Character+Analysis-Caesar

Shakespeare depicts Caesar as indecisive to portray him as a reactive and unbalanced leader to also express that he shows the same traits of a tyrant. In addition, Caesar is revealed to be ignorant where flattery is concerned and highly affected by others' thoughts of him. Shakespeare also tends to take a more sympathetic approach to Brutus and a negative outlook on Caesar in general. Ciciero remarked earlier that "Men may construe things after their own fashion" which applies to Caesar disregarding the soothsayer's omens although he claims to be superstitious earlier in the play (1.3.454). In the beginning, he wants to believe the omens because it means his wife could get pregnant. However, he ignores the signs later because he doesn't want to believe that anyone is conspiring against him or face the reality of dying. He disregards the omens because he wants to believe that no-one else could be wiser than Caesar himself. Caesar yields to Calpurnia's pleas because of her insistent begging. However, he changes his mind again when Decius claims that her dream only "[s]ignifies that from you great Rome shall suck reviving blood"(2.2.1069-70). He claims that Rome will celebrate Caesar after he becomes king and relish in the glory of his honor and virtue. Caesar gives in to Decius which proves his weak spot for unrelenting flattery and a hungering ego. Caesar only completely agrees to go after Decius half mocks him by using the senators against Caesar. he accuses Caesar that they will think he is afraid and "whipped" which causes him to feel as if he must prove himself. Caesar's worst fear is others' disbelief in his power and strength. After Caesar becomes outraged, he begins to refer to himself as "I" instead of "Caesar". Shakespeare changes his diction to show how furious he is and fixated on proving his lack of fear instead of trying to show himself as a proper emperor. Although strength is important to Caesar his change if language shows his inner vulnerability. Shakespeare also causes Caesar to change throughout the play to reflect that he could be a tyrant because tyrants change their choices quickly and easily. By establishing that he is reactive and indecisive, Shakespeare creates Caesar to be a possible tyrant who is not the greatest option for Rome.