Julius Caesar Downfall

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare focuses on the fateful day of March 15, 40 B.C., when Caesar is murdered by a group of men that have conspired against him. Caesar, the dictator of Rome, is stabbed 23 times by the conspirators, including his friend Marcus Brutus, and plays a part in his and in Caius Cassius’s death. Caesar is a very controversial and prominent political figure in Rome who quickly rises to power. Caesar’s fatal flaw, arrogance, leads to his murder. After recognizing his fatal flaw, Caesar is able to achieve redemption as a ghost from two of the conspirators who are involved in his murder. Julius Caesar is the tragic hero of Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar because of his importance in Rome, his fatal flaw

Caesar wants power and makes decisions that benefit him. In 45 B.C., he declares himself dictator for life and makes many unpopular reforms that displease the Senate, such as land redistribution among the poor that causes other citizens to relocate. Caesar gives himself the title of “Prefect of Morals”, which offers him more power, in 46 B.C. Despite passing unwanted reforms, he is loved by the middle and lower classes of Rome. Caesar supports the “Populare” ideal, which grants the lower classes more rights. “Caesar proposed legislation for reform of government… and a redistribution of land to the poor, both long-held Populare goals. His initiatives were supported by Crassus’ wealth and Pompey’s soldiers, thus solidly aligning The First Triumvirate with the Populare faction” (“Julius Caesar”) He has their support; he cancels one-fourth of all debt, making it much easier on peasants, and leaves them each seventy-five drachmas and his private walks on his will. Caesar surrounds himself with strong, influential political and military leaders to increase his own influence and power. He is a member of the First Triumvirate alongside Pompey and Crassus. He needs Crassus’ money and Pompey’s influence to pass reforms. A close friend of his is Antony, a Roman general. His wife, Calpurnia, is a daughter of a wealthy and powerful senator who has

Caesar’s ghost visits Brutus in his tent and warns him that they will meet at Philippi. Later, Brutus believes that all hope is lost for him in the battle against Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. He asks a servant of his to hold the same sword that killed Caesar while he runs onto it. Similarly, Cassius believes that his friend Titinius has been captured and killed, and in despair asks his servant Pindarus to stab him. As he is dying, Cassius says, “Caesar, thou art revenged even with the sword that killed thee” (V.iii.46-47). These two aspects prove that Caesar truly is the tragic hero of Julius