This section contains 450 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
The Kindness of Caesar in "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar"
Summary: Much has been made about the arrogance that Caesar displays in William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar." Although he is arrogant and overconfident, his kindness shines forth during Antony's funeral speech.
"Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?"(3.3.254) exclaims Antony in his funeral speech. Caesar's arrogance contributes greatly to his downfall, and it is not to his advantage that not many people knew how kind he could be. Caesar is a great leader for the people, but his arrogance often masks his kindness. Caesar exudes arrogance, but underneath, he truly is a good person.
One way that he is arrogant is by speaking of himself in the third person. At the festival of Lupercal, he says to a soothsayer, "Speak; Caesar is turned to hear" (1.2.17). He seems very rude and overly confident in himself. When speaking to his wife about her dream, he says, "The things that threatened me ne'er looked but on my back; When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished" (2.2.10-12). He is basically saying that most people are afraid of him...
This section contains 450 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |