (3.2.135) merely for doing the very “ridding” they praised! Complicity and irrationality are portrayed by the violent outburst, “Revenge!—About!—Seek!—Burn!/Fire!—Kill!—Slay! Let not a traitor live” (3.2.183-184) from the citizens, once Antony’s speech is
through.