essay questions about julius caesar

Julius Caesar

By william shakespeare, julius caesar essay questions.

Is Brutus a villain or a hero?

Discuss the power, or lack thereof, of omens and fate in Julius Caesar.

Discuss the role of women in Julius Caesar, comparing and contrasting Portia and Calpurnia.

Does a single hero or villain exist in Julius Caesar? If so, who? Please explain your reasoning in detail.

Discuss the power of speech and/or the written word in Julius Caesar.

Discuss the power of deception and manipulation in Julius Caesar.

In all the chaos of Julius Caesar, is there a single voice of reason? If so, who? Please explain your answer citing details from the text.

Compare and contrast the private and public sides of Brutus and Caesar.

How is loyalty portrayed in Julius Caesar? Please specifically address Antony, Brutus and Cassius in relation to Caesar.

Idealism often leads to downfall. Support this statement with references to the text and to other historical figures (i.e. Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc, etc.)

Julius Caesar Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Julius Caesar is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Thematic analysis of Julius Caesar

This really depends on what specific theme you are referring to. Please check out the themes page below to explore different themes.

https://www.gradesaver.com/julius-caesar/study-guide/themes

17. Who had his birthday in the play? a. Cassius c. Caesar b. Antony d. Brutus

What kind of city was a rome

The city of Rome was the capital city of the civilization of Ancient Rome. It was located near the west coast of central Italy. It was a grand city full of opulent buildings, plazas, colosseums. Most average people were very poor.

Study Guide for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Julius Caesar
• Julius Caesar Summary
• Julius Caesar Video
• Character List

Essays for Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Julius Caesar.

• The Gender Transformation of Caesar
• Classification of the Main Characters of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• Shakespeare's Presentation of the Character of Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar'
• Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 1: A lesson is dramatic effectiveness
• Self-Deluded Characters in Julius Caesar

Lesson Plan for Julius Caesar

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Julius Caesar
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Julius Caesar Bibliography

E-Text of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar E-Text contains the full text of Julius Caesar

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Julius Caesar

• Introduction
• Date and text

Julius Caesar

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A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

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Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Though the play is titled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar , much of the play’s action follows the emotional conflict experienced by Brutus. To what extent can Brutus be considered the tragic hero of the play?

What role do omens and prophecies play in Julius Caesar ? What is the consequence of ignoring them?

Hubris, or excessive pride, is a tragic flaw exhibited by dramatic heroes dating back to antiquity. Caesar is proud to the point of arrogance and negligence. To what extent is pride responsible for his downfall?

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95 Julius Caesar Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best julius caesar topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy julius caesar essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on julius caesar, ❓ julius caesar essay questions.

