Comment on Julius Caesar as a Political Play.

Julius Caesar as a Political Play

The theme of Julius Caesar as suggested by several critics is the triumph of Caesarism over Republicanism. Shakespeare undoubtedly points to the inevitability of Caesarism as the solution of the political problem of Rome. Shakespeare makes it clear that the situation of Rome requires the strong hand of a single master mind. He takes isolated hints from Plutarch and amplifies them and works them out in his conception of the situation. The plebeians are represented as fickle-minded and violent, greedy and irrational. They have shouted for Pompey; they strew flowers for Caesar; they cheer when their favorite refuses the crown; they wish to crown his better parts in his murderer; they will not hear a word against Brutus; they rush off to set fire to his house; they tear a man to pieces on account of his name and hold Caesar beyond parallel on account of his bequest.

 

 

Again nothing better is found with aristocrat Cassius who is actuated by jealousy. He confesses that had he been in Caesars good graces, he would have been on Caesars side. Further the strain of servility is more apparent in Decius and Casca. Cassius seeks to win Antony by promising him an equal voice in disposing of the dignities. Envy, ambition, greed are the governing principles of the governing classes.

Moreover, we cannot say that the pla’s theme is Republicanism versus Caesarism. Brutus and his comrades speak of republicanism but it is nowhere shown as the dominant motive Cassius speaks of republicanism in order to excite Brutus against Caesar, but his jealousy of Caesars greatness is more apparent. Caesars lack of affection for him has driven him to conspire against him. Brutus soliloquy in the starlit orchard, again shows his confused thinking. He goes against Caesar because of a hypothetical threat to the freedom of Rome. Brutus would not grudge his kingship, if Caesar were as good a monarch as he now appears to be. Therefore, we cannot say for certain that Brutus’s republican sympathy is genuine.

 

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To sum up, Shakespeare’s main interest lies not in the political problems but in the evolution of his characters. Shakespeare is mainly concerned with the spiritual problems of his characters and he delineates the subtle workings of the minds of the main characters as pulsating individuals with paradoxical qualities. Caesar is proud, majestic and great but he has weaknesses such as deafness, superstition and fondness for flattery. Cassius is jealous but he has a craving for love and friendship. Brutus is noble but he is a confused intellectual. He is a stoic but he commits suicide to avoid capture. Thus Shakespeare has humanized all these characters by projecting their contradictions and weaknesses. 

 

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