Examples Of Ambition In Julius Caesar

Shular 1
Larissa Shular
Mrs.Bartnik
ENG1D1
3 June 2014
The Disastrous Affects of Ambitious Men Ambition is a powerful characteristic. However, it is the way an individual chooses to use this characteristic that may unfavorably alter the end result. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, ambition is truly taken to its full potential with the help of several characters and their desire for power and control. Julius Caesar, hungry for almighty rule, will do absolutely anything to achieve his goal. Also, Mark Antony, enraged over Caesar’s murder, will go to any length to acquire dominance. Within the play Julius Caesar, the theme of ambition is developed through the following characters: Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
Julius Caesar demonstrates that desire for ones goal may become a weakness.
First, ambitious men can be easily convinced when bribed with something they most desire. This is first demonstrated when Decius is encouraging Caesar to go to the capitol, adding to his alluring that if Caesar go, he may be given the crown. Caesar then replies “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia, I am ashamed I did yield to them Give me my robe, for I will go.” (II,ii,105-107) Caesar let desire for the crown change his mind, and has been easily drawn into Decius’ trap. Also, over-confidence of a desirous goal may increase one’s vulnerability. Before Caesar is brutally murdered by the conspirators, he expresses his compulsion towards power. “Yet in the number I do not know but one that holds his rank unshank’d of motion and that I am he” (III,i,68-70) Caesar is clearly expressing how suitable he is for the crown. However, shortly after he states this, he is blindly killed by those he initially thought were on his side, but really against his rule the whole time. Overall, Caesar’s clear desire for his goals made him further exposed to manipulation, ultimately ending in his
death. Mark Antony desires dominance, which is especially dangerous for Rome as he will go to any lengths to achieve his goals. Firstly, over aspiration may lead to betraying one’s friends. The first time this treachery occurs is when Antony agrees with the conspirators that their act of murdering Caesar was necessary. But, during Antony’s speech to the roman citizens, he states, “I fear I wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar, I do fear it.” (III,ii,150-151) Antony has deceived his associates to appeal to the people, carrying out his plan of betrayal, but in the end, neither the conspirators, nor the Romans are on his side. Additionally, an individual’s ambitious goals may negatively affect others. Mark Antony orders Lepidus, “Go you to Caesar’s house, fetch the will hither and we shall determine how cut off some charge in legacies.” (IV,i,7-9) Antony cuts the citizens share from Caesar’s will to retain more money for himself, not considering the people he is leading. Finally, a leader who uses their power to hurt their people through fraud and greed will only suffer in the end. The characters, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar both establish the theme of ambition immensely. Caesar’s drive towards power becomes his own debility. Antony uses betrayal for his own desires, endangering others. In final conclusion, a leader’s desirous ways may ultimately end in disaster for not only the ambitious individual, but for innocent beings as well.
Works Cited
Shakespere, William. Julius Caesar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.