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Julius Caesar Essay

Topics: Roman Republic, Julius Caesar, Augustus Pages: 3 (1223 words) Published: June 18, 2013
People are far from perfect, what makes us believe that our leaders are? Personal flaws often affect ones leadership, but this is not always the case. Many people let their flaws affect them as leaders, and it is difficult to be successful when their flaws get in their way. Caesar was an egotistical and oblivious man, and his flaws lead to his assassination. Brutus was a very noble leader, but he was too naïve and idealistic. Cassius was very intelligent, but he was over dramatic. His leadership is cut off because he always agreed with Brutus. However, Mark Antony used his flaws to gain power, and he became a strong leader through manipulation. All of these men were capable of leading Rome, and all of these men had their flaws. Mark Antony was the most successful leader because he used his flaws to his advantage.

There is no such thing as successful leader who is egotistic and oblivious. Julius Caesar was considered the most powerful man in all of Rome; he was also the most arrogant and unmindful leader in history. He thought he was immortal and that no man could effect or threaten him. Caesar boasted, “Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he.” (II.ii.45-46) His enormous ego blinded him from all of the omens and threats against him. Caesar was completely oblivious to the conspirators planning to kill him. He noticed that Cassius looked like he was up to no good, but Caesar said “I fear him not yet if my name were liable to fear I do not know the man I should avoid.” (I.ii.208-210) Caesar is an unsuccessful leader because of his fatal flaws; he doesn’t care about his people’s concerns. Caesar claimed that he was “as constant as the North Star”. He blew off Metellus Cimber to claim that he couldn’t be easily persuaded. Even his wife thought he was arrogant! Calpurnia told Caesar “your wisdom is consumed in confidence.”(II.ii.53-54) Not only did his flaws diminish his power, they also ended up getting him killed.

Brutus was the only...
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