Power Leads To Corruption
“If thou beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.” Scene II Act III lines 5-7
A lust for power will often lead people wandering towards evil and corruption. A recurring theme in Julius Caesar is corruption. As Rome continues to thrive, there is a shift in power as Caesar is slain and the Conspirators learn the consequences of assassinating Caesar and how their envy of Caesar overcame them. Power leads to corruption, and Caesar filled with greed and ambition led himself to his own demise. These qualities left him oblivious to reality as those without authority often crave power. Through his actions and how he shows himself both publicly and privately, it is a significant flaw in which Shakespeare chooses to detail.
Caesar’s greed for power left him feeble to those who would take advantage of this. As a private flaw, the greed in Caesar made him willing, and arrogant, as he would choose what was best for him, and not what is best for Rome. Caesar carries this trait as he stands up as a leader to Rome and once in power, craved more. As his authority grew, so did his greed. An example of his greed is when Decius says the Senate will offer him the crown, as Decius knew Caesar’s greed would cloud his thinking. “Decius “The Senate have concluded to give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change.”… Caesar “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them” Act II Scene II Lines 93-96 105-106. Caesar would not give up the opportunity to become king. He swiftly changed his mind as he seizes every chance he can get to improve status in Rome. This quotation shows how Caesar can quickly change his mind, and then blaming Calpurnia for ever trying to restrain him. The power he could gain from becoming king motivated him into going to Capitol, and led him into the devious plan of the Conspirators. Caesar ignored the warnings before him, such as Calpurnia’s dream of chaos and the augurers finding no heart in an animal, as a rise in power clouded his thoughts. Shakespeare constantly shows the flaws of his characters as Caesar is commonly shown as egotistic and greedy. Another time he is shown in the play as greedy is when he celebrates his victory over Pompey over the feast of Lupercal. This is to show his importance to the public, as he is better than any holiday. Flavius states “So do you too, where you perceive them thick. These growing feathers pluck’d from Caesar’s wing will make him fly an ordinary pitch, who else would soar above the view of men and keep us all in servile fearfulness.” Act I Scene I Lines 72-76. This states that the commoners of Rome should try and take down Caesar before he becomes a treat. This also characterizes Caesar as a greedy person as if he were to gain power he would use it keep himself in luxury and make the villagers work for him. Greed can be called a flaw or a gift; it motivated Caesar to gain his power, but also led him into danger and death.
Where ambition is found, danger is sure to follow. Caesar has chosen to keep his ambition to himself, veiling it whenever he is shown in the public. He chooses to do this, as he knows ambition would surely decline his public image, in which he tries hard to retain. Caesar is motivated by his ambitions only because of his greed. Without the will for power, he would have never achieved it. This affects his actions as he would try to veil his ambition whenever out in public. He would have to choose between showing his care for Rome or his care for himself. He tries to hide his ambitions but the Conspirators look through this and try to reveal Caesar for what he truly is. Caesar’s ambitions also changed how he would react to things. As an example he faints as he mistakes the crowd for booing at him rather than praising him. He faints because if the crowd were to hate him, than all his dreams of power would be crushed and broken. “Marry, before he fell down, when he perceiv’d the common herd was glad he refus’d the crown, he pluck’d me ope his doublet and offer’d them his throat to cut.” Act I Scene II lines 256-258. Caesar offers his head to the people, as he could never live without the luxury of power. Since his ambition motivates him, loosing his power would crush his personal character. Caesar has many traits that should be in a leader, but also carries many traits that would hinder his leadership.
Power leads to corruption, and thus Caesar wouldn’t have been a noble leader. His greed and ambition hindered and helped him throughout his journey. Greed led him to kill Pompey, but also led him to aim too high. Ambition led him to sly, swift actions, but also led him to become a victim of assassination. In the end he was killed for the right reasons and would never lead Rome again. But as he died, Antony took over his place, carrying on his legacy. Caesar’s achievements were carried on in Antony, and because of this he was able to have his name glorified throughout history. Caesars goal for having his name carried throughout history was achieved, this goal was noble to him, but his victory was short lived as power leads to corruption.
Pic Source: http://maftuhnurakhmad.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/julius-caesar-2.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment