Opening-Closing+Scene

Journal" Act 1, Scene 1-Analyze Opening Scene

Shakespeare chooses to depict the unsettling, tense atmosphere of Rome instead of Julius Caesar himself to introduce a major conflict in the play that contrasts Caesar's views of political power and ideas versus the senators' beliefs. it heavily reflects the dived city, and thus the fights that must occur later. The senators are clearly bothered by Caesar's reign and continuously call the common people, "idle creatures"(1.1.11)., "the vulgar"(1.1.5), and "blocks... [s]tones...[s]enseless things"(1.1.40), believing that plebeians are stupid, worthless, and severely below them in all attributes. It's similar to how the Marquis in ATOTC felt when he refers to the people as vermin, and appears to believe they are an entire different species. Due to the names the politicians use, they seem to believe they are divine and should have more rights, wealth, and power. Since Caesar believed in rights for the lower classes, and Pompey supported the aristocracy, the peasants are extremely convivial whereas the politicians are fearful about their status. They are already distressed about the new rule of Caesar, and he hasn't even made any changes or reforms yet. Shakespeare stresses the rising tensions between the upper classes and Caesar to foreshadow the imminent chaos and bloodshed. The politicians are more concerned with losing their power than with the state of Rome. It doesn't matter if Caesar actually improves Rome because they are obsessed with their own titles and lives. After the peasant leave, Flavius comments, [w]ho else would soar above the view of men and keep us all in servile fearfulness"(1.1.80). The politicians most likely fear Caesar's immense military power, and believe there is a high probability they could be executed similar to the old triumvirate They also think Caesar is to ambitious and puts himself above everyone else. Pomepy may have subjugated the peasants, but Caesar will subjugate the aristocracy. They need to protect their power and will destroy anything in their way to keep it. Caesar will not turn them into servile, senseless objects like the peasants were under Pompey.

Analyze Closing Scene

Shakespeare chooses to have Antony glorify Brutus' body to show Antony is expecting an upcoming battle between he and Octavius, in addition to creating the people's sympathy and understanding towards Antony on whatever he chooses to do. Brutus kills Caesar because he believes he is a tyrant. Antony chooses to define Brutus as "the noblest Roman of them all", so if Antony chooses to kill Octavius in the same way, then the people will accept what he did as a valorous act instead of an act full of malice. Antony also wants to gain the loyalty of Brutus' followers and appear as kind and generous. if the people believe he will be a caring leader, then they are more likely to accept what he does against Octavius. He needs as many followers as he can get because he expects an upcoming war between the two powers. It is his Antony's own best interest to exalt Brutus after his death so he can appear more virtuous and honorable. He uses a mask to gain sympathy which will eventually lead him to more power so he can overthrow Octavius the same way Brutus defeated Caesar. Shakespeare also uses this to show that three leaders will only cause trouble since people are unable to work together efficiently. His own monarchy only has one absolute leader so he also expresses how better one leader is than three. Three will always causes bloodshed and raise mutiny as there will always be a power struggle.