Concetti Chiave
- The conspiracy against Caesar is driven by a desire to prevent the Roman Republic from becoming a monarchy, with Brutus, Caesar's adopted son, playing a key role.
- Caesar's assassination is foreshadowed by a warning he ignores, leading to his death and a speech by Marco Antonio that turns public opinion against the conspirators.
- Shakespeare's adaptation of Plutarch's Lives maintains historical accuracy while transforming it into an effective drama, highlighting the contrast between Caesar's pride and Brutus's nobility.
- Critics debate whether Caesar or Brutus is the protagonist, with the spirit of Caesar overshadowing the play and influencing the outcome against the conspirators.
- Brutus is portrayed as the tragic hero due to his integrity and delusion, which drive the narrative and underscore his central role in the tragedy.
Conspiracy against Caesar
The action of the tragedy takes place in Rome and in the final wall of the tragedy in Greece
Brutus, whose ancestors had expelled Tarquinio the Superb from Rome, is the adopted son of Caesar; despite this, he takes part in a conspiracy, hatched by some Roman senators including Cassio; the purpose of the conspiracy is to kill Caesar, to prevent the Roman Republic from turning into a monarchy.
Caesar's assassination
Caesar, returns to Rome after the Egyptian war, meets a fortune-teller who suggests he pay attention to the ides of March, but Caesar ignores this warning and is assassinated on the same day. At his funeral Marco Antonio, a friend of Caesar, with an oration that has become famous moves public opinion against the conspirators.
Brutus attacks Cassius, and accuses him of regicide in exchange for money; the two men later reconcile, but as they prepare for war against Marcus Anthony and Octavian, the ghost of Caesar appears in a dream to Brutus, and announces his next defeat: in fact, the battle that takes place in Philippi ends with the defeat of the conspirators and both Brutus and Cassius decide to commit suicide rather than be taken prisoner.
The tragedy ends with Marcus Anthony who, in front of Brutus's body, praises the honesty of his enemy and affirms that he did not kill out of hatred but out of love for his country.
Shakespeare's adaptation of Plutarch
In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare has closely followed North’s translation of Plutarch’s Lives; not only, the historical action in its ordinary course, bat also single characteristic traits in incidents and speeches, nay, even single expressions and words are taken from Plutarch. It is at the same time wonderful with what hidden and almost indiscernible power he has transformed the text into a drama, and made one of the most effective plays possible. Several critics have questioned whether Julius Caesar is the protagonist of the play. It is obvious that Shakespeare emphasizes Caesar’s superstition and pride in contradistinction to the nobility of Brutus. It is moreover strange that Caesar, if he be the most important character of the play, should disappear at the beginning of the third act. Cannot Brutus, in these circumstances, be regarded as the real hero? This is not the opinion of Prof. Dowden, who writes: “ Caesar is indeed protagonist of the tragedy: but is not the Caesar whose bodily presence is weak, who stands exposed to all the accident of fortune....It is spirit of Caesar which is dominant power of the tragedy; against this – the spirit of Caesar – Brutus fought; but Brutus, who errs in practical politics, succeeded only in striking down Caesar’s body; he who had been weak now rises as a pure spirit strong and terrible, and avenges himself upon the conspirators”.
Brutus as the tragic hero
That the spirit of Caesar dominates the play is quite true, but considering the matter from a purely dramatic point of view, there is no doubt that is Brutus who, from beginning to end, engrosses our interest. A man of strong imagination and unimpeachable integrity, he is deluded by false appearances and by the wile of a trusted friend. His delusion and failure are the subject of the tragedy.
Domande da interrogazione
- What motivated Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar?
- How did Caesar's assassination unfold and what were its immediate consequences?
- How does Shakespeare's adaptation of Plutarch's work influence the portrayal of characters in "Julius Caesar"?
- What role does the spirit of Caesar play in the tragedy according to critics?
- Why is Brutus considered the tragic hero of the play?
Despite being Caesar's adopted son, Brutus joined the conspiracy led by Roman senators, including Cassio, to prevent the Roman Republic from becoming a monarchy.
Caesar was warned by a fortune-teller to beware the ides of March, which he ignored, leading to his assassination. At his funeral, Marco Antonio's speech swayed public opinion against the conspirators.
Shakespeare closely followed North’s translation of Plutarch’s Lives, transforming it into a drama that emphasizes Caesar’s superstition and pride, contrasting with Brutus's nobility, raising questions about the true protagonist.
Critics argue that while Caesar's physical presence is limited, his spirit dominates the play, influencing events and ultimately avenging his assassination through the downfall of the conspirators.
Brutus is seen as the tragic hero due to his strong imagination, integrity, and the delusion that leads to his failure, making his journey the central focus of the tragedy.
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