Shakespeare's Julius Caesar - The Treachery and Deception of Friendly Allegiances

Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays.

It also contains one of the most famous death scenes of all time. There are many themes worth exploring, including free will versus human fate and the inner turmoil that one faces when battling between private self and public self. Julius Caesar demonstrates that no matter what injustices or tragedies we may endure, there is always victory in the end.

Flavius and Marallus, two Roman 'judges' meant to protect the rights of Romans. They are in the streets of Rome and see a group of men, walking towards the city's center. They are going to see Julius Caesar, who has recently come back from Pompey rejoicing at his victory. Flavius orders the men to return home, and then asks Marallus to remove all of the ceremonial decorations in the city that are placed for Caesar. Marallus is hesitant to do so until Flavius reminds him they must remove them so that Caesar isn't worshipped and treated like a god. A Soothsayer calls out to Caesar to "beware the Ides of March" but he is ignored.

Brutus and Cassius, who are longtime acquaintances of Caesar converse. Brutus fears the people of Rome want Caesar to become King but he believes it would overturn the Republic. Cassius agrees, also believing that Caesar is just a man, but treated like a god. He blames Brutus and himself for Caesar's rise in power, and draws a plot to bring Brutus into a conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius knows if Brutus believes the people of Rome refuse Caesar as King, then together, they will do whatever they need to do to stop him. Cassius forges letters and places them in Brutus' home. Cassius appears at Brutus' home along with the conspirators, and they all, including Brutus, agree to lure Caesar out of his house and kill him.

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