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Free Will In Julius Caesar

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Katrin Gulia-Janovskaia Mrs. See English I Honors Period 1 25 March 2023 Humanity in Julius Caesar William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar explores numerous themes and encompasses the essential question of what makes us human through the ideas of fate as opposed to free will and how feelings play a big role in making decisions. In this play, many people believe that since they are in control of their life, they act of their free will, however, they eventually learn that fate is inescapable. The characters also learn that people can easily be influenced by external forces to make decisions they believe are right. One of the main external forces is other people and their ability to manipulate others' feelings. The most important instance of this …show more content…

An example of someone who believes in free will is Cassius because he tells Brutus that “Men at some times are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings” (1.2.146-148). As soon as Cassius sees that Caesar is a potential threat, he convinces many people to join the conspiracy. He persuades Brutus by using Roman nationalism to make Brutus believe that he will be killing Caesar for the greater good of Rome. Cassius makes Brutus believe that for fair things to happen to them, he has to do this of his own free will. Caesar also assumes that he is acting of his own free will when he is going against Calphurnia’s wishes and decides to go to the Capitol, however, this was meticulously planned out by the conspirators. Even though Caesar told Calphurnia that her fears were foolish and that he is “ashamed [he] did yield to them” (2.2.111), her fears were completely valid and ultimately foreshadowed his demise. Caesar saying this shows that he completely believed that he was making his own decisions, when in reality many different things, such as people and fate, played a huge role in his …show more content…

In Julius Caesar, there are many times were characters appeal to another character to temper with their opinions and mental state. Mark Antony does this with the plebians at Caesar’s funeral when he tells them “You all did see that on Luprecal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and sure he is an honorable man” (3.2.105-108). Antony repeatedly uses the word “honorable” and contradicts Brutus to change the opinion of the crowd by getting them to question his judgment and ultimately believe that the conspirators were wrong in killing Caesar. The moment when the opinions of the plebians were easily changed shows their humanity because a big part of their shift was their

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Lydia Stock Mrs. Jex Language arts 03 January 2023 Antony’s persuasion Essay Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare, Conspiracy and the assassination of Caesar, In William Shakespear’s famous historical play, Julius Caesar, political intrigue and the conspiracy lead to the assassination of one of the world’s most prominent and controversial leaders of all time. In order for Antony to persuade the people of Rome of the wrongdoing of the liberators, he uses ethos, pathos, and logos. In order for Antony to persuade the people of Rome of the wrongdoing of the liberators, he uses ethos, pathos, and logos.

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Many people sacrifice their lives and die in the play Julius Caesar. Many of those who did not,were willing to die for their convictions. This essay will examine every catastrophe, including suicides and homicides. "Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste death but once. "

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Persuading an audience is difficult, but rhetorical devices can change arguments to appeal to the assortment of people listening. After killing Julius Caesar, Brutus presents a speech to the plebeians of Rome explaining why the assassination was necessary. As Brutus attempts to gain support from his fellow countrymen he utilizes ethos by proclaiming, ”believe me / for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour” (III.ii.1547-1548). The citizens hold Brutus in high regard and so he makes them all remember the positive way they think of him and uses that feeling so they all believe him. Antony has more tack as he foresees the fickle nature of the plebeians and uses pathos more often.

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“Julius Caesar vs. Mean Girls” William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar carries with it timeless themes that continue to be explored in modern cinema. Fate versus free will occurs in Mark Waters' Mean Girls. Characters attempt to grow in power while taking down those with it. Manipulation is utilized. The “heroes” and those against them begin to get confused along the way.

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Catherine Terry Mr. Graham 19 October 2022 Freshman English - E The Hardship and Tragedy of Julius Caesar The roles of conflict, foreshadowing, and rhetoric are prominent traits to take into consideration, when discussing the play Julius Caesar. Conflict is what leads to one of the ultimate plots of the play, the rebellion against Caesar, and the decision to follow through with his assanation. Foreshadowing is consistently shown throughout the play, and takes on a massive role.

