Betrayal in Julius Caesar
Betrayal in Julius Caesar
The play
Julius Caesar is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s.
Even though
Julius Caesar was written long ago, many ideas, like the recurring theme of betrayal, are still relevant today. A few examples of betrayal in
Julius Caesa r include Brutus’ betrayal of Caesar, Brutus’ betrayal of his wife, Antony’s betrayal of the conspiracy, and the plebeian’s betrayal of the conspirators after Caesar’s death.
One of the main concepts during the first three acts is the conspirators deciding whether or not they should kill Caesar, and then how and when they should kill Caesar.
Brutus’ struggle with himself over whether or not he should kill his best friend is also portrayed in the first three acts. When he does finally decide that Caesar must die, he says, “ It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general.
He would be crown’d: Ought that might change his nature, there’s the question.” He does not mean to betray his friend’s trust, but knows he must for the good of Rome. Later in Act III when Brutus stabbed Caesar along with the rest of the conspirators, Caesar said “ Et tu,
Brute? Then fall, Caesar!” showing his shock that his best friend, Brutus, would betray him. Brutus’ relationship with his devoted wife Portia is another example of betrayal in
Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar
. When Portia confronts Brutus about his secrecy and why he seems upset lately, Brutus refuses to tell her. Portia takes offense, and says that since she is his wife Brutus should be able to confide in her. She asks Brutus, “Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief….Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, is it expected I should know no secrets that appertain to you? Am I yourself but, as it were, in sort or limitation, to keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, and talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good
The play
Julius Caesar is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s.
Even though
Julius Caesar was written long ago, many ideas, like the recurring theme of betrayal, are still relevant today. A few examples of betrayal in
Julius Caesa r include Brutus’ betrayal of Caesar, Brutus’ betrayal of his wife, Antony’s betrayal of the conspiracy, and the plebeian’s betrayal of the conspirators after Caesar’s death.
One of the main concepts during the first three acts is the conspirators deciding whether or not they should kill Caesar, and then how and when they should kill Caesar.
Brutus’ struggle with himself over whether or not he should kill his best friend is also portrayed in the first three acts. When he does finally decide that Caesar must die, he says, “ It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general.
He would be crown’d: Ought that might change his nature, there’s the question.” He does not mean to betray his friend’s trust, but knows he must for the good of Rome. Later in Act III when Brutus stabbed Caesar along with the rest of the conspirators, Caesar said “ Et tu,
Brute? Then fall, Caesar!” showing his shock that his best friend, Brutus, would betray him. Brutus’ relationship with his devoted wife Portia is another example of betrayal in
Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar
. When Portia confronts Brutus about his secrecy and why he seems upset lately, Brutus refuses to tell her. Portia takes offense, and says that since she is his wife Brutus should be able to confide in her. She asks Brutus, “Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief….Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, is it expected I should know no secrets that appertain to you? Am I yourself but, as it were, in sort or limitation, to keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, and talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good