William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is a play that explores the nuances of power and authority. The drama portrays the events leading up to Julius Caesar’s assassination from the perspectives of different characters, revealing the various motivations and justifications for their actions. At the heart of the play lies the concept of power and how it can be obtained, exercised, and lost. Through the characters' interactions, Shakespeare illuminates how the lack of power can be as consequential as the possession of it. This essay will analyze the play’s theme of powerlessness by examining the characters’ respective experiences with it and their impact on the story.
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'The Lack of Power in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: an Analysis'
The Characters and Powerlessness:
The first character to embody powerlessness in Julius Caesar is Cassius. Cassius feels a sense of inferiority and resentment towards Caesar, whom he views as an unworthy and undeserving ruler. Cassius’ feelings stem from his belief that he, along with Brutus, are more worthy of leadership than Caesar. However, because of the political climate, Caesar holds all the power, leaving Cassius and Brutus without any opportunities for advancement. As Cassius explains to Brutus, “Men at some time are masters of their fates. / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves that we are underlings” (I.ii.140-142). Cassius’ quote highlights how he sees himself and Brutus as “underlings” who lack agency and control over their lives. Cassius’ insecurities drive him to manipulate Brutus into joining the conspiracy to murder Caesar, hoping that by taking matters into their own hands, they can assert their power.
Similarly, Brutus grapples with feelings of powerlessness throughout the play. Brutus finds himself in a precarious position when he agrees to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar. On the one hand, he feels that he is doing it for the good of Rome, and that he is taking action to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrant. On the other hand, Brutus knows that he is acting out of desperation and insecurity. He knows that killing Caesar does not guarantee that they will gain power. Instead, the act may lead to chaos and bloodshed. Brutus' lack of agency is evident when he confesses to Cassius that he feels as though he is “with himself at war” (IV.iii.23). Brutus’ internal conflict reveals his powerlessness over his own thoughts and actions, as he is unsure whether they are truly for the greater good or just to assuage his fears.
In contrast to Cassius and Brutus, Caesar is portrayed as a man with excessive power. Caesar has accrued a lot of political power for himself and has become a ruthless dictator. However, despite being held in high regard by many Romans, Caesar is powerless to stop his assassination. His lack of power is evident when he tells Decius that he is “constant as the northern star” (III.i.60). Caesar believes that his authority is absolute and that no one would dare to challenge him. However, this hubris blinds him to the plot against him, leading to his eventual downfall. Even in death, Caesar is powerless, as he becomes a symbol for the political chaos that follows his assassination.
Finally, Antony and Octavius emerge as the dominant figures after Caesar’s death, highlighting the cyclical nature of power in politics. Antony and Octavius seize the power vacuum left behind by Caesar and engage in their own power struggle, ultimately leading to Octavius becoming the new ruler of Rome. Antony and Octavius’ power illustrates how those who are powerless can become powerful through opportunistic actions and alliances, solidifying the idea that power is constantly up for grabs in Roman politics.
In conclusion, Shakespeare explores the notion of powerlessness through the various characters in Julius Caesar. Through Cassius, Brutus, Caesar, and Antony and Octavius, the play reveals that power can be taken, lost, and wielded to varying degrees. Cassius and Brutus’ sense of powerlessness drives them into the conspiracy to kill Caesar, highlighting the desperation of those who lack power. Caesar is portrayed as too confident in his authority, leading to his eventual destruction. While Antony and Octavius demonstrate that, in politics, power can be obtained through strategic alliances and opportunistic actions. The play’s examination of power and powerlessness ultimately shows that anyone can be vulnerable to the shifting currents of power and that those who fall from grace tend to leave behind a vacuum that others will try to fill.
