An Essay on "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar around 1599. The play is said to be an adaptation of the Greek account written by Plutarch. This account refers to the lives of Marcus Brutus, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Antonius. Julius Caesar touches on many societal issues, which are still voiced today: suicide, peer pressure, what it means to be a good leader, and assassination. However, though each of these issues is examined throughout the play, it is by examining the characters themselves that we receive a broader perception of the play itself. The role of the `tragic hero' is extremely important to this effect as many of the characters in Julius Caesar exemplify the `tragic hero' qualities. Marcus Brutus, and Julius Caesar, display all the qualities of the `tragic hero': they are great men, with...