Another would be Marullus and Flavius’s loyalty towards Pompey. Although Pompey had indeed fallen under Julius Caesar and his honours had now been swept into the ways of time, Marullus and Flavius still kept their loyalty to Pompey and did not deflect to Julius Caesar’s camp at all. This properly states the loyalty towards Pompey. In Act One Scene One alone, much can already be told about the theme loyalty and betrayal.
Secondly, in Act One Scene Two, one obvious loyalty, almost reverence, would be Antony’s loyalty towards Julius Caesar. To Antony, Julius Caesar’s words were absolute, which can be seen as he said ‘when Caesar says this, it is performed’, showing no hints of questioning.
Another loyalty will be of Brutus to Caesar and Rome, which will be the basis of his mental struggle in deciding whether or not he should join the conspiracy and take action against Julius Caesar, his best friend, for the sake of Rome, his country. He showed his loyalty to Rome and to the democratic cause when he said ‘I do fear people may choose Caesar for King.’ But however showed his loyalty to Caesar when he only said that he would consider about what Cassius said when Cassius was trying to ‘whet’ him against Caesar. Therefore, the theme of loyalty was more specifically observed in Act One Scene One.
Also, one betrayal was observed in Act One Scene two. Brutus trusted Cassius enough to tell hi everything that was troubling with hope that he might be able to help him. Instead, Cassius betrayed that trust, and exploited Brutus’ troubles to his own selfish cause, which was to murder Caesar. This betrayal was not evident, but it made the situation worse for Brutus because while initially he thought that it was only a possible problem, Cassius had cleverly twisted it into something that has to be acted on with urgency.
Thirdly, in Act TWO Scene One, Brutus betrayed Caesar mentally as he decided to join the conspiracy and kill Caesar. This betrayal was complete. In comparison, his loyalties to his virtue, honour, and the ideals of a republic was strengthened. As could be seen later in Act 3 scene 2, Brutus said that he killed Caesar ‘not because [he] loved Caesar less, but [he] loved Rome more’ showing the equality in the strength of his betrayal to Caesar and his loyalties to Rome and honour.
In Act 2 scene 2, we also see Calphurnia’s loyalty and concern for her husband Caesar when she begged him to stay at home that day for she dreamt of a nightmare of him being killed. This is shown in contrast with Decius Brutus’ betrayal to Caesar’s trust in him, when Decius Brutus interpreted the dream in a more positive way so as to further his own motive, which is to get Caesar to go to the senate house. Decius Brutus had placed loyalty with the conspirators.
In Act 3 scene 3, Artemidorus showed his loyalty to Caesar by writing in a letter the name of the conspirators to warn him about the conspirators and hopefully save his life. He is concern for his superiors’ life and this shows loyalty.
Nest in Act 3 scene 1, the betrayal of Brutus and the rest of the conspirators is complete as they stabbed Caesar. This climax marked the betrayal of one friend to another in a strong friendship. Caesar managed to say ‘Et tu brute? Then fall Caesar.’ This shows the extent of his shock, disappointment and sadness as he saw his best friend betray him. This was the ultimate betrayal I would say in this play. This betrayal was the brunt of all the other thoughts Brutus had before and this betrayal and death of Caesar will also have profound effects in the later parts of the play.
In this scene, Antony also appears to betray Caesar when he said ‘friends I am, and love you all [the conspirators]’. But that was a cover for his future plans to destroy the conspirators, showing that his loyalty still lies with Caesar.
In Act 3 scene 2, the switching betrayals and loyalties of the plebeians were explored for when Brutus spoke, they rallied behind him, supported him and betrayed Caesar. But after Antony spoke, they betrayed Brutus and rallied, supported Antony and Caesar once more. Antony also betrays Brutus’ trust in him to stir the crowd against the conspirators.
Finally in Act 3 scene 3, the betrayal of the plebeians against democracy, peace, stability and joy is marked. The innocent killing of Cinna the poet just because he had the same name as Cinna the conspirator, and the reasons being ‘tear him for his bad verses’ showed the plebeians betrayal of logic and kindness.
Therefore as shown above the theme of loyalty and betrayal is indeed a recurring theme in the play. It encompasses the mental and physically aspect of loyalty and betrayal, and it is displayed in many characters at different times through out the play.