Throughout the course of history, we have seen and met people with multiple faces who act kind in front of others and completely different when they are alone or offended. In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare subtly impels the idea that the characters are a mixture of good and evil. This idea is exemplified through the actions and characteristics of Caesar, Antony, and Cassius.
Caesar qualifies as one of the many men who is depicted as a concoction of merit and vice because Caesar acts humble in front of the people but once his authority is questioned, he becomes extremely vain. After the crowning ceremony, Casca explains “ Ay, marry, wasn’t, and he put it by thrice, every/ time gentler than other; and at every putting-by,/ mine honest neighbor shouted” (1.2.239-241). Caesar is trying to gain the trust of the plebeians and prove he is an honest man by appealing to their senses when he declines the crown. This is done to display that he does not care about power as much as he cares about the people when in reality power will always be the most important element. While Metellus pleads with Caesar to bring back his brother, Caesar furiously exclaims “Hence. Wilt thou lift up Olympus?” (3.1.81). Caesar seems humble on the outside, but he views himself as a God above all. Also, he assumes that any decision he makes will always be the correct one, even if it goes against the wishes of others. Caesar’s attitude towards certain situations and dilemmas prove him to be a pompous and astute leader that many admire and hate at the same time.
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Antony is also depicted as a mixed blessing as he acts like an honorable Roman who is heartbroken by the death of Caesar all while he is slowly planting the seeds of revolt in Rome. During his speech to the plebeians, Antony states “But, as you know
Throughout the course of history, we have seen and met people with multiple faces who act kind in front of others and completely different when they are alone or offended. In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare subtly impels the idea that the characters are a mixture of good and evil. This idea is exemplified through the actions and characteristics of Caesar, Antony, and Cassius.
Caesar qualifies as one of the many men who is depicted as a concoction of merit and vice because Caesar acts humble in front of the people but once his authority is questioned, he becomes extremely vain. After the crowning ceremony, Casca explains “ Ay, marry, wasn’t, and he put it by thrice, every/ time gentler than other; and at every putting-by,/ mine honest neighbor shouted” (1.2.239-241). Caesar is trying to gain the trust of the plebeians and prove he is an honest man by appealing to their senses when he declines the crown. This is done to display that he does not care about power as much as he cares about the people when in reality power will always be the most important element. While Metellus pleads with Caesar to bring back his brother, Caesar furiously exclaims “Hence. Wilt thou lift up Olympus?” (3.1.81). Caesar seems humble on the outside, but he views himself as a God above all. Also, he assumes that any decision he makes will always be the correct one, even if it goes against the wishes of others. Caesar’s attitude towards certain situations and dilemmas prove him to be a pompous and astute leader that many admire and hate at the same time.
Antony is also depicted as a mixed blessing as he acts like an honorable Roman who is heartbroken by the death of Caesar all while he is slowly planting the seeds of revolt in Rome. During his speech to the plebeians, Antony states “But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man/ That love my friend… For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,/ Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech/ To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on” (3.2.230-235). Antony conveys himself as a common man that is upset by the death of his friend and wants everybody to mourn but he knows that what he is really doing is giving the people a reason to revolt. As the plebeians grow angrier after the speech, Antony cunningly says to himself “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot;/ Take thou what course thou wilt” (3.3.275-276). Antony is worked up about the death of Caesar so while he is giving his speech he knows what it’s going to do to the people and yet he still goes through with it because he wants revenge on the conspirators. Antony’s speech indicates he is ambidextrous since he tricks the Romans into thinking he is one of them and is also the reason for their revolt.
Cassius proves to be a blend of honor and corruption since he is known to be a traitor to Caesar, but a noble friend to Brutus. As Cassius is trying to explain to Brutus why Caesar should not be king, he announces “Tis true, this god did shake./ His coward lips did from their color fly,/ And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world/ Did lose his luster” (1.2.128-131). Cassius tries to convey the fact that Caesar is sick in order to trick Brutus into believing in his cause and while he does this, his jealousy toward Caesar is displayed. He could have described the incident to Brutus and gotten his message through but he wanted to call Caesar names like “coward” when it was not needed. Even when Cassius is in his worst moments he always has time for his friends. During the trivial fight between him and Brutus, Cassius cries out “I that denied thee gold will give my heart./ Strike as thou didst at Caesar, for I know/ When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him/ better/ Than ever thou lovedst Cassius” (4.3.115-119). Even when Cassius seems extremely haughty, deep down he is distressed that Brutus will never love him as himself and will always love Caesar more than him no matter the situation. Cassius is presented as an egregious character throughout the play as he acts tough and cunning yet he is extremely concerned by how he is viewed by his close friends.
Through the reactions and decisions of the leaders of Rome, including Caesar, Antony, and Cassius, it is made clear that they are a fusion of light and dark combined into one figure. No matter how pure someone tries to be, there will always be a hint of mischief to them and it will appear during a time of weakness when it is least expected; likewise, with evil features.
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