• William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” According to Wyke, the play explores the dramatic structure of Julius Caesar’s ambition to take to the throne of the Roman Empire.
• Personality of Julius Caesar and His Effect on Rome Caesar’s role in the play is not immense, though he dominates the play, even after his demise in the third act of the play. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Political Impacts of Julius Caesar This enables Lepidus to see the leadership potential in Caesar and makes his wish to work with him in the government.
• The Battle of Words: Brutus vs. Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar However, the speech styles employed by these two characters are not similar but differ from each other in that the style employed by Brutus is one of oration, stoic and is simple and direct to […]
• Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated There is clear indication that Caesar wanted to be called a king and this was the biggest mistake that he made.
• Ancient and Modern Dictators: Caesar and Mugabe First of all, it is vital to identify the role of Julius Caesar and his contributions to the humanity and to the society of Romans, in particular.
• Julius Caesar’ Desire for Power Unfortunately with the death of Crassus by 53 BC and Caesar’s subsequent rise to power this as a result eclipsed the political standing of Pompey resulting in a distinct shift in the balance of power […]
• The Gallic War and Julius Caesar’s Life One notable difference between Caesar’s and Plutarch’s descriptions of the siege of Alesia is how the authors list the numbers of the Gauls.
• Julius Caesar an Iconic Roman This was highly unexpected, as Caesar, a declared dictator, had the support of all the people of Rome, and his death resulted in administrative imbalances.
• The Play “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare Meanwhile Caesar’s son, Octavius, the heir to the throne, decides to avenge for his father’s killing which leads to the deaths of the chief conspirators, Cassius and finally Brutus.
• Roman History: Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated Julius Caesar was both a politician and a strong leader for the Romans, who were responsible for the changes in the history of the Greco-Roman. Caesar’s behavior in the temple was observed to be a […]
• Roman History: Caesar Augustus During Augustus’s reign, the Roman Empire conquered Egypt, the land along the southern bank of the Danube, the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the territory between the Rhine and the Elbe.
• Julius Caesar’s and Czar Nicholas II’s Leadership He had to overcome numerous difficulties during his life that have led him to the path of becoming a leader. He had to face the first revolution in the history of Russia and has changed […]
• Act 1 Scene III of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Analysis The third scene is full of phrases and descriptions appealing to the reader. Short phrases deliver messages to the reader about the true essence of Cassius, Casca, and Cicero.
• Persuasion, Manipulation, Survival, Success at Work in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Since the beginning of the play edited by Roma Gill, Brutus is presented as a character who is very close to Caesar and is a “great friend” of his.
• Description of Augustus Caesar Marble Portrait I have my goal to examine the way the portrait reveals the features communicating a message of the ruler’s glory and divine nature.
• Ancient Rome: Augustus Caesar The main measures that he employed in the endeavor to restore religion include; regulation of private behavior, reconstruction of public monuments and public religion and creating awareness by the use of literature that discussed the […]
• Cleopatra’ and Caesar’ Relationship It must be noted though that based off historical accounts the relationship between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar was bound to fail even before it started due to the volatile combination of their personalities and the […]
• Shakespeare Authorship Question: Thorough Analysis of Style, Context, and Violence in the Plays Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night It should be stated that even though most of the scholars point to the fact that Shakespeare was not the author of the plays, I would like to contradict this opinion and prove that Shakespeare’s […]
• Julius Caesar and Rome Julius also lost support from the Senate because he was perceived as a leader of the masses rather than the aristocrats. To some extent, Caesar was a statesman because he cared about the needs of […]
• Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare The thought provoking tales in the book is something that arouses one’s consciousness and broadens one’s imaginations on the event that led to Caesar’s death as it makes the ardent readers to have a kind […]
• The Styles of Rhetoric Used in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Leadership Qualities of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Wive’s Role in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Utilization of Letters in the Play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Rule Of Julius Caesar And How The Leap Year Was Started
• The Tragic Hero with the Leading Role in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Warnings in Dreams, Nature, and Prophecies in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Symbol of Honor in the Character of Brutus in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Life, Ambition, and Success of Julius Caesar as a Ruler of the Roman Republic
• The Rhetorical Devices Used in William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• Understanding William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• The Use of Dramatic Irony and Apostrophes in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Honorable Assassination and Brutus’s Epigraph in William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar
• Why Did The Conspirators Justify The Murder Of Julius Caesar
• Understanding the Events Surrounding the Killing of Julius Caesar In 44 BC
• The History of England, from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Abdication of James the Second
• The Power of the Word of God in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Themes of Power in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Alan Parker’s Pink Floyd: The Wall and the Movie Lord of the Flies
• The Importance of Speech in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Power of Mark Antony’s Speech in Julius Caesar and Winston Churchill
• The Hunger for Power in Roman Politics in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Theme of Jealousy in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• Why Cassius Is The Greatest Manipulator In Julius Caesar By William Shakespeare
• Truth Among Lies in William Shakespeare’s Play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Upfront and Direct Character of Julius Caesar in the Story of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Theme of Power Corrupts People in the Play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Northern Star And The Many Descriptions Of Julius Caesar
• Use Of Rhetorical Appeals In Julius Caesar: Brutus Vs Antony
• The Similarities Between Elie Wiesel’s Ethical Reasoning and Brutus’ Speech in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• Vicky Stevens on the Reasons Behind the Assassination of Julius Caesar
• The Portrayal Of Brutus As A Tragic Hero In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• The Historical Facts of the Life of Caesar in William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Tragic Rise and Fall of Two Incredible Men: John Lennon and Julius Caesar
• The Theme of Ambition and Its Consequences in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Role of the Minor Conspirators in the Play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Questionable Characters of the Heroes in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Violence in Rome During the Time of Pompey and Julius Caesar
• The Show of Dictatorship in William Shakespeare’s Play, Julius Caesar
• The True Human Features of Characters in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Significance of Brutus in the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• Theme of Violence in Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• The Political Atmosphere After the Death of Julius Caesar
• The Stray Path of Brutus in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• The Internal Conflict of Brutus in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• Why Was Augustus Caesar a Better Ruler Than Julius Caesar?
• Was Julius Caesar’s Assassination Justified?
• Was Julius Caesar a Good Leader?
• How Was Julius Caesar Murdered?
• Why Did the Conspirators Justify the Murder of Julius Caesar?
• Was the Senate Justified in Killing Julius Caesar?
• What Was the Best Name for Julius Caesar?
• How Did Julius Caesar Affect Rome?
• What Is Julius Caesar Known For?
• Were There Any Reasons to Kill Julius Caesar?
• How Were Julius Caesar’s Actions of Intelligence and Leadership?
• How Did Julius Caesar Look?
• Who Killed Julius Caesar?
• How Were Women Treated in Roman Times in Julius Caesar Versus Modern Times?
• Was Julius Caesar a Natural Person?
• What Did Julius Caesar Think of Alexander the Great?
• Why Did Brutus Betray His Best Friend Julius Caesar?
• How Ruthless Was Julius Caesar?
• Were the Conspirators Right to Murder Julius Caesar?
• Why Was Julius Caesar So Powerful?
• What Was Julius Caesar’s Biggest Mistake That Led to His Downfall?
• What Are Five Facts About Julius Caesar?
• How Did Brutus Join the Failure of Julius Caesar?
• What Did Julius Caesar Say to Brutus?
• How Does the 1963 Film Present the Relationship Between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar?
• What Made Julius Caesar a Tragic Hero?
• Who Took Over After Julius Caesar Died?
• Who Ruled Rome After Julius Caesar?
• Why Is Julius Caesar Still Important Today?
• How Julius Caesar Impacted Roman History?
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100+ Julius Caesar Essay Topics

