A history of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Rome was established in 753 BC. For two hundred years previous to this date it was ruled by a series of tyrant kings. They were overthrown in 510BC by Lucius Brutus, an ancestor of Marcus Brutus, who appears as a significant character in the play. A democratic republic was soon formed which lasted for five hundred years. It should be noted that the Romans were fiercely proud of their democratic traditions.

Around 60BC three of the most successful leaders of their time formed an allegiance to rule Rome. These men were Pompey, Crassus and Caesar, and they were known as th

The livelong day, with patient expectation,

Caesar himself was cautious of public celebrations during the civil war. The tradition of bringing back and parading prisoners from the defeated army was temporarily altered by Caesar during this war, as he would only bring forth foreigners who stood against him, not Romans. However, in this last battle there were no foreigners, and his conquest was not seen as a true victory by all of Rome. This is clearly shown in the play as one of the primary motifs for the assassination of Caesar.

Caesar’s assassin, Marcus Brutus, is noted by the historian Plutarch as kind in nature. Even when Brutus and Caesar were fighting each other, Caesar had the utmost respect for him. Plutarch writes “it is said that Caesar had so great a regard for him that he ordered his commanders by no means to kill Brutus in the battle, but to spare him, if possible, and bring him safe to him, if he would willingly surrender himself.” His assassination of Caesar is seen by some as good as bad, and it is notable that in the play Julius Caesar there is no clear antagonist and protagonist. This almost entirely depends on the view of the reader. One may be obliged to think of Caesar as the antagonist because his rise to power was a threat to the Roman Republic, yet one may see Brutus and Cassius as the antagonists because they are essentially murderers.

to grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? (1.1)

Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar begins after Caesar had returned from a battle against Pompey and his men. It is evident that he has just defeated Pompey, and a Maru

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