Corruption and power: julius caesar
Julius Caesar consents that "Power can be taken, but not given. The process of the taking is empowerment in itself" (Gloria Steinem). Power continues to source problems now as much as it did hundreds of years ago. While some struggle for it, others struggle against it. In the same manner, some fear it while other's phobia consists of not having it. One can see many examples of these quandaries simply by reading a history book, poem, and many other forms of literature. Julius Caesar illustrates an ideal example of mankind's struggle with power by comparing the actions of Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus, and Marc Antony. Power affects and corrupts almost all the chief characters in the play. Marcus Brutus confirms his fear of power by saying "I do fear the people do choose Caesar for their King" (Julius Caesar I.ii.85-89). He noticeably opposes Caesar acquiring all power. This reveals Brutus' internal conflict: he debates on whether to kill his best friend for the benefit of Rome or to let his friend destroy Rome. Brutus also knows no personal cause to spurn at Caesar but fears his change of nature if he crowns himself king (Julius Caesar II.i.1). This proves he disdains power. Brutus proves himself as a man
Cassius indubitably believes that "Brutus shall lead the way, and we will graces his heels with the most and boldest hearts of Rome (Julius Caesar III. Brutus, like Marc Antony, takes power for only the right and just reasons. While Caesar's intellect could get him far, he uses it to his own advantage rather than the advantage of Rome. Even the devious and shrewd Cassius can distinguish Brutus' just motives. Even after his death when Cassius would "not consent that [Antony] speak in [Caesar's] funeral," the conspirators still fear the mighty power of the prior leader. As a result, Caesar's Rome eventually would flower into a dictatorship. Brutus feared people would choose him as their king (Julius Caesar I. Caesar knows that by humbling himself unworthy of the crown, the crowd will love him and want him to rule even more than before. Caesar deceives the crowd by refusing the crown and offering to slit his throat or cut off his head (Julius CaesarI. Although he did not always see eye to eye with Caesar, he proves his consistent allegiance to him. He acts on its side by pretending to cajole and work with the conspirators by ".
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