How are Julius Caesar's strengths and weaknesses presented in the play?

This fact that Caesar was born with a weakness, something he couldn’t, in his power, control, also links to another key theme in Julius Caesar, what is fate and what is free will? By giving Caesar the illness, it suggests that he was meant to die as he was never fit to rule Rome in the first place. This would be fate that led him to the senate and not free will. His condition prevents the audience or the reader from truly being able to affirm their trust in him as naturally, we look for someone that won’t change, someone that will remain the same whom we can rely on and look to for comfort and assurance

Caesar’s main weakness throughout the play, however, is his naivety. He persistently denies the idea that people may be against his leadership. When Calpurnia asks him not to go to the senate he says “..give me my robe, for I will go” and it is not until he is dying that he shows any sign of admitting defeat. This is shown in the quote: “et tu brute?” In this quote Caesar speaks in latin which is the roots of Rome, it is its founding language. Going back to the traditional and original roots of rome represents the pure defeat Caesar feels as it mirrors the founding relationship of brutus and Caesar. Going back to the foundation of the very Roman language emphasizes Caesars surprise as he relates to the beginning of his friendship with Brutus. The fact that Caesar is portrayed in this way also portrays his weakness, he is left looking vulnerable before he dies. The fact that this is the last we witness of him emphasizes this effect as is it our lasting memory of him throughout the rest of the play. The question mark at the end of this quotation creates a desperate effect as he shows his uncertainty. This in relation to his previous portrayal of a strong leader, in the quote “I am Caesar”, where he asserts his power, again leads us to loose faith in him as we see our leader, the one we have put our lives behind and trusted to make the right decisions on behalf of us, is no longer the man we thought he was.

Initially this assertive power is what gives Caesar his main strength. It is reassuring to the people of Rome. Caesar also shows this strong power in the quote: “shall Caesar send a lie” this is in response to when Calpurnia asks him to pretend he is sick so he doesn’t have to go to the senate. However, Caesar proves he is not ashamed for people to know that he is staying at home to abide by his wife’s wishes. A usual marriage of this era, we would not see a husband looking weak just in order for his wife to stay happy. This shows his self confidence and therefore as an audience we feel more reassured in a confident figure.