Power In Julius Caesar Essay

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Within many pieces of literature, authors use different language to convey the theme or message of their piece. Within William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare constantly portrays multiple themes, one of which being power. Language is very important in communicating the theme of free will through the representation of power, pride, and free will. Within the play, power is only one of many relevant themes, one that is also in constant reference to Caesar. For example, Cassius says "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/Like a Colossus, and we petty men/Walk under his huge legs and peep about/To find ourselves dishonorable graves"(1.2.141-144). Through this language, Shakespeare demonstrates Cassius’ opinion on how he feels that Caesar has more power than he should. Not only that, Caesar says “I could be well moved, if I were as you;/ If I could pray to move, prayers would move me./ But I am constant as the Northern Star,/Of whose true fixed and resting quality” (3.1.63-66). This is Caesar’s way of explaining how he has more power over anyone, since he is saying he is constant in his decisions …show more content…
For instance, “Caesar should be a beast without a heart/If he should stay at home today for fear./No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well/That Caesar is more dangerous than he.” (2.2.44-47). As shown within the quote, Caesar talks about himself in the third person, which demonstrates arrogance. Caesar being represented as someone who refers to himself in the third person is a way of using language to represent the theme of pride in a negative way. Also, Antony says "So is my horse, Octavius, and for that/I do appoint him store of provender./It is a creature that I teach to fight,/To wind, to stop, to run directly on,/His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit" (4.1.33-37). Antony shares the trait of arrogance with Caesar and it is obviously represented through Shakespeare’s word

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