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In Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, the art of persuasion and the power of rhetoric become especially significant amidst the political upheaval of ancient Rome. One of the most captivating moments in the play where this occurs is during Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral, where he struggles with the challenge of honoring Caesar’s memory while simultaneously abiding by the conditions he agreed to with the conspirators. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, although Antony does not explicitly slander the conspirators’ reputations, as promised, Shakespeare conveys how Antony is still able to cleverly manage to gain the Roman people’s support by indirectly painting Brutus and the conspirators in a bad light, as well as to highlight Caesar’s non-ambitious qualities, of which he is accused.

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Although Caesar, as the upcoming ruler of Rome in Julius Caesar, should be portrayed as the ideal leader of the play, he actually has too arrogant of a character to be so. Therefore, Shakespeare places honor in Brutus and allows Brutus to have the role of the idealistic leader of the story. Although Shakespeare writes this play in a controversial time period during England’s political turmoil, he allows the audience to be able to choose the true ruler of loyalty to the crown or the honor of a noble man through the understanding of the two contrasting character

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Julius Caesar Essay Words are more powerful than weapons. Throughout the play of Julius Caesar the idea of powerful words is a key theme. Through speeches lies and cunning plans the characters in this play are able to convince people to join conspiracies and move people to action. This play reflects on the need for excellent speaking skills and its importance in ancient Rome, Elizabethan, and modern times.

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Julius Caesar: The Influence of The Common Person Former editor-in-chief of the international magazine, The Economist, Walter Bagehot once said, “Public opinion is a permeating influence, and it exacts obedience to itself; it requires us to drink other men’s thoughts; to speak other men’s words, to follow other men’s habits.” The plebeians throughout the play of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare were easily influenced by not only the main characters of the play but also by each other. We can see them play off of the emotions and reactions of one another. The plebeians, much like people today, were heavily persuaded by those around them.

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In the play, the character of Caesar is depicted as a man who believes in the power of fate. In Act 1, Scene 2, Caesar remarks: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings" (Shakespeare 141-142). Here, Caesar suggests that fate is beyond human control and that individuals are at the mercy of their destiny. He implies that people are powerless in the face of fate, and their actions are

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In Cassius’s eloquent speech against Caesar, he primarily utilizes persuasion through tools such as pathos, rhetorical questions, and compare and contrast. Cassius uses pathos to begin his monologue when he claims, “I know that virtue be in you, Brutus, / As well as I do know your outward favor” (Shakespeare 1.2.95-96). By expressing that Brutus has “virtue” and “outward favor”, Cassius appeals to Brutus’s emotions, but not to an exaggerated extent. This emotional appeal is a persuasion technique because it is used in moderation and in pertinent locations. The context is appropriate since rather than using it as a tool to feed on Brutus’s emotions, Cassius only uses it to get Brutus’s attention as an appropriate hook.

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Caesar Essay Fate and free will are the two aspects that seem to rule one’s life. They weave their hands into the choices that are made. The way one acts are based on these two important ideologies. Shakespeare approaches these ideas in a way that creates a dual mindset.

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In public, Caesar was the leader Rome had always wished for, a strong, valliant man that would let nothing in his way. Consequently, Caesar had a more vulnerable side to him where the reader would be able to see glimpses of throughout the play. Still, Caesar allowed his public self image to take priority in which would eventually lead to his death. Speaking historically, the great Julius Caesar was a people’s leader with a deep hunger for power in which he would do anything to

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He even goes as far as leaving money is his will to be distributed among each Roman in his death. It ends up being his ambition, and the power and loyalty he has accrued through it, that is interpreted as a push toward tyranny, and leads to his death. Caesar’s death is set in motion by Cassius, who is distasteful of Caesar himself. Cassius despises being what he views as a servant to a tyrant and views Caesars actions to be steps toward tyranny.

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In Act 1, Scene 2, Caesar expresses to Antony the uneasiness he feels about Cassius. Yet, he says “I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d than what I fear; for always I am Caesar” (1.2.223-224). Despite the warnings and omens and even his own feelings, Caesar fails to eliminate the dangerous figures such as Cassius because he believes that acting upon

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