FREE ESSAY ON CAESAR

CAESAR

Expository Essay
The decisions that one man makes can determine the length of life. Rome has many people
that have the characteristics to be great leaders. Antony is a manipulative man, Brutus
is an honorable man, and Octavius is a quiet strength. All three men would do an
excellent job in leading Rome. 
Antony is a manipulative man. This is shown throughout the play in several cases, but
most prominently at Caesar's funeral. "I thrice presented him a kingly crown which he did
thrice refuse. Was this ambition?" (III, ii, 96-96). Antony is very cleaver in the way
that he presents his case to the people. He uses rhetorical questioning to show the
people that Caesar was in fact not ambitious. Antony also played on the people's greed,
to influence them to his side. "I found it in his closet; 'tis his will/and they would go
kiss Caesar's dead wounds..." (III, ii, 129, 132-133). Antony is very smart in the way he
does this. He knows how to talk to the people to get them to believe his side of the
story and revenge Caesar's death. Likewise, Antony is conniving. He uses this strength by
flattering Brutus, and falsely befriending the conspirators into letting him speak at
Caesar's funeral. "I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand."
(III, i, 200-201). Antony presents his case in such a way that Brutus and the other
conspirators think that he is on their side, when in fact he really is going to turn the
common people against them to revenge Caesar's death by creating a war. 
Furthermore, Brutus is an honorable man giving him the chance to be a great leader.
Brutus is an idealist man, who is optimistic about assassinating Caesar. "Grant that, and
then is death a benefit. So are we Caesar's friends..." (III, i, 115). 
Brutus believes that with Caesar gone, Rome will greatly benefit. The common people will
not be treated like bondsman, and Rome will not have someone who is driven by ambition to
take over their country. Additionally, Brutus is also a noble person. Brutus helped in
the assassination of Caesar not for personal gain but for the love of Rome. "Not that I
loved Caesar lee, but that I loved Rome more." (III, ii, 21-22). Brutus is able to
satisfy that his motive is pure; that his action is without bitterness and that the
assassination of Caesar is for the general good of Rome. Brutus is also rigidly mortal.
"I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,
For I can raise no money by vile means.
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection. I did send
To you for gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me." 
(IV, iii, 78-86)
Brutus is distressed with Cassius because he is led to believe that Cassius is
accepting bribes, and denying Brutus the proper money to pay his troops. Brutus confronts
Cassius and tells him that he was wrong to misuse his power and be so dishonest. Brutus
clearly states that he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar, which in turn keeps his
motives pure and his reasons for helping in the assassination honorable. 
Above and beyond, throughout the play Octavius is seen as a silent character, yet shows
his strengths in several matters. Octavius is seen to be ill tempered. Though he is a
quiet man if challenged he will take action. "I do not cross you; but I will do so."
(V, I, 21). Octavius has much respect for Antony, however if he is challenged, or forced
to do so he will cross Antony. This shows us that Octavius will stand up for himself and
what he believes in. In addition, Octavius is respectful. "Within my tent his bones
to-night shall lie." (V, V, 83). Octavius is referring to Brutus' dead body, when he
recites these lines. He states this because he has the utter most respect for Brutus and
what he stands for. Octavius believes Brutus is a man of importance and one to be
honored, so he is going to honor him properly. Also, Octavius is a graceful man. 
"Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops.
Look, I draw a sword against conspirators;" 
(V, i, 52-55). 
He believed that what was done to Caesar was unjust and uncalled for. Octavius being of
Caesar's blood, his nephew, felt the only way to honor his dead uncle was to revenge his
death. Even thought Octavius is the quiet strength of the second triumphant, he displays
his leadership qualities and respect for others in a diplomatic way. 
In conclusion, throughout the play Rome has a source of people who would make excellent
leaders and guide Rome to victory. Antony is seen as being a manipulative man and proves
that nothing will stand in his way to revenge his friends death. Moreover, Brutus proves
that he is an honorable man by keeping his motives pure and standing by his story that he
truly loved Rome more than Caesar. Likewise, Octavius played a small roll as a quiet
by-stander, yet proved his point that he will not stand for being push around in any sort
of matter. Antony, Brutus, and Octavius learn that the decisions they make today could
very well be their death of tomorrow.