Table of Contents

What is a Julius Caesar Essay?

A Julius Caesar essay refers to a piece of writing that delves into the life, times or works related to Julius Caesar, the Roman military general and statesman. Such essays can focus on a variety of topics ranging from his political strategies, personal life, and the conspiracies surrounding his assassination to his impact on the Roman Empire and beyond. They can also explore the themes, characters, and significance of William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar.”

Choosing the Perfect Julius Caesar Essay Topic: A Quick Guide

Selecting a topic for your Julius Caesar essay can seem daunting, given the breadth of subjects available. Here’s a concise guide to help:

• Interest Level : Choose a topic you’re passionate about. The more intrigued you are, the deeper you’ll delve, and the richer your essay will be.
• Scope : Ensure your topic isn’t too broad. Narrowing it down makes for a more focused and engaging read.
• Research Availability : Ensure there’s enough information available on the chosen topic.
• Unique Perspective : Strive for a fresh take on a common topic or pick a less explored subject for originality.

Julius Caesar Essay Topics Lists

Historical analysis.

• The political strategies of Julius Caesar: Achievements and downfalls.
• Analyzing Caesar’s role in the Gallic Wars.
• The transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire: How Caesar played a pivotal role.

Personal Life and Relationships

• The significance of Cleopatra in Julius Caesar’s life.
• A deep dive into Caesar’s early life and upbringing.
• The relationship between Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus: Friends turned foes.

Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

• Analyzing the themes of power and betrayal in “Julius Caesar”.
• Portrayal of Roman politics in Shakespeare’s play.
• Character analysis: Marc Antony’s oratory skills in “Julius Caesar”.

