Julius Caesar Essay on Honour
Despite the word ‘honour’ being used frequently in the play, there is little evidence of it actually being demonstrated in the play. Do you agree?
In Shakespeare’s’ Julius Caesar the idea of honour was a central element to the play. By definition honour involves a sense of self-sacrifice and the quality of knowing and doing something morally right; although this definition was challenged by characters trying to balance personal honour and national honour. Many circumstances in the play occurred due to the characters attempting to be honourable and others acting in spite of it. Although the word honour was mentioned numerous times there was little evidence of characters actually displaying this trait. This essay will explore characters that didn’t show honour and had negative traits but also cover the little honour that was shown, by characters such as Brutus. Honour was spoken about more than it was shown but there is still some evidence of honour displayed in this play.
Many characters in the play, Julius Caesar, did not show honour towards others in many different situations. There was a large use of the word honour, especially in the scene where Antony was addressing the audience, but the word was overused and sarcastic. “For Brutus is an honourable man, So are they all, all honourable men” (3.2.74) Antony stated that all the conspirators were honourable and by this he was trying to persuade the audience to disagree with this statement. This speech mentioned honour numerous times but there was no sincerity about it being displayed. All the conspirators apparently killed Caesar for all of Rome but we know that especially with Cassius and Casca, that they did it not only for Rome but for themselves. "I was born free as Caesar; so were you; We both have fed as well, and we can both; Endure the winter's cold as well as he" (1.2.97) Cassius was jealous of Caesar’s power and therefore the killing of Caesar from the view of Cassius and Casca was dishonourable. Also
In Shakespeare’s’ Julius Caesar the idea of honour was a central element to the play. By definition honour involves a sense of self-sacrifice and the quality of knowing and doing something morally right; although this definition was challenged by characters trying to balance personal honour and national honour. Many circumstances in the play occurred due to the characters attempting to be honourable and others acting in spite of it. Although the word honour was mentioned numerous times there was little evidence of characters actually displaying this trait. This essay will explore characters that didn’t show honour and had negative traits but also cover the little honour that was shown, by characters such as Brutus. Honour was spoken about more than it was shown but there is still some evidence of honour displayed in this play.
Many characters in the play, Julius Caesar, did not show honour towards others in many different situations. There was a large use of the word honour, especially in the scene where Antony was addressing the audience, but the word was overused and sarcastic. “For Brutus is an honourable man, So are they all, all honourable men” (3.2.74) Antony stated that all the conspirators were honourable and by this he was trying to persuade the audience to disagree with this statement. This speech mentioned honour numerous times but there was no sincerity about it being displayed. All the conspirators apparently killed Caesar for all of Rome but we know that especially with Cassius and Casca, that they did it not only for Rome but for themselves. "I was born free as Caesar; so were you; We both have fed as well, and we can both; Endure the winter's cold as well as he" (1.2.97) Cassius was jealous of Caesar’s power and therefore the killing of Caesar from the view of Cassius and Casca was dishonourable. Also