Judging by the evidence in the play, how far would you agree with the conspirators that Julius Caesar would have become a tyrant?

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Max Carter 10C – English – Mr Potter

26th April 2002

English Coursework: Julius Caesar

Question: Judging by the evidence in the play, how far would you agree with the conspirators that Julius Caesar would have become a tyrant?

The Oxford English Dictionary lists the word ‘tyrant’ as:

  1. An oppressive or cruel ruler.  2. A person exercising power arbitrarily or cruelly.

 

The conspirators, who were Metellus Cimber, Ligerius, Trebonius, Cinna, Decius Brutus, Cassius, Casca and Brutus, had many different reasons for wanting to remove Julius Caesar from power. Brutus, however, was probably the only one who did it, not for personal gain but, because he believed that Caesar posed a serious threat to Rome.  Brutus, therefore, can give us the fairest portrayal of how Caesar was really behaving apart from what we see of  Caesar himself.

We know that in the time before the play is set, Julius Caesar had been part of the leadership of Rome (voted in by the Senate)  along with Crassus and Pompey,  in what was known as a triumvirate. Caesar, after Crassus was killed in battle, is alleged to have had Pompey assassinated, although Pompey was actually killed by one of his own soldiers.  Pompey’s followers certainly believe that Caesar has Pompey’s blood on his hands.  In Act 1 Scene 1 Merullus reprimands the rejoicing citizens  saying

                                               

 “O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,

                                                  Knew you not Pompey?……..”    

Whether or not we believe Caesar was responsible is important in deciding whether the conspirators were right that  he would have become a tyrant. Giving the order for Pompey’s assassination would certainly demonstrate cold hearted ruthlessness and an ambition to not  just succeed (he was very successful already), but to take over completely, using violence if necessary.

Violence and intimidation are key characteristics of tyrannical behaviour.  At the beginning of the play, Julius Caesar has just taken control of the Senate and the  characters believe he is soon to be crowned King.  They are afraid that Caesar, overcome by such power will turn his back on those close to him and use his power randomly and without reason.  Brutus states this view in the soliloquy in Act 2  Scene 1 lines 24-27 when he says

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                                          “….when he once attains the upmost round,

                                            He then unto the ladder turns his back,

                                     Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees

                                     By which he did ascend.”

 The conspirators do have more reason than most to fear the wrath of Caesar as they were former supporters of Caesars rival Pompey.  Although they seem to have been accepted by Caesar and some have even been promoted by him they obviously still feel threatened by him. ...

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