Julius Caesar And The Hunger Games

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar shows many themes that are shown in many modern day films. The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins and directed by Francis Lawrence and Gary Ross show similar themes. One shared theme between the play and film is private self vs public self. Both Julius Caesar and The Hunger Games illustrate the duplicity of public figures.

Julius Caesar takes place in Ancient Rome around 45 bc. It begins with the return of Caesar who is praised as he walks through the streets of Rome for his victory over Pompey’s sons. It seems he is on the rise to absolute power which is unheard of in Rome. As the story continues and Caesar gains more power his closest friends plot his death, for the fear that his ambitions were

public has a big effect on how the characters treat each other. This theme also shows how characters react and gives readers a better understanding as to why these characters make the decisions they do. For example Brutus is so wrapped up in the conspirators plan to kill Caesar that as the story continues on he begins to become the exact type of leader that he killed Caesar for becoming. He later kills himself for becoming the way he promised not to become. It was a constant battle between his public and private self in his head and which one he should become. Another example is how Caesar completely neglected his personal life and his wife because he was so wrapped up in being a great leader for Rome. Exactly like Julius Caesar this theme shows how the characters are able to connect and react around each other. Katniss and Peeta are forced to pretend to have a relationship because it would make the people like them more and would increase their chance of survival in the games. Peeta and Katniss were also huge role models and everyone was watching them because they were a part of the nation. They were forced to act like they liked the nation and agreed with everything that was happening while they truly thought it was wrong and were plotting against President Snow in private. Deep down they both were still the same people who came from district 12 but they had to act like a part of the nation even though it wasn’t who they

In act ll scene ii Caesar tells Decius, “The cause is in my will: I will not come; that is enough to satisfy the senate. But for your private satisfaction, because I love you, I will let you know. Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.” Decius replies with, “Besides, it were a mock apt to be rendered, for some one to say, break up the senate till another time, when’s Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.” Caesar puts on an act in front of the civilians of Rome that he is strong and can’t be controlled while his wife is a big part in the decisions he makes, which is unheard of in Rome. Another example of this theme in Julius Caesar is when Decius, one of the conspirators, talks Caesar into going to the Senate so their scheme can go according to plan. Decius and all of the other conspirators act as Caesar’s friends in public while in private they plot his demise. In act ll scene ii Decius says, “Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love to your proceeding bids me to tell you this; and reason to my love is liable.”In the public eye, Cinna seems to be a huge supporter of the yearly Hunger Games while in private he is a supporter of the rebellions against President Snow and the Capitol. Another example of private vs public self would be when Katniss is told by