Decision Making In Julius Caesar Essay

Choosing vanilla over chocolate ice cream is a worry free and non consequential choice to make, but being the verdict of whether or not the leader of a country should die, requires a little more thought. Major decision making is no place for doubt. In Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, ancient Rome is depicted by Julius Caesar claiming the title “dictator for life”. He has made government reforms such as expanding the senate, forgiving debts, and allowing foreigners to have citizenship in Rome. These reforms left the previous senate members virtually powerless, and a conspiracy arose with the intent to prevent Caesar’s control from turning to tyranny. The conspiracy consisted of Cassius, Casca, Cinna, Brutus, and other respected

The purpose of a rhetorical question is not to give the answer right away, but to have the audience really think through what they just said. This thought provoking literary device was used by Brutus to showcase how an oath will diminish the integrity of their plan. “What need we any spur but our own cause to prick us to redress” is a line from the play that translates to do we need any incentive but our cause to motivate us to make the most informed decision possible (Shakespeare 2.1. 134,135). The conspirators have to reflect on why terminating Caesar is their only option. In their eyes, Caesar has become too powerful and will only harm everyone around him. They have to set the balance of power straight, and even the slightest hint of doubt will dismiss the entire meaning behind the conspiracy. If the lives of your people are not what guide you to do the right thing, then your motives are as corrupt as Caesar. Brutus goes on to pose the question “And what other oath than honesty to honesty engaged that this shall be or we will fall for it” (Shakespeare 2.1. 137-139). The code of conduct for a roman is set by the standards of honesty, loyalty, bravery, and virtue. When Brutus provokes this question the conspirators have to distinguish revenge for pomey from morality. Romans will fight for what they believe in, or fall while fighting for it. When the possibility of being discredited as a true roman is at stake, it is effortless to follow the

Cassius has boasted about the noblest, Brutus, to the point of being able to visualize Brutus as a leader. The others are not going to compete with this, where Cassius brought up the oath, and was quickly shut down. If Brutus was not interested in persuading the conspirators to oppose the oath, he would not have used three different literary devices twice, each. Instead of just responding with no, he goes on to address why an oath is unnecessary. To confirm that they understood him, he ended his speech with “Is guilty of a several bastardy if he do break the smallest particle of any promise that hath passed from him” (Shakespeare 2.1. 149-151). This indicates that being a true roman is their number one priority, and Brutus would not inform the others that breaking the promise of an oath would take that away from them without there being a purpose for it. Brutus is convincing Cassius and the others by making very agreeable statements to insure that they are on the same page as