Julius Caesar Essay

“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves.” (Act I. Scene II. Lines 136-139). Julius Caesar was a powerful ruler who had a little too much power. In Ancient Rome, there was a group of conspirators who wished to see Caesar dead because he was a greedy, two-faced ruler. The conspirators, Cassius and Brutus, were close friends, and Cassius is the one that plotted out how to kill Caesar and persuaded Brutus to help him. They feared he would become king and destroy Rome as they knew it. They did end up succeeding in murdering Caesar, but it complicated their lives dramatically. Students should continue to study William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar because power, among other societal issues, is still relevant today, because it has the ability to cause the downfall of society. When Caesar returned to Rome, nobody questioned him or why he was gone. “When Caesar says, ‘Do this,’ it is performed.” (Act I. Scene II. Line 13). Caesar had so much power, the Romans would do whatever it took to make sure he was content. They were like dogs itching to please their master. When Caesar said, “Jump,” the plebeians would reply with, “How high?” “Peace, ho! Caesar speaks, bid every noise be still; peace yet again.” (Act I. Scene II. Lines 15-17). Caesar was all-powerful and controlling. He was able to make anybody believe in him and take his side of an argument. He was a power-hungry tyrant. He was like a God; worshipped. “Then with your will, so on we’ll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi.” (Act IV. Scene III. Lines 224-225). Whoever the ‘leader’ was would make the ‘rules.’ In this case, it was Brutus. Cassius wanted the power in this relationship, but Brutus refused to give it up. Therefore, Cassius fell submissive to Brutus’ orders. There are innumerable people today who have copious amounts of power. Hosni Mubarak (fourth president of Egypt) shut down