“Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.”
This shows Caesar judged Cassius correctly as Cassius was plotting and “thinking too much.”
However Caesar seemed unaware of the threat from the other conspirators, all of which claimed to be his friend, which meant Caesar placed his trust in them. This was to lead to his downfall.
Friendship is also a central theme in the play. Brutus who became one of the conspirators even refers to the dead Caesar as his “best lover.” (Act 3, Scene 2.)
When Caesar tells Anthony how Cassius is “lean and hungry.” Anthony says that Cassius is a “noble Roman” and can be trusted which means Anthony trusts Cassius. (Act 1, Scene 2, lines 197-198.)
“Fear him not Caesar he’s not dangerous. He is a noble roman, and well given.”
By Anthony defending Cassius character, it shows that they considered Cassius to be their close friend, and Caesar trusted Anthony a lot, to take his advice. It shows their extremely strong friendship.
Shakespeare makes sure we see glimpses of courage in all the main characters and many of the minor ones. This is emphasized in Act 1, Scene 3, lines 57-9.
“You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life that should be in a Roman you do want, Or else you use not.”
This shows that Cassius was not scared of the storm and tells Casca not to be scared. Also by putting down Casca down, Cassius meant for him to become stronger.
My favourite aspect of the play is Shakespeare humane for example at the start of Act 1, Scene 1 Flavius and Marullus are talking to the citizens of Rome questioning as to why they are talking a day off. The second citizen replies in a joke in Act 1, Scene 1, lines 31-32.
“Truly sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself in to more work.”
The theatre was a very important aspect of Elizabethan life in the medieval ages. Life in Elizabethan times was difficult and dangerous. Many people were poor farmers, often living at the mercy of wealthy landowners. Elizabethans sought relief from their harsh lives by attending plays and other forms of entertainment, which made theatre extremely important to Elizabethan culture.
There were many theatres in Elizabethan times, all very similar to each other. However, when William Shakespeare began starts writing, his plays were so exceptional that no person could compare. The theatre was for every one, the rich, and the poor, old and young.
The play was based on what was happening in England at the time. The Elizabethan audience were worried; their queen was old, and had no heir. Shakespeare used this to write Julius Caesar to show what might happen when the queen dies. People were scared about civil war as many people would want to get into power when the queen dies with no heir to the throne. Shakespeare played on this fear when he wrote of the death of Caesar; the story was old, but the theme was current. Similarly, Julius Caesar was having problems ruling the country. After his death, there was a civil war. Also when Antony warned that Rome would experience:
“Domestic fury and fierce civil strife”
He would have reminded the Elizabethans of their own fearful situation.
The story of Julius Caesar had courage, Ritual, order, fate, honour and friendship and betrayal. It showed what may happen if the queen died with no heir. All these points made the play appealing to the Elizabethan audiences and made it one of Shakespeare best plays.
