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Suicide In Julius Caesar Research Paper

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Alexander Preston Jones 4 Julius Caesar essay 6 March 2024 Why you should fall on your sword In William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, the theme of suicide and its relation, to philosophy, is a central theme. Characters in the play grapple with the idea of suicide influenced by their beliefs and personal circumstances while being bound by values. The main depiction of suicide in the play is seen through Brutus, a senator involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. For Brutus, suicide is not just an escape from pain but a deliberate and calculated choice rooted in his commitment to Stoicism. Stoicism underscores the importance of virtue and honor above all else during times. Thus, when Brutus realizes the failure of his cause and …show more content…

Despite their motives and grand aspirations, both Brutus and Cassius ultimately fall victim to their ambitions and hunger for political control. Their acts of self destruction can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the fruitlessness of their pursuits and a renunciation of the corrupting effects of authority. Cassius’s corruption is clearly stated after the death of Caesar by Brutus, while both working together on building their ideal Rome. Brutus states “For I can raise no money by vile means./ By heaven, I had rather coin my heart/ And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring/From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash”(4.3.80-3). Brutus’s and Cassius’s bickering only emphasize the inevitability of suicide from the both of them. As Cassius dirties his honor by taking bribes, he creates a path for further dishonor later in the play, specifically suicide. Additionally, the suicides depicted in the play raise questions regarding the concepts of fate and free will. In Julius Caesar, the characters grapple with the notion of destiny and how much influence they have over their lives. Despite being forewarned about

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