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How Is Julius Caesar Corrupt

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In the play Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespear, a famous writer displays how easily politicians become corrupt. This corruption is fear that leads to death. One particular politician is Marcus Brutus who is easily persuaded by fears. Brutus fears the power being gained by Julius Caesar. This play strongly shows these traits in Act 2 scene 1 with Marcus Brutus and his fears against Caesar. Just the thought of Caesar coming into power and turning corrupt is a powerful thought in Brutus’s mind. Brutus fears how Caesar could become corrupt when he becomes a dictator. That he walks around the room like a madman trying to convince himself of Caesar's corruption. The power gained from a selfish mind is corrupt, “[for] the abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power” (2.1.18-19). Shakspear depicts politicians as being corrupt individuals using power for their own selfish greed. Politicians will do anything for power “but when [one] once attains the utmost round – [one] then unto the ladder turns his back, – Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees” (line 24-26). Shakespeare uses imagery to paint a picture in the minds of his audience of Caesar climbing up the ladder of social standing. Because of how high Caesar has climbed Brutus fears his corruption. …show more content…

As it is stated by Shakespeare “that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder” (line 22). Shakespeare uses the metaphor of the ladder of success to convey Brutus’s thoughts on how Caesar will turn his back on the plebeians once he’s achieved the heights of power. Shakespeare uses imagery to comment on Caesar’s increasing power as shown on line thirty, “fashion it thus: That what be is, augmented”. Fashion means “to shape” and augmented means “increased in power”. Shakespeare is showing how Caesar’s increasing power is taking

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In Julius Caesar, both Brutus, and Caesar die because they suffer from a critical main character disease named ‘hubris’. Brutus thinks of himself as a savior of Rome because he killed Caesar. When the conspirators knock of his door, Brutus acknowledges his visitors and he asks them to consider how loyal they are, “Sham’st thou to show thy dangerous brow” (Shakespeare, 2.1.78). His placement in this scene shows his way to seem in a higher standing than others.

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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar was written about four hundred years ago. This story demonstrates the corruption of Roman government in 44 BC. Rhetoric and theatrics are the main tools that current politicians, and ancient politicians use to gain popularity, commandeer power, and make crucial relationships. Important Roman political figures such as Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and Caesar along with present-day politicians use these rhetorical methods to accomplish their goals. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare demonstrates how rhetoric and theatrics largely affect politics and political relationships.

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Brutus also contains several other characteristics of a tragic hero. For example, Brutus possesses a hamartia. “Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins/ Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar” (Shakespeare II.1.18-19). In this quote from the story, Brutus is saying that he believes Caesar would abuse the power of being crowned king.

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In his thoughtful and critical speech, Brutus, a senator of Rome who is friends with Caesar, utilizes rhetorical devices in order to persuade himself that killing Caesar is beneficial to the people. Toward the middle of the speech, Brutus uses Pathos in a metaphor to prove to himself “that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder” that but once one reaches the top of the ladder, he will “[scorn] the base degrees by which he did ascend” (II, i, 22 & 26-27). This metaphor is comparing humility to a ladder in which ambitious people use to climb to achieve great power. Although, once one reaches the power, the ladder is no longer any use for them and they will look down on the steps and people that had helped them get to this place in scornfulness.

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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is a play about the assassination of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome. A group of eight conspirators got together and planned his death. One of the conspirators, named Marcus Brutus, was among Shakespeare’s best tragic heroes. He has all the original elements of a tragic hero and even the new elements that Shakespeare added. Brutus was an honorable man that only wanted what was best for Rome.

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Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, is an extreme representation of the problems that happen in society. It shows how far a hero can fall, it shows how misinterpretation can ruin a life, but more than all, it demonstrates manipulation and the massive effect it can have on a person. The play's simple representation of both emotional and logical manipulation gives students a way to recognize when they are being manipulated and gives them an easier path to not letting others manipulate them, for these reasons Julius Caesar should still be taught in schools. One way the story demonstrates emotional manipulation is through the character of Brutus.

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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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He fails to see the true motives and intentions of those around him, such as Decius Brutus and Marcus Brutus, who eventually become part of the conspiracy against him. Julius Caesar’s tragic flaws of trusting the wrong people and his persuasive use of ethos are intertwined in Shakespeare’s play. Despite his intelligence and political acumen, Caesar’s misplaced trust in individuals who deceive him ultimately leads to his downfall. In one powerful scene, Caesar appeals to the ethos of his trusted friend Brutus, attempting to convince him of his loyalty and innocence “Et tu Brute? Then fall, Caesar!”

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Brutus believes that Caesar will do more harm than good to the people, and reap benefits for himself. Brutus has already said this, but had said it in his own words, (II, i, 12-14). He has no clue if Caesar will use his power for the good and betterment for the people, or use it for his own needs and other

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The play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare illustrates the use of manipulation of others for political and personal benefit. One can see the relevance of this theme by analyzing recent history. The first time the theme is clearly demonstrated is in “Act 1, Scene 2”. Cassius uses flattery to begin to manipulate Brutus.

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His method of keeping immense power by using fear to manipulate citizens has been manifested for a long period of time, since the book The Prince was published. Similarly, his methods are manifested in William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar with characters that are attractive and expressive, yet flawed. Although some of the characters from Julius Caesar did not manifest Machiavellian traits, those that did ran into the same consequences as those who didn’t, indicating that a disastrous ending awaits them either way.

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Through the use of deceit and lies 2 political powers rose, taking supporters and underhandedly using them and manipulating their thoughts. Shakespeare effectively used cause and effect to advance the story: selfishness, and weakminded-ness caused turmoil pain, and betrayal. Julius Caesar truly represents how deceit and manipulation is used in politics, and shows that without an opinion people can be swayed

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Cassius manipulates Brutus to the point of making him feel as if there are several people wanting Brutus to do something about Caesar. Cassius also wants to convince Brutus that “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at” so they can eliminate his power for fear that “worse days [may] endure”. Cassius is not the only senator wanting to eliminate Caesar’s growing

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Brutus begins by saying that he doesn’t know why he should act against Caesar. He wonders if Caesar will change if he becomes king. Caesar will be the most dangerous in his highest point-- when he is named king He is afraid that when Caesar gains power, he will feel bad when he does bad things or he will not have moral Humility is what propels people, but once they get what they want, they forget what got them there.

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Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; and sure he is an honorable man” (III.ii.97-100). Antony says he offered Caesar the crown 3 times, and Caesar denied the crown all 3 times. Ambition can be defined as an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment. Without directly saying that Caesar was not ambitious and disagree with Brutus because of his rules, he instead shows an example that Caesar was not ambitious, but then say that Brutus is an honorable man.

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