How does Shakespeare present Caesar’s assassination?

Shakespeare’s tragic characters are all fundamentally flawed. It is this weakness that leads to their downfall. Caesar’s ego is presented through the majority of  play, therefore his fall is greater.

Shakespeare uses metaphorical rhetorical question to present the assassination of Caesar. Caesar’s hubris is also presented before the assassination. After explaining why he will not change his decision to banish Cimber, Caesar asks to Cinna ‘ Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus? ‘. Caesar asked a rhetorical question because no one can lift up the home of the Gods, even Caesar. He is trying to tell the senate that he has to sacrifice a lot and work hard to be Caesar. Another interpretation is that mount Olympus is figuratively speaking Rome, and lifting it is being Caesar. Shakespeare used dramatic irony to make the audience aware that Caesar will die in this scene and Caesar asking if anyone will be able to take the reins and ride the horse that is Rome is basically a double confirmation that this is the end for Caesar.

 


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2 responses to “How does Shakespeare present Caesar’s assassination?”

  1. jnorth Avatar
    jnorth

    Bruke,

    (with the exception of your typos and spelling mistakes) I am pleased that you have explored alternate interpretations of the language used here.

    To develop
    I think you should really begin to focus on incorporating context – what relevant conventions has Shakespeare developed from a tragedy and included here? Why?

  2. jnorth Avatar
    jnorth

    What if you placed your new ending at the beginning? How would this change the flow of your piece?

    Is there another line in Caesar’s speech before his murder that shows how his arrogance has grown and how we expect him to be punished for it?

React!