The Assassination

• The conspiracies leading up to Caesar’s assassination.
• The political implications of Caesar’s death on the Roman Empire.
• The “Ides of March”: The significance of the date of Caesar’s assassination.

Caesar’s Legacy

• How the Roman Empire changed post-Caesar.
• Caesar’s lasting impact on military tactics and strategies.
• The linguistic legacy of Julius Caesar: Origin of “Caesarian” and “July”.

Modern Interpretations

• Representations of Julius Caesar in popular media and film.
• Comparisons between Julius Caesar’s leadership and modern political leaders.
• How Julius Caesar’s assassination parallels modern political conspiracies.

Julius Caesar: The Man and His Time

• The early years: Julius Caesar’s upbringing and its influence on his leadership.
• Julius Caesar’s relationships with prominent women of his time.
• The role of religion and superstition in Caesar’s life.
• Caesar’s health issues: How they impacted his leadership.
• Caesar’s oratory skills and their significance in his rise to power.

Military Conquests and Strategies

• Caesar in Gaul: Analyzing the Gallic Wars and their importance.
• The strategic significance of the Battle of Alesia.
• How Caesar’s military tactics changed the face of Roman warfare.
• Caesar’s naval achievements: Often overshadowed, but significant.
• The importance of alliances and betrayals in Caesar’s military campaigns.

Politics and Power Plays

• The First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.
• Caesar’s return to Rome: Crossing the Rubicon and its implications.
• The reforms Julius Caesar introduced during his leadership.
• Caesar’s relationship with the Senate: A dynamic of power and politics.
• How Caesar’s populist policies won him favor among the plebeians.

The Assassination of Julius Caesar

• The significance of the “Ides of March”.
• The main conspirators against Julius Caesar: Who were they and why did they conspire?
• How Caesar’s assassination changed the course of Roman history.
• The immediate aftermath of Caesar’s assassination: Rome’s power vacuum.
• Portents and omens: Did Caesar foresee his own death?

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

• A character analysis of Brutus: Noble hero or traitorous villain?
• The role of fate and free will in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”.
• How Shakespeare’s play deviates from historical accounts.
• The significance of the supernatural in “Julius Caesar”.
• Analyzing the rhetoric of Mark Antony’s funeral speech.

Julius Caesar’s Legacy

• The establishment of the Roman Empire: How Caesar paved the way.
• Caesar’s impact on subsequent Roman leaders.
• The linguistic contributions of Julius Caesar to modern languages.
• Julius Caesar in art, literature, and popular culture.
• The modern perception of Julius Caesar: Dictator or visionary leader?

Debates and Controversies

• Was Julius Caesar a reformer or a tyrant?
• The pros and cons of Caesar’s dictatorship.
• Caesar’s controversial decision to declare himself “dictator in perpetuity”.
• How Julius Caesar’s leadership compares to other great leaders in history.
• The role of propaganda during Caesar’s reign: Separating myth from reality.

The Broader Impact of Caesar’s Reign

• The influence of Julius Caesar on Roman architecture and urban development.
• Caesar and the expansion of the Roman language and culture.
• Economic reforms under Julius Caesar: Benefits and drawbacks.
• Caesar’s approach to foreign relations and diplomacy.
• The significance of the Julian Calendar and its adoption.

Julius Caesar’s Political Acumen

• Caesar’s use of propaganda to shape public perception.
• The role of Caesar’s clemency policy in consolidating his power.
• How Caesar manipulated the existing Roman political structure to his advantage.
• Caesar’s land reforms: Beneficial changes or political maneuvers?

Interpersonal Dynamics in Caesar’s Life

• The intricate relationship between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in the First Triumvirate.
• Caesar and Cleopatra: A political alliance, romance, or both?
• How Caesar’s friendships and alliances influenced his political decisions.

Analyzing Caesar’s Military Campaigns

• The significance of Caesar’s invasion of Britain.
• How the Gallic Wars paved the way for Caesar’s rise to ultimate power in Rome.
• Caesar’s military innovations and their long-term impacts on warfare.

