Imperception Leads to Chaos

International Baccalaureate World Literature

Lam

Robert Lam

Ms. Dwyer

ENG 2D7 – 04

30 October 2008

Imperception Leads to Chaos

“Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty, and dies with chaos” (Will Durant). Durant’s insight reveals that the strongest and most orderly societies fall victim to chaos. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar explores the way imperception impacts Brutus’ appropriate evaluation and ultimately the structure of Roman civilization. In fact, Brutus discovers that his tragic imperceptible actions lead to disaster in Rome. Shakespeare’s tragedy describes the result of Brutus’ short-sighted, dishonourable behaviour in his attempt to improve the conditions of Roman society. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus’ imperception, by destroying the insight needed to carefully analyze people’s motives, leads to the chaos that destroys order in Rome.

Brutus’ failure to deeply analyze Cassius’ comments on Julius Caesar causes him to join the conspiracy. The chaos that results from his ill thought action endangers the fabric of Roman society by enabling chaos to destroy all structure and organization in Rome. Antony marvels at his ability to bring about mutiny when he privately murmurs, “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, / Take thou what course thou wilt!” (3.2.249-250). Antony remains aware of the power that feelings hold over logic, especially during the emotionally charged time of mourning for Caesar’s death. His self-serving speech, intentionally filled with pathos, destroys order and blinds the people to Brutus’ honourable actions. The reckless mob runs around killing and attacking innocent individuals who hold any relation to the conspirators. Shakespeare demonstrates the extreme chaotic conditions Antony’s speech creates in Rome exemplified through Cinna, the poet’s, death in act three, scene four. When Cinna, the poet, goes to the funeral to honour Caesar, the Plebeians refuse to listen to reason and despite his protestation, the Fourth Plebeian cries, “It is no matter, his name’s Cinna. Pluck but his name / out of his heart and turn him going” (3.3. 32). The feral mob demonstrates their wilful ignorance to look beyond the surface when they slaughter the poet only because he shares the same name as the conspirator. In the midst of all this chaos, Brutus realizes that his imperceptible actions, which destroy the values, beliefs, and sanity of the Roman people, actually encourage animistic behaviour. The mob’s response to Antony’s speech, “Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Kill! / Slay! Let not a traitor live!” (3.2.202-203), highlights the havoc that infects their lives. Shakespeare demonstrates this slow, yet dangerous loss of thoughtful, humane behaviour in the Roman people. The mob’s actions symbolize humanity’s imperception, their blindness to reality. Brutus’ gullible reaction to Antony’s Machiavellian desires hastens Rome’s descent into chaos.

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Brutus tragic imperceptions to the new harsher reality leads to chaos. Cassius and his fellow conspirators manipulate Brutus: they infect Brutus’ tragic imperceptions with their false reality; they sicken the citizens with their false motives; and, they infest Rome with disorder and chaos. Cassius convinces Brutus that he remains incapable of seeing himself when he offers to be Brutus’ mirror and assures Brutus that “you will modestly discover to yourself / That of yourself which you yet not know of” (1.2.69-70). Cassius plays on Brutus’ failure to recognize the jealousy and greed that infects the conspiracy. His false, convincing comments lead Brutus to believe that Caesar’s tyrannical power degrades Roman society. In reality, the conspirators’ biased opinions bury themselves so deeply in Brutus’ mind that he fails to recognize the dangerous consequences that only degrade his character. Only at the end of the play does Brutus gain the insight “...to wish / Things done undone” (4.2.8-9). Brutus, aware that his death nears, recognizes that the extremity of his actions plague any possibility for redemption among the Roman people. In fact, Brutus extends this recognition when he demonstrates the dangers his faulty understanding of reality force onto Rome. He hastily concludes that his speech wins the people’s hearts when he reasons, “Then none have I offended. I have done no more to / Caesar than you shall do to Brutus” (3.2.35-36). Shakespeare reveals Brutus’ hamartia when Brutus develops the wrong impression that the crowd accepts his actions. Instead of ending the concern regarding Caesar’s death, Brutus’ ignorance and carelessness starts a war; a war that destroys Roman society; a war that ultimately leads to his death. Brutus’ blindness to the conspirator’s manipulation eliminates order in Rome.

Brutus’ inability to analyze the conspirators’ and Antony’s secretive, self serving motives afflict the citizens and sicken Roman society. Brutus’ lack of thought fuels the conspirators desire to manipulate his gullible and naive character through group gatherings and the fake letters. In fact, Cassius brags to Casca that Brutus “Is ours already and the man entire / Upon the next encounter yields him ours” (1.3.155-156). Brutus’ connection with the conspirators and his temporary acceptance from the crowd paves the way for Antony’s emotional and powerful speech. Cassius poisons Brutus by limiting him to points of view which unveil only one solution – the death of Caesar. He regains his health after recognizing Cassius’ true character and overcoming his failures by running into his own sword; thus, rejuvenating Rome to its civilized state. Brutus’ diseased decision making process, based on incomplete information, debilitates understanding and spreads chaos. To Cassius’ surprise, Brutus unveils his ignorance when he criticizes Cassius decision to “sell and mart [his] offices for gold / To undeservers” (4.3.11-12). Cassius injects his concern for Brutus’ ignorance during their heated argument in act four, scene three. Brutus’ imperception, like a fiery, raging fever, threatens his own survival and brings greater chaos to his relationship with Cassius. Moreover, Brutus’ failure to make a genuine expression based on thoughtful consideration of the bigger picture only creates temporary satisfaction. At first, the crowd shows their approval of Brutus’ speech when they bellow, “Caesar’s better parts / Shall be crown’d in Brutus” (3.2.51). Yet, after Antony’s speech, the mob desires “to fire the traitors’ houses” (3.2.252). The fickle crowd’s sudden change in mood and beliefs shows that Brutus stands alone in arguing for the cause to Caesar’s death. Brutus’ short-sighted acceptance of the conspirators reasoning ends up in tragedy and dishonour.

Brutus’ blind acceptance of the conspirators’ reasoning creates the conditions for Antony’s Machiavellian desires to lead Rome into chaos. Instead of creating a better Rome without the presence of Julius Caesar, Brutus destroys Roman values, beliefs, and sanity. His ill considered actions lead to the innocent deaths of senators and citizens alike. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar measures how imperception blinds Brutus and destroys structure and order.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, W. Julius Caesar. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2001