Symbolism In Julius Caesar

Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play about the assassination of Julius Caesar, an act that changed the face of Europe. Caesar’s rise to power threatens the interests of multiple senators, as well as the security of Rome’s people. Thus, Caesar is killed by Brutus and his fellow senators on the Ides of March for the greater good of Rome. The aforementioned playwright uses multiple symbols to advance his message — that it is the duty of the individual to revolt against oppression. On the Ides of March, a day of sacrifice, Brutus, a symbol of honor and liberty, fulfills his proverbial debt to Rome by killing Caesar, an incarnation of oppression. The assassination of Julius Caesar occurs on the Ides of March, which the Romans believed
Brutus is one of the conspirators who kills Caesar. While he is seen as a villain to many of Caesar's followers, Brutus represents honor and liberty. Shakespeare portrays Brutus as a noble person. This can be seen through Brutus’s own dialogues, as well as the dialogues of the other characters. Brutus, while debating on whether to join the other conspirators to take action against Caesar, says, “ He would be crowned. How that might change his nature, there’s the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power.” (2.1.12-19). Caesar was a close friend of Brutus. However, Brutus, recognizing the honorable thing to do, decides that Caesar must be killed in order to prevent him from destroying Rome. He recognizes that, even though Caesar has shown no signs of it as of yet, Caesar may become oppressive and corrupt when he is given the powers of an emperor, which would endanger the rights and freedoms of Rome’s people. Brutus wants to prevent this, and