Themes and Characters in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

• The moral dilemma faced by Brutus in Shakespeare’s rendition.
• The portrayal of Roman mob mentality in the play.
• The dichotomy between Cassius’s envy and Brutus’s honor.

Reflections on Caesar’s Leadership Style

• An evaluation of Caesar as a servant leader.
• How Caesar’s leadership compares with other great leaders in world history.
• The balance between Caesar’s autocratic tendencies and his populist policies.

The Enduring Impact and Legacy of Julius Caesar

• Caesar’s influence on the evolution of the Roman Empire’s governance structures.
• How the assassination of Julius Caesar reflects societal attitudes towards ambitious leaders.
• The long-term impacts of the Julian calendar on world history.

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Useful References:

• The Life of Julius Caesar – A comprehensive biography.
• Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar – SparkNotes guide.
• Julius Caesar and the Transformation of the Roman Republic – An Academic Perspective.

• Julius Caesar

William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• The Question of Leadership
• Play Summary
• About Julius Caesar
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 4
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Act V: Scene 2
• Act V: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 4
• Act V: Scene 5
• Character Analysis
• Character Map
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes
• Weather as a Major Symbol
• Female Roles
• Theater within a Theater
• Top 5 Quotes Explained
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• Essay Questions
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• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays The Question of Leadership

Who's in charge, who ought to be in charge, and how well are those in charge doing? These are central questions in Julius Caesar . The Elizabethan expectation would be that the ruling class ought to rule and that they ought to rule in the best interests of the people. Such is not the case in the Rome of this play. Barely controlled chaos has come to Rome, and this unsettled state is personified in the first scene of Julius Caesar through the characters of the cobbler and the carpenter. These characters give readers a sense that the people themselves are a sort of amorphous mass, potentially dangerous and, at the same time, absolutely essential to the success of the ruling class. Throughout the play, they are addressed: Caesar must give them entertainment and seeks their approbation for his crowning, Brutus recognizes that he must explain his actions to them, and Antony uses them for his own purposes. Yet, despite the plebeians' surging power, real chaos actually lies in the failure of the ruling class to exercise their authority properly and to live by the accepted rules of hierarchy and order.

These same threats and concerns resonated to an Elizabethan audience. At the time this play was performed in 1599, civil strife was within living memory. Henry VIII's reformation of the Church of England had brought violence and unrest to the country. In addition, despite all of his efforts, Henry had not provided a living and legitimate male heir for England. At his death, his daughter Mary returned the church to the bosom of Rome, demanding that her subjects align themselves with Catholicism. When Mary, too, died without heir, her sister, Elizabeth, took the throne. What followed was a long period, from 1548 to her death in 1603, of relative peace and prosperity. However, Elizabeth's subjects experienced unease during her reign. She was, after all, a woman, and according to the Elizabethan understanding of order, men ruled women, not the other way around.

Her subjects wished for Elizabeth to marry for a number of reasons. They would have felt much more secure knowing that a man was in charge, but further, they were tired of worries over succession. A legitimate heir was necessary. The Queen, on the other hand, over the period of her fertility refused the suits of a number of appropriate men, knowing that once married, she would no longer rule the realm. By the time this play was performed Elizabeth was an old woman, well beyond the age of childbearing. Even then, she refused to name an heir and the country worried that they would face another period of unrest at her death.

But even without this historical context, Elizabethans would have been interested in questions of order and hierarchy — questions raised by the political upheaval of Julius Caesar . The Elizabethan worldview was one in which everyone had their place. In many ways, they understood the world in terms of the family unit. God was the head of the heavenly family, with Jesus as his son. The monarch was subservient only to God, receiving power to head the English family from Him. The monarch's subjects maintained their kingdoms through the various levels of society and finally into their own homes, with men ruling their wives and wives ruling their children. Elizabethan thinking went so far as to order all living things in a hierarchy known as the Great Chain of Being , from God and the various levels of angels right through to the lowliest animal. In such a rigidly structured society it is entirely understandable that its members would be interested in exploring and examining the potentials of and the excitement that would be provided by an inversion of that order.

