Question

4.13 Identifying Theme: Julius Caesar For your essay at the end of this unit, you will first need to identify a theme in Julius Caesar, explain how it is developed in the play, and use text evidence to support your ideas. (Save your work from today to help you with your essay) For your assignment today: Identify one theme that has emerged in the play. Explain one way this theme is developed. Support your answer with one quote from the text.

Answer 1

Some themes you might consider in the play include:

Greed
Power and ambition
What it means to be masculine and feminine
Trying to persuade
Idealism
What it means to be a (good/bad) leader
The importance of omens
The difference between villains and heroes

Answer 2

The play shows the power of the words. It is mentioned with the lines “When Caesar says ‘Do this,’ it is performed,” by Antony, who shows the similar character to Octavius. Words also have got the weight of emotions and thoughts in the play. Relevant example is Antony's lines of “Let each man render me with his bloody hand”. It is actually Antony's own intention for his conspirators. The speech of Brutus and his justification of the killing of Caesar is another example for the power of the words which he confirms his deed in disguise.