Themes in Julius Caesar

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Courage:

 Cassius calls Caesar’s strength into question when he tells the story of Caesar’s swimming incident and sickness in Spain. Is there a hint that Caesar lacks the courage or strength to rule? How related are courage and strength?

 Why does Brutus regard suicide as a cowardly act? Why does he ultimately choose to embrace it? Is he embracing his own cowardice?

 Caesar dismisses Calpurnia’s fears as those of a weak and foolish woman. Is she cowardly for wanting Caesar to stay home? How does Caesar’s treatment of Calpurnia contrast with Brutus’ treatment of Portia?

Fate and Free Will:

 An important aspect of prophecy is interpretation: Caesar sees the gods mocking his cowardice in the sacrifice of a beast with no heart, and in the March 14th tempest, Casca sees the heavens condemning Caesar (rather than his own treachery). What inspires men to interpret prophecies one way or another? Do prophecies and predictions even matter, given that men will interpret them to their own desires?

 Do the conspirators believe that it’s Rome’s fate to be free from tyranny? Do they see their own fates, or the national fate, as the greatest motivator for their plot?

Power:

 Does Brutus assist in the murder of Caesar with no interest in the power he stands to gain by this act? Does Brutus think of himself as the natural leader in Caesar’s place?

 Is Caesar really ambitious? Can he rightfully be accused of wanting much more power than he had? What evidence do we have of his guilt or innocence? Pride:

 What’s the difference between arrogance and a healthy amount of confidence? Is arrogance something we look for in a leader because anything less would make him seem unsure and incapable?

 Is humility considered noble in the play? Does anyone get rewarded for it?

Principles (Honor):

 Brutus asks the people to believe him based on his honor, which they should interpret to mean he wouldn’t ever willingly harm Rome. Does the people’s esteem of Brutus mean anything, especially when we know they’re so easily swayed?

 Over Brutus’s body, Antony claims Brutus was the only honorable one of the conspiracy because he had no envy towards Caesar. Is this true? Did everyone else envy Caesar, and did Brutus not envy him?

Manipulation:

 Is it only the weak person who can be persuaded, or does it get even the best of us? Who gets persuaded in this play, and under what circumstances? Are they willing to be influenced, or are they victims of manipulation?

 When Casca first tells us about the mob coming to watch Caesar at the festival of Lupercal, he characterizes it as a group of idiots that would cheer if Caesar had stabbed their mother. What is it about heroes that convinces their followers that the hero can do no wrong? Are we persuaded to admire and forgive them because they’ve earned this by their actions, or is it just our devotion to the cult of personality?

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