On the other hand, while it would have been acceptable to examine this relatively objective philosophical issue in the public theater, it would have been much less acceptable (to say the least) to set it within the context of the history of their own period. No direct questioning of England's state or monarch would have been possible. Playwrights of the time were aware of the dilemma and crafted their plays so that they would not offend. The setting of this play, therefore, in ancient Rome was the perfect answer. The story, taken from the Roman historian, Plutarch's, work called Lives , was well known to Shakespeare's audience, full of drama and conflict, and was sufficiently distant in time to allow both Shakespeare and his audience to operate in safety.

Now, on to the play itself. At the point in ancient history in which Julius Caesar is set, Rome was becoming slightly more democratic — well, democratic in their terms, not in modern ones. Tribunes, meant as representatives of the people, were being elected in order to protect them from the rigors of tyranny. Thus, to have a man like Caesar, charismatic and fresh from military triumph, come into the city and begin to establish himself as a supreme ruler was a dangerous trend. It is not surprising, then, that Flavius and Marullus behave as they do at the beginning of the play. They are, in effect, doing their job properly and to an Elizabethan audience their behavior, despite its autocratic tone to a modern reader's ears, would have been perfectly acceptable and should have been met with obedience and respect. The carpenter and cobbler, however, are barely under control and show little respect, although they do ultimately obey.

But it is not the masses who are the problem in this play. The real failure is that the ruling class does not rule properly. Instead of uniting for the good of the people as they ought to, they imagine themselves as individuals forming small splinter groups that, in the end undermine genuine authority. By disabling themselves in this way, the aristocratic class can still manipulate unruly plebeians but cannot keep them in check.

As a member of that class, Brutus is as much at fault as anyone else. It is, in fact, tempting to think of Brutus as an entirely sympathetic character. At the end of the play, the audience hears extravagant words of praise: "This was the noblest Roman of them all" and "This was a man." By this point, however, readers ought to mistrust their reactions to such praise. Antony and Octavius have shown themselves to be perfectly capable of using and misusing language in order to establish their own positions, and the play has given ample evidence of a tendency to objectify the dead rather than to remember them as they actually were.

To be fair, there are gradations of character fault in this play and Brutus is more sympathetic than other characters. He does indeed believe that what he has done by murdering Caesar was necessary, and believes that anyone who hears his rationale will side with him. His very naïveté suggests innocence. On the other hand, upon examining his soliloquy in Act II, Scene 1, note that Brutus must do a fair amount to convince himself that Caesar must die: He has to admit that Caesar has not yet done anything wrong and so decides that his violent act will be preemptory, heading off the inevitable results of Caesar's ambition. Brutus' dilemma is that he has bought into the belief that if one lives life entirely by a philosophy — in his case one of logic and reason — everyone will be all right. He denies any other viewpoint and so is as blinded as Caesar is deaf. Before praising Brutus as Antony does after his death, remember that Brutus brought himself and the state of Rome to a point of such instability.

Antony, another member of that ruling class, is also one of the more sympathetic characters of the play. But is he a good ruler? The audience may like him for his emotion. His outrage at the murder of Caesar and his tears over Caesar's corpse are undoubtedly genuine. His revenge is partly fuelled by the horror and anger he feels at the outrage, and the reader is drawn to such loyalty. In addition, the skill that he exhibits in his manipulation of theatrical effects and language during his funeral oration is powerful and attractive. Yet, Antony is culpable too. While his emotional response is undoubtedly justified, it, too, contributes to unrest and political instability. While he, Octavius, and Lepidus ultimately form a triumvirate to return the state to stability, in fact, that it is a ruling structure fraught with problems. Lepidus is weak and a power struggle is on the horizon for Antony and Octavius. (In Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra , Octavius is the ultimate winner of that struggle.)

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Julius Caesar Essay Topics

50 julius caesar essay topics approved by pro writers.

It is difficult to find a more prominent military leader and politician of the Roman Republic than Julius Caesar. His contribution to the development of the ancient Roman state can hardly be overestimated, and at the same time, he was not only a successful politician but also a talented military leader.

