In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare the conspirators are used by Shakespeare in highlighting the theme of friendship and betrayal as well as being the group of people who triggers the central conflict.

Shakespeare uses the discussion of the assassination in Brutus’ orchard to create tension and to highlight the flawed conspiracy. The servant boy Lucious describes the conspirators to be ‘buried in their cloaks’. This is highly dramatic as on the one hand they are burying their faces but on the other hand it could also be the conspiracy which they are hiding. Brutus believes that everyone in the conspiracy has the same purpose as him therefore believes that an ‘oath’ is unnecessary. However it is naïve for him to think like this because he is the only one who is performing this deed ‘for the general’, the others are merely driven by envy. His words ‘honesty and honesty engaged, that this shall be, or we will fall for it’ is ironic because the conspiracy does fall apart after the killing. The stage direction of ‘knocking’ and ‘thunder’ create dramatic tension and foreshadows the upcoming chaos as the turmoil of the sky represents the state on earth.

The conspiracy is significant in conveying Brutus’ lack of judgement skills which leads to his downfall. Cassius being the more experienced tactician and soldier and ‘abler…to make conditions’ is continually overruled by Brutus. His regards Antony as a ‘shrewd contriver’ and suggestion that they should ‘let Antony and Caesar fall together’ is overruled by Brutus. Because Brutus does not see the potential danger within Antony, he claims ‘for Antony is but a limb of Caesar’. Conveying the lack of judgement Brutus has on people. After the assassination Cassius warns Brutus ‘do not consent that Antony speak in his [Caesar’s] funeral’ but is again overpowered by Brutus. This decision is dramatically significant in conveying the lack of political leadership of Brutus which gives Antony the chance to persuade the Plebeians and starts the ‘civil strife’. The last incident takes place in Act four when Brutus again rebukes Cassius’ idea of staying on high grounds. This results in a more tragic ending with the whole conspiracy falling apart and both Cassius and Brutus committing suicide. The audience is able to recognize Brutus to be an honourable man but fails to recognize his political leadership as he is constantly putting himself and his comrades in danger.

Shakespeare portrays the conspirators to be lacking in vision and unity which causes their downfall. It portrays the political corruption during the Elizabethan times and how people manipulate others to achieve their own ambition.