Julius Caesar Play

THE ENCHANTED ISLAND

Relationships between :

a) Cassius and Brutus

Cassius and Brutus, in the beginning if the story are a very odd pair. They had nothing to do with each other until Cassius brought up their common ground, that Caesar is getting too powerful for his own good.As the story progresses Cassius and Brutus become very good friends. A few of their similarities are mistakes (example : Cassius wanted to kill Caesar for personal reasons but Brutus thought he was doing it for Rome) but they end up being close companions. At one point in the story we find them discussing their fears and personal feelings . Cassius first uses Brutus to get to Caesar and to help him with the hideous murder plot but when the plot backfires and they are forced to flee Rome in order to save their lives everything changes. They end up fighting together against basically all of Rome and slowly the curtains begin to close on their live because of the evil deed they had done.

b)Caesar and Cassius

Caesar and Cassius were anything but friends, they’re relationship was the exact opposite of that of Caesar and Mark-Antony. Cassius was an evil and wicked man who had always admired Caesar’s competitior Pompei. He had never liked Caesar and had made it his life’s ambition to kill him.Cassius was the mastermind behind the entire murder (along with some help from Brutus) but little did he know that this gruesome plot would turn right around and kill him as well.

Caesar was not foolish, he was aware of Cassius’ state. Many times he would note the man’s vile personality – “ Jealous, ambitious and revengeful”. He saw Cassius whispering to Brutus and became very suspicious of them. (This he told Mark-Antony) Caesar did not like Cassius from the beginning.

c) Caesar and Mark-Antony

Caesar and Mark-Antony were the best of friends. They both confided in each other and told each other their issues with no problem. Caesar told Mark-Antony his slightest suspicion about Cassius and many other things. They were the perfect example of loyalty.After Caesar’s death, Mark-Antony lusted for them to kill him as well; he did not want to go on living without his companion. When he was spared, he made up his mind to use his life that he had left and avenge the conspirators. After totally deceiveing them (shaking their hands), he continues with his plot and at the funeral ceremony turned Rome against them. He did this with a touching speech. When he was sure that Rome was on his side, he set out with his armies to take down the conspirators and make sure that they rested in early graves.

d) Caesar and Brutus

Caesar and Brutus were fair friends. They were not as close as Caesar and Mark-Antony, but friends nonetheless. Caesar had trust in Brutus and Brutus turned around and betrayed him. Brutus thought that Caesar had too much power for his own good and set out to kill him “to protect Rome” but ended up reaking havoc. When Caesar was dying he reached out his hands and was asking Brutus to help him when Brutus took out a dagger and stabbed him right in the heart. It was then Caesar said the famous words “Et tu Brutus” which means “and you Brutus”. Later on in the story Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus and tells him that he will meet him on the battlefield. A few days later Brutus ends up committing suicide. The case of Brutus and Caesar was a perfect display if deception and betrayal.

How Caesar could have avoided his death

Caesar’s death, though fatal and seemingly supirzing could have easily been avoided if he had just opened his eyes to the many warnings he received. The first and most explicit warning was the fortune teller who told him to “Beware the ides of march” two times. Caesar, too consumed with his rich lifestyle as a popular person payed no attention to the “dreamer” and went on about his business.

The second warning was the night of the 14th of March. It was a violent stormy night and bad omens were on the street. Odd sights which anyone would have seen as signs , anyone except Caesar. That same night, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia had three bad dreams. In all three dreams, she dreamed that Caesar was murdered and Romans were washing their hands in his blood. Caesar, concerned about his wife, agrees to stay home, a sensible act, Caesar was avoiding his death until, Decius a conspirator came and lied to Caesar about the dream’s meaning. Decius said that the dream meant that he would bring “new blood, new life to Rome”. Caesar, gullibly believes him and quickly sets off for the Capitol, against his wife’s wishes, falling right into the trap.

The next day, on his way to the Capitol, Caesar meets up with the fortune teller who once again warns him about the Ides of March. Caesar, once again pays him no mind. Soon after this he is met by a philosopher named Artemidorous who has a very important letter for Caesar (with the names of all the conspirators in it). Caesar, now irritated with everyone’s odd behaviour snaps at him telling him that he is a mad man and walks on.

The final warning Caesar got was a senator wishing Cassius good luck with his enterprise. Caesar does not even think of this as one bit suspicious and walks into the Capitol, soon to meet his ill fate.