Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
(Short Story)
Julius
Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the actual
story of the Roman general and statesman Julius Caesar, who declared himself
the dictator of the Roman Empire. His reign lasted less than a year, before his
famous assassination by political rivals such as Gaius Cassius. In order to
prevent Caesar from gaining too much power, the conspirators convince Caesar’s
friend, Brutus to join the plot against Caesar.
The
drama of the play revolves around Brutus's struggle for honor, patriotism and
friendship. The conspirators make it clear that they did this for the good of
Rome. The play ends with a tribute to Brutus by Antony, as he is the only
conspirator who worked for the good of Rome.
The
play opens with a crowd celebrating Julius Caesar's victory over Pompey's sons.
Julius Caesar celebrates Lupercal feast with his wife, where a pilgrim warns
him to beware of the Ides of March. Antony offers the crown to Julius Caesar
but he refuses the offer three times, which the commoners like. Cassius tries
to poison the mind of Marcus Brutus to take a stand against Julius Caesar.
Cassius's tricky words succeed in involving Brutus in the conspiracy. Casca,
who is very superstitious gets afraid of thunder, lightning, and storm over the
night. Cassius being cunning interprets the bad omens in such a way that Casca
also joins the conspirators.
Brutus
becomes double-minded and confused to choose between his friend Julius Caesar
and the well-being of the Romans. Eventually, he selects the latter and plans
to assassinate Caesar. The next morning of March 15, Julius Caesar's wife tries
to stop him, because he has seen something bad omens last night. Artemidorus, a
well-wisher of Julius Caesar, tries to stop him by giving him a letter, but
Caesar does not bother to read it. Julius Caesar reaches the Senate unaware of
the conspiracy and firstly Casca and Brutus in the last, stab him to death.
Brutus pacifies the public by acting very wisely after the death of Julius
Caesar. Mark Antony makes a diplomatic speech against the conspirators to make
the crowd angry.
In
the battle, Cassius wrongly assumes, that enemies have surrounded him, he
orders his servant to stab him to death. After learning that Cassius is
defeated, Brutus gets afraid of the ghost of Julius Caesar and commits suicide.
Antony and Octavius reach the body of Brutus to recognize his greatness and
love for the country. Antony praises Brutus and orders a formal funeral before
they return to rule Rome.
The
conspirators fled to Asia to protect themselves and agreed to attack Julius
Caesar's supporters. Cassius uses immoral means to collect money, which starts
a quarrel between Cassius and Brutus. Brutus's wife Portia swallowed the poison
and she died. The Ghost of Julius Caesar arrives to warn Brutus, that they will
meet again on the battlefield in Philippi. In the fight, Cassius wrongly assumes,
that enemies have surrounded him, he orders his servant to stab him to death.
After finding out that Cassius is defeated, Brutus becomes afraid of Julius
Caesar's ghost and commits suicide. Antony and Octavius reach the body of
Brutus to recognize his greatness and love for the country. Antony praises
Brutus and orders a formal funeral before they return to rule Rome.
From
the play Julius Caesar we learn, that we must not be very ambitious, so that it
forces our best friend to stand against us.
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