Julius Caesar Character Analysis

“Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.)
- Julius Caesar

In this detailed analysis of Julius Caesar's character from Shakespeare's play, we delve into the complexities and contradictions that define one of history's most iconic figures.

The article aims to provide ICSE English Literature students with a comprehensive understanding of Caesar's portrayal, exploring his strengths and weaknesses, his relationships with other characters, and the themes that emerge from his actions.

1. Decline of the powers

In the play, Julius Caesar is portrayed as a mentally and physically declining leader. Historically(102 to 44 BC) he was a brilliant military and political leader which convinced him to see himself as a demigod despite his physical weakness such as deafness and epilepsy which is alarming.

His increased dependency on the fortune tellers' predictions reflects his superstitious nature and overconfidence. This belief in invincibility drives these Republicans to conspire against Caesar to prevent his rise to become the king.

“Beware the Ides of March.” - This foreshadows his downfall.

2. Caeser’s Role in Three Scenes

Shakespeare makes Caesar appear only in three scenes, leading some critics to argue that Caesar is the play's titular hero, while Brutus serves as the dramatic hero. Much of what we learn about Caesar comes from conflicting opinions about the characters requiring us to form our judgments by assessing their reliability.

Hazlitt expresses that Shakespeare has failed Caesar in portraying his character despite the playwright's skills in characterization.

"I am as constant as the Northern Star."- This assures self-confidence and how important his small role is amidst all the chaos.

3. Shakespeare’s Adaptation of Caesar from Plutarch

Most critics believe that Caesar is a glorious braggart filled with lofty pretensions. Dower Wilson considers Caesar a ruthless tyrant in the decline of his physical and moral powers. He thinks that Shakespeare portrays Caesar as an almost supernatural conqueror whose greed threatens the Roman Republic justifying the murder by Brutus.

History depicts life as it is whereas literature depicts life as it may be or ought to be as stated by Aristotle. For instance, Shakespeare attributes deafness and epilepsy to Caesar which do not exist in Plutarch’s Caesar. Although Caesar’s covetous desire to become the king is hated, the play presents him as beloved by the Roman people.

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." - The theme of fate vs free will is a key element to both Shakespeare and Plutarch's accounts.

4. The Man of Authority

Shakespeare portrays Caesar as a man of great authority. While he exhibits superstitious beliefs, which reflect the era’s weakness, he ignores warnings from the fortune tellers. There is no definitive evidence that his actions are solely driven only by superstition. Despite the pleadings of his wife and warnings of his augurers, he boldly proceeds to the capital.

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” - This shows his valiant nature.

5. Antony’s Persuasion

Shakespeare explores the theme of kingship and the King’s divine right to rule highlighting about choice between republicanism and monarchy. Antony persuades the crowd that Caesar lacks the ambition to be a king.

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” - Antony's appeal to the audience highlights his capacity to hold their attention.

6. Misunderstood Relationships between Caesar and his Spirit

Caesar himself, Cassius, and Brutus in the soliloquy in his garden each in his way misinterprets the relation between Caesar’s spirit and his vulnerable human form. Brutus perceives Caesar’s spirit as evil wishing to destroy without harming the men.

Ultimately he discovers that he cannot extinguish Caesar's spirit as it transcends the mortal body.

7. A Great Judge of Character

Caesar demonstrates a keen ability to judge character, an essential trait in any leader. His insightful evaluation of Cassius stands out impressively in the play. Caesar's excessive arrogance may be pardoned by somebody as powerful and great as Caesar. Casca’s hostility toward Caesar is evident.

It is not without reason that Shakespeare makes Cassius the only conspirator who stabs Caesar from the back showing his cowardice in facing such a formidable figure.

“He is a dreamer; let us leave him.”- Referring to Casca he predicts others' perceptions exactly.

8. His Fearlessness

Caesar’s mixture of strength and weakness on the day when he is due to attend a meeting of the Senate is apparent. Despite Calpurnia's ominous dreams and warning about ill omens Caesar fearlessly declares that if God declares to end someone’s life, fate is inescapable.

9. Brutus’s Misinterpretation

Brutus openly admits that he has no reason to reject Caesar acknowledging being swayed by Caesar. He begins his argument in a soliloquy by thinking that “it must be by his death”, flawed cause-and-effect reasoning. This reveals Brutus as untrustworthy, his honourable intentions masking a dangerous naivety. He later decides to kill his friend despite his lofty motives showcasing intellectual blindness.

And, since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the things he is,
Fashion it thus;

10. Diminished Sympathy For Caesar

As the play progresses towards Caesar’s murder, Shakespeare lessens the sympathy we have for him in the last 70 lines. Shakespeare does this deliberately to heighten the dramatic conflict in the play.

Caesar’s arrogance leads him to admire him less. However, Shakespeare restores our sympathy for Caesar when he says “et to brute” “then falls Caesar”. The scenes where Brutus and his conspirators wash their hands in Caesar’s blood evoke feelings of shame and disgust.

“I rather tell thee what is to be feared than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.”- This implements Caesar's arrogance that might make the audience perceive a lessened sympathy for him.

11. Caesar’s Spirit Dominates the Play’s Second Half

Caesar's spirit dominates the second half of the drama and is constantly present in our minds and those of his killers. Brutus always wished to stand up against the spirit of Caesar.

12. Antony’s Terrible Prophecy

Antony gives a terrible dimension to Caesar's spirit in his prophecy over Caesar's body.

And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry "Havoc," and let ship the dogs of war;

From that point on, the Prophecy recurs frequently in the play where Brutus and Cassius utter Caesar’s name while passing by.

13. The Ruling Spirit of the Play

The main reason that Caesar is both the subject and the play’s governing spirit, the play is named Julius Caesar. However, he is neither the hero nor the protagonist. When he is alive, he is of prime concern, and when he is dead his spirit holds our attention which creates a huge emotional impact on the audience.