DRAMATIC IRONY
Quote: "CAESAR: The ides of March are come. SOOTHSAYER: Ay, Caesar; but not gone" (pp. 40, III, i, 1-2).
Paraphrase/Context: Caesar is bragging to the soothsayer that the date he was warned about has come without any danger, but the soothsayer tells him there's still time. The soothsayer had previously warned Caesar to beware this day, but Caesar doesn't pay attention and thinks it's foolish.
Analysis: This represents dramatic irony because the reader/audience knows what lies in store for Caesar, but Caesar des not. The dramatic irony is heightened even more by the fact that Caesar is even told directly many times that something is going to happen, but he refuses to believe what the audience knows to be true. It is an important way to open the scene of Caesar's murder, and makes his death more bitter and tragic because it could have been avoided.
SARCASM
Paraphrase/Context: Marc Antony says this in his speech at Caesar's funeral. He continually repeats that Brutus and the other senators that killed Caesar are "honorable," while at the same time listing Caesar's virtues and making it very clear that he does not agree with what was done. The phrase literally means that Brutus is noble and acts in a moral manner, but Antony most likely does not mean this.
Analysis: Though it would be up to the actor/director to decide how overt the sarcasm is here, it is fairly evident that Marc Antony thinks Brutus and the other senators are anything but honorable. This makes the statement a sarcastic way of getting the citizens to turn against Brutus, and to ridicule him. This is very important to the scene because it shows Antony subverting the senators, and affects the characters by rousing their anger.
Caesar was an ethical leader because he focused on reforming society in order for the world's well-being as a whole to be possible. "Leaders of this type question whether "business as usual" is what they want to keep doing, and likely advocate changes to the accepted system" (Grace 9). He wanted change to happen and he wanted it to happen during his leadership, as he observed how many of his
Julius Caesar was a historical figure who has never failed to fascinate the people. He was a Roman army general and a politician as well. He put an end to the republican government in Rome and it was due to him that the reign of emperors began in Rome. Julius Caesar used the hardships and sufferings of the people of that time as a tool to develop his military as
After Cato saw that his forces were defeated by Caesar, in traditional Roman fashion, he fell on his sword and committed suicide. Despite this great loss for the Senatorial faction, Pompey's sons Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus Pompeius, together with Titus Labienus, Caesar's former propraetorian legate (legatus propraetore) and second in command in the Gallic War, escaped to Spain, where they continued to resist Caesar's dominance of the Roman world. Caesar
Even Brutus, who feared absolute power, became corrupt. The play explores different types of power, both the type that Caesar had bestowed upon him but also military power and power gained from making political connections demonstrated by Antony and Octavius. All types of power can be potentially abused. 2. Compare and contrast-Portia and Calpurnia The main difference between Calpurnia's role and Portia's is that the latter helps plot against Caesar while
Julius Caesar has remained one of the most poignant stories about a power struggle in the English language. It is precisely because personality cults have consistently eroded institutions of public office that this play will always remain relevant. The play illustrates not only that a popular yet unorthodox leader may sweep away democratic and free institutions, but that killing such a leader might result in even more turmoil. This was
Julius Caesar is an honorable man because he is a brave man, a good warrior, and a great leader. People are against him because he has become stronger and more powerful, but he repeatedly turns down the crown, which could make him a dictator. He does not worry about himself or his well being, he thinks about the people. He is also wise, and knows there are people he trusts
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now