Julius Caesar ! Essay

Despite the belief that Caesar would have made a good leader, a close reading of Julius Caesar shows that he would have indeed made self-centered and ‘cold’ leader. He talked of himself in third person, he didn’t listen to the cries and opinions of the citizens, and he also turned down the crown three times. Caesar never did let the words of others deter him from his goals or what he was going to do. “He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass” (Shakespeare, Act I, L.101). Even with his knowledge and “leadership skills”, he wouldn’t have made a good leader.
Caesar was very strong and wasn’t easily swayed by the talk of citizens. He didn’t let his feelings and emotions get the best of him at any time. “And, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed more than his reason.” (Shakespeare, Act 2, Scene One, L.19-21) These show strong characteristics, but also weak characteristics in Caesar. This shows that he really didn’t care about the opinions of the citizens. These were the people that would be under his rule when he became king. Input is always needed for the improvement of anything. He doesn’t want Antony to tell him what he fears, but Caesar is telling him what should be feared. “I rather tell thee what is to be feared, than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.” (Shakespeare, ACT 1, L.212-213) Caesar displays poor listening skills, because, of course, he dies, Even though the soothsayer told him to beware March 15th. “Beware the ides of March”. (Shakespeare, ACT 1, L.20). I mean, anyone in any time period would at least watch their backs if someone said anything like that to you. He didn’t have a hint of fear? “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them.” (Shakespeare, ACT 2, Scene2, L.105-106)That’s just ignorance, actually its more than that, it’s his pride. He doesn’t want people to see his weaker side. He wants people to see one side, Caesar the Great, Caesar the Leader. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is not good.

Caesar talked of himself in third person constantly. He believed that he was a higher power of some sort, or that he was above all the others that were around him. Who is it in the press that calls on me? “I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry “Caesar!”—Speak. Caesar is turned to hear.” (Shakespeare, Act 1, L. 17-20). His pride and self-centeredness got in the way of what he was truly supposed to be concerned with. He was too concerned with his meeting, to actually see the welfare of the country. To actually see what was going on. Where does he get the idea that he’s better than others you ask? That’s because everyone put him on the pedestal in which he was residing on. All of his followers and some of the citizens praised him every chance they got. Even though the citizens were already easily swayed. Caesar was very confident in himself that he was going to become leader, but so why did he turn down the crown three times? Julius Caesar turned down the offer for the crown three times. Caesar was self-centered, had a hard time listening, and deep down he wanted that crown. He only turned it down to make himself look better. He was going for a modest look. He wanted to make it seem like he wasn’t sure. When in reality, he knew exactly what he was doing and how he was going to do it. “Why, there was a crown offered him: and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.” (Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 2, L. 221-223). He wanted those praises, the questions, and the talk of the town to be all about him. He wanted all news to be all about him. We all know he was easily moved by compliments and praises. “I blame you not for praising Caesar so.”(Shakespeare, Act 3, Line 226). The people thought Caesar was good, and that he was a modest and caring person. They began to learn the real truth after he died. Caesar was fake, he was translucent, and he was a PHONY. He

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