Examples Of Betrayal In Julius Caesar

In the timeless classic Julius Caesar, author William Shakespeare creates a stellar narrative that follows the tale of the assassination of Roman dignitary Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, Shakespeare emphasizes and develops a key theme or principle about a problem in society. This principle directly correlates with, and is developed through the interactions among important characters. With these various interactions, Shakespeare develops a key theme that is present in his play. Through the betrayals committed by Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus, Shakespeare illustrates that betrayal never ends well and that those who commit it shall always pay for it.
The betrayals at the hand of Cassius emphasize the key concept that consequences befall …show more content…
A primary example of Brutus’s betrayal can be seen when he states that only “by [Caesar’s] death” can he actually save Rome (2.1.10). In this soliloquy, Brutus conspires against Caesar by claiming that he must kill him due to the belief that he will become a power crazed tyrant. By plotting against Caesar and joining the conspiracy against Caesar, Brutus betrays their friendship and Caesar’s trust. This in turn ends badly for him due to the consequences resulting from the assassination of Caesar, including Brutus’s own suicide. Another example of Brutus’s betrayal in the play can be seen when “Casca strikes, [and] the others rise up and stab Caesar.”, and Caesar proclaims “Et tu, Bruté?—Then fall, Caesar.” (3.1.84-85). At this moment, Brutus brutally murdered Caesar with the help of the other conspirators, and Caesar could not believe it. By murdering Caesar, Brutus completely betrays him, and the ramifications of this are seen in the battle that follows afterwards. A tertiary example of Brutus’s betrayal can be seen when he addresses the Roman citizens about Caesar and states “as he was ambitious, I slew him.” (3.2.28). In this address to the plebeians, Brutus portrays Caesar as a power-hungry and overly ambitious man in order to justify his assassination. Brutus tears down Caesar’s character and betrays him by making false accusations and insulting the man he once regarded highly. However, this betrayal ends up poorly for him much later, as Antony counteracts this statement while leading many Romans against him in battle. Brutus’s betrayals, along with those of Cassius, promote the key principle in Julius Caesar that betrayal never ends well for those who commit

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