Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Sean Whiteman
Mr. Brankston
ENG2DG
May 31st 2016
Loyalty within Julius Caesar
Loyalty and betrayal are both extremely influential and prevalent
forces throughout Julius Caesar. These ideas influence the outcomes and
results of many crucial points throughout the play. The public especially is
fickle with loyalty and is swayed multiple times throughout and shatters
loyalties and forms new ones. The public within Julius Caesar motivates many
changes within the play and its loyalty comes with immense power. Loyalty
is also extremely apparent within Marcus Brutus intense idealism and
patriotism. With Brutus loyalty infirmed with his ideals his performance in
the senate, conspiracy and aftermath are intertwined closely with his ideals.
Also Brutus intense loyalty to his ideals and national pride leaves him open
for manipulation and betrayal. With his immense idealism leading to Brutus
downfall and short sighted decisions which propel the play. Therefore the
interactions and effects of loyalty, lack of loyalty and betrayal influences the
play dramatically.
Within Julius Caesar are many instances in which loyalties shift within
the public according to manipulation and circumstance.
Whiteman 2
Whiteman 3
well, they become fully willing to follow Brutus and crown him as their leader.
The public has severed all loyalties to Caesar and now listens exclusively to
Brutus, as he can serve them best. The last major shift in the publics
loyalties comes during and after Mark Antonys funeral oration where he
reads from Caesars will, To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several
man, seventy-five drachmas, O royal Caesar!, Most noble Caesar! Well
revenge his death.. This monetary grant sways the public to follow Antony
as he has proven to serve them well and to avenge Caesar to appease Mark
Antony as he is the one to serve them. With this it is definite that the publics
loyalties are held only by how well a public figure can serve them and how
they serve their ideals.
Brutus throughout the play has conflicting loyalties which are a prime
example of how loyalty and betrayal interact in Julius Caesar.
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 crownd:
How that might change his nature, theres the question:
In this scene, where Brutus addresses the conspirators his decision to betray
Caesar to preserve his ideals is obvious. This is clearly evident through
Brutus claim that he has no personal quarrel with Caesar but that with his
crowning, Brutus ideals are threatened. With Brutus loyalty gone to Caesar
Whiteman 4
the moment he threatens Brutus ideals it becomes apparent that above all,
Brutus is loyal to his beliefs and will defend them by any means.
Not that I loved Caesar less, but that i loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living,
And die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to
Live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for
Him; as he was fortunate, I rejoiced at it; as he was
Valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious,
I slew him.
As well, in Brutus speech addressing the people of Rome, he explains why
Caesar was assassinated. The speech allows for Brutus to relate his motives
to the people and to play to their ideals through his explanation of the
circumstances. As this speech briefly satisfies the public, the apparent
protection of the public's ideals in this speech is effective. Brutus also relates
to the public by explaining that his betrayal was to protect his ideals which
benefit the public.
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it.
Whiteman 5
Whiteman 6
and lose the loyalty of the public. As well another betrayal surfaced to
Brutus, the betrayal of the public. Following Antonys speech there is a public
outcry towards the conspiracy, O traitors! Villians!, We will be revenged.,
Revenge!-- About! -- Seek! -- Burn!-- Fire! -- Kill! -- Slay! Let not a traitor
live.. The publics immediate switch of loyalties following financial
compensation and a new figurehead betrays Brutus as preceding the speech
the public wished only well and respect upon Brutus. Although now they seek
only death and revenge. With this betrayal the entire power struggle of Rome
sways in favour of Caesars supporters changing the entire course of power
in Rome. Another betrayal of Brutus ideals occurs earlier as he is
manipulated by Cassius.
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honourable mettle may be wrought
From that it is disposd: therefore tis meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seducd?
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus.
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
He should not humour me. I will this night,
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
Whiteman 7
Whiteman 8
Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Ed. Roma Gill. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1986. Print.
Whiteman 9