In the immortal work of William Shakespeare, viewers are shown the end of this great dictator’s life as a result of a conspiracy and a successful assassination attempt. The main goal of the conspirators was that they wanted to prevent Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses (G. C. of the Juliuses) from gaining absolute power and thereby lose the privilege that had been with them for many years.

Students are often asked to write essays about the dictator’s life and personality in Shakespeare’s work at universities and schools. If you have just such a situation, choosing a topic for an essay is one of the most important points.

How to Select the Best Julius Caesar Essay Topic?

It often happens that the choice of the topic of the essay is sometimes more difficult than the writing of this essay. After all, it is important that your choice was approved and liked by your tutor. Often you have to look for something unusual to make your essay stand out from your classmates’ work because unique and innovative content is always highly appreciated.

If the topic of your essay is Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses, then first you need to think about the following points:

• Choose the topic that you know best.
• The topic should not be too popular and stand out from most of the work that your classmates write.
• It would be nice to choose a topic that will be difficult but not too much to prevent writing an essay from turning into torture.
• You need to ensure you have enough information about the topic you have chosen to write for your essay.

List of Julius Caesar Essay Topics – BEST 10

In this part of the article, we tried to collect the best and most balanced essay topics for Julius Caesar:

• The life and death of the great tyrant.
• J. Caesar and Brutus.
• The personality of the tyrant.
• J. C. in the history of modern Italy.
• The influence of the views of J. C. on Roman statehood.
• Dictator’s political portrait.
• The development of Roman politics after the tyrant’s death.
• Roman consul and the revolt of the Vercingetorix.
• Political portrait of G. C.
• G. C. of the Juliuses and his dictatorship.

10 Essay Topics for the Julius Caesar Tragedy

This collection of topics can be used both for writing an essay on William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and for reviewing the dictator as a historical figure:

• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses as a statesman.
• The most popular Roman political leader.
• The life path of the tyrant.
• The life and military activities of the most famous Roman consul.
• J. C. as a usurper of political power.
• Roman dictator Gaius Caesar.
• Gaius and his conquests.
• J. C. as a Roman general.
• G. C. through the eyes of his contemporaries.
• Julius Caesar statesman and military leader.

10 Julius Caesar Miss Effie Essay Topics

A collection of 10 most relevant essay topics according to Miss Effie:

• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses and Pompey.
• Childhood of the great dictator.
• J. Caesar’s reforms.
• The first triumvirate.
• J. C. and Antony, a history of friendship.
• G. C. and the first conquest of Gaul.
• G. C. Biography.
• Julius politics of power.
• Cicero and Gaius.
• J. C. and his ideas about the state.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare: Argumentative Essay Topics

Shakespeare’s immortal work tells us about the last days of the great dictator and his tragic death as a result of a conspiracy:

• How has William Shakespeare described the Roman Senate?
• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses is the greatest Roman.
• Historical portrait of J. C.
• First Roman Emperor.
• Conquest of Gauls.
• J. C. life and political path.
• G. C. as the first emperor.
• “Gaius Julius Caesar” by Shakespeare. The story of immortality.
• The assassination of the usurper.
• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses. Man and politician.

10 Julius Caesar Essay Ideas to Streamline Your Inspiration

If none of the above topics attracted your attention, then here we offer you another ten options. With them, you can give free rein to your inspiration:

• The relationship between dictator and Octavius.
• The first triumvirate and its members.
• Roman political system under the tyrant’s rule.
• The life and work of G. J. C.
• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses and the campaign against the Germans.
• Romans consul political views.
• Gaius Caesar of the Juliuses and his empire.
• The usurper and his conquest of Egypt.
• The Juliuses and Brutus dynasties in ancient Rome.
• The relationship between dictator and Cleopatra.

When choosing a topic for an essay dedicated to any historical personality, you need to be careful since a bland listing of historical facts will not bring you the desired high marks. In any of the topics, you need to do deep research and study history. However, if you have little time and cannot do everything properly, then it is better not to do it at random, but to order an essay in our company.

