julienperyon287
follow directions based on the Julius Caesar play Thesis -…
follow directions based on the Julius Caesar play
Thesis – In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare improperly portrays Caesar as a tyrant, which leads to his character being misunderstood and wrongfully murdered.
A. First, I will illustrate how I believe Shakespeare misjudges Caesar by characterizing him as a tyrant in the play. Then, I will discuss the debate on whether he was a noble, righteous man rather than a selfish and dangerous dictator, as alleged by Mark Antony in his eulogy for Caesar. Finally, I will argue that Brutus was not justified in killing Caesar and will contend that both he and Cassius acted outed of jealousy instead of trepidation for Rome.
First Major Claim (Claim A)
Shakespeare wrongfully portrays Caesar as a tyrant throughout the play.
A. Broad, general statement that leads into the material
A tyrant is defined as a cruel ruler that uses their power unfairly and oppressively. Shakespeare mistakenly portrays Caesar as a tyrant throughout the play when there was no real evidence to prove that he was abusing his power; it was only anticipated by Cassius and Brutus.
1. Textual evidence from primary source
Brutus talking to himself about how he needs to kill Caesar before he becomes corrupted by his power (essentially a tyrant).
a.
A critic who read or would read this text a certain way
A critic would read this and say that Brutus was right to contemplate the possibility of Caesar using his newfound power unethically. They would say he was planning his murder for the betterment of Rome.
My reading of textual evidence, which differs from above
I believe that Brutus was jumping to conclusions and making hasty decisions on a lot of hypothetical situations. He was also misled and taken advantage of by Cassius through forged letters, which expressed Roman citizen’s “support” for him and their fear of Caesar’s rise to power.
b.
B. Textual evidence from historical source
“Julius Caesar and the Tyrannicide Debate” “Julius Caesar: Tyrant or Populist?”
a. A group of critics typically reads this historical source this way
Robert S. Miola of the Cambridge University Press would argue that Caesar has many major characteristics of a tyrant, including his “arrogant pride and willfullness.” He would contend that Caesar acts like a tyrant by appearing futile and “disregarding senatorial authority.”
b. I read the historical source this way
Although Caesar may have adopted authoritarian powers, he was no tyrant himself. He used his power to bring order and peace to Rome during a time of despair.
C. If Major Claim A is correct, here’s how it supports my thesis
It proves that Caesar was clearly mislabeled as a tyrant in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, which ultimately leads to his death. Brutus is convinced that he will eventually take advantage of his power, put the city of Rome at stake, and is even manipulated by a fellow conspirator, Cassius, to take Caesar down.
Second Major Claim (Claim B)
Julius Caesar was not a selfish nor tyrannical leader, but instead a noble and righteous one.
A. Big claim that supports Major Claim B
Mark Antony delivers a eulogy for Caesar following his assassination in which he tells people that although they are focusing on all the bad things he did in the moment, they should not forget his good deeds. He references Brutus’ words about Caesar and subtly disagrees with his statement that Caesar was “ambitious,” and admits that if it were the truth, it was an inconceivable mistake.
1. People who disagree with the claim above
Suarez would disagree with this claim because they predestined Caesar as a “usurper of sovereign power ‘through violence and tyranny,'” and supported the praise of Brutus and Cassius for assassinating him.
2. Textual evidence from primary source
Mark Antony’s Eulogy for Caesar
3. Textual evidence from theoretical source
The Complexity of Julius Caesar supports my argument that Caesar was a good leader because the author labels his murder as “the foulest crime in secular history” and one of the critics, Roy Walker, agrees that we should recognize him as a “great and good ruler.”
4. Concluding statement that underscores this big claim
Julius Caesar as a ruler was often misinterpreted, however there are many critics who go against the norm and believe that he was an honorable dictator who had Rome’s best interest at heart. Antony is careful not to contradict Caesar’s conspirators while giving his eulogy, but faintly alludes to Caesar being misconstrued and advises citizen of Rome to remember his acts of decency.
Most important major claim (Claim C)
Caesar’s conspirators assassinated him out of jealousy rather than out of concern for the city of Rome, deeming his death depraved and immoral.
A. People who would complicate my claim
The people of Rome during this era would complicate my claim because Brutus and Cassius has led them to believe that Julius Caesar was a dangerous and tyrannical leader, therefore they would believe his assassination was appropriate.
B. Textual evidence from primary text WITH my theoretical lens to support claim
Quote part where Brutus finds no real reason to believe that newly crowned Caesar would abuse his power. This shows that Brutus was aware that there was no reason to suspect him of becoming corrupt, and therefore acted out of jealousy. Add Harold Feldman’s article where he further discusses both Cassius’ and Brutus’ sinful actions and how they are subconsciously connected to envy.
C. My concluding statements
Brutus being uncertain about whether Caesar would have been a fraudulent leader, as well as Cassius being manipulative in order to gain support for his plan makes it clear as to how Julius Caesar’s assassination was outright immoral and occurred out of jealousy.
Conclusion, beginning with a restated thesis
Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar follows the story of Julius Caesar, a noble ruler who is misjudged by a mob of conspirators who mislabel him as a tyrant, turn his city against him by making them believe he is a merciless ruler, and plot his murder out of envy.