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Calpurnia: the Unseen Influence Behind Julius Caesar

This essay shines a spotlight on Calpurnia, the often overlooked yet intriguing wife of Julius Caesar, highlighting her subtle yet significant influence in the turbulent era of Ancient Rome. It portrays Calpurnia not just as a figure in the background but as an active participant in the political and personal life of Caesar, showcasing her role as a noblewoman, confidante, and advisor. The narrative delves into her insightful premonition of Caesar’s assassination and her entrusted role in managing his personal documents post-mortem, reflecting her intelligence and resilience. The piece eloquently argues that Calpurnia’s story is emblematic of the many unsung women in history, underscoring the importance of recognizing their contributions and narratives. Through Calpurnia’s lens, the essay invites readers to reconsider the silent yet impactful presences behind historical titans, portraying her life as a testament to understated elegance, wisdom, and strength in a male-dominated society. Moreover, at PapersOwl, there are additional free essay samples connected to Julius Caesar.

How it works

When we traverse the annals of history, particularly the tumultuous times of Ancient Rome, the name Julius Caesar often takes center stage. However, lurking in the shadows of his grand narrative is a figure equally compelling but far less sung – Calpurnia, Caesar’s last wife. Calpurnia’s life is a tapestry of intrigue, power dynamics, and subtle influence, making her a fascinating character in her own right.

Calpurnia Pisonis, often merely a footnote in the extensive chronicles of her illustrious husband, was more than just a passive observer to the seismic events that shaped the Roman Empire.

She was a member of the Pisonis family, a noble lineage, though not as politically influential as the Julii. This background gave her a unique vantage point, situated at the nexus of privilege and power but without the overbearing scrutiny faced by the likes of Caesar.

Her marriage to Julius Caesar was not just a union of two people but a confluence of two potent forces. While Caesar was gallivanting across Europe, expanding the empire, and etching his name in the annals of history, Calpurnia was the steadying force back home. The dynamics of their relationship, though not elaborately documented, speak volumes through the few anecdotes that survive. One of the most telling is her premonition about Caesar’s assassination. The night before the Ides of March, she dreamt of her husband’s murder and pleaded with him not to go to the Senate. Caesar, for all his bravado and might, heeded her fears and almost avoided his fate, only to be persuaded at the last moment by Decimus Brutus.

This incident illuminates Calpurnia’s role – not just as a wife but as a confidante and advisor. Her insights and intuitions, although not always heeded, were a testament to her acumen and connection with Caesar. The fact that Caesar, a man not easily swayed by superstitions or fear, considered her warnings seriously, indicates the respect and importance she held in his life.

However, Calpurnia’s story doesn’t end with Caesar’s assassination. After his death, she remained a figure of significance, albeit in a more subdued manner. She was entrusted with Caesar’s personal papers and his will, a task that speaks volumes about the trust and respect he had for her intelligence and capabilities. Her life post-Caesar is shrouded in mystery, but her actions during and after his death suggest a woman of resilience and depth, navigating the treacherous waters of Roman politics with grace and strength.

Calpurnia’s narrative is a poignant reminder of the countless women in history whose stories remain untold or understated. Her life, intertwined with one of history’s most prominent figures, was not just a reflection of her times but also a testament to her individuality and influence. In a society where women were often relegated to the background, Calpurnia’s presence in Caesar’s life was a statement of her persona – subtle yet significant, gentle yet impactful.

In conclusion, while the grandiose deeds of Julius Caesar are celebrated and studied, it’s crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the silent, steadfast support and influence of figures like Calpurnia. Her story, though not as widely documented, is a compelling narrative of loyalty, insight, and quiet strength. As we delve into history, it’s essential to remember that behind every great man like Caesar, there’s not just a great woman, but a great story waiting to be told. Calpurnia, in all her understated elegance and wisdom, is indeed one such story, echoing through the ages, reminding us of the unseen and unsung influencers of history.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Julius Caesar — Julius Caesar Character Analysis

Julius Caesar Character Analysis

• Categories: Julius Caesar Personal Qualities

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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