by John Weaver (Circle 4)
Just from reading the first two acts of the play, it’s already easy to see just how much power the normal people/citizens in Julius Caesar can potentially have. Within the first scene of the play, small hints are given in the form of Flavius and Murellus scolding “mechanicals” and their lack of proper work attire simply because Caesar has returned from the successful defeat of Pompey, which Flavius is disgusted by. “And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew flowers in his way that comes in triumph of Pompey’s blood” (1.1 46-50)? In Flavius’ eyes, this is only made worse of an insult when it is discovered that Caesar’s supporters have been adorning his statues with imperial crowns, implying that they want him as a monarch, to which Flavius is quick to tell Murellus, “Disrobe the images if you do find them decked with ceremonies” (1.1 63-64).
No one is more concerned about the people of Rome than Cassius who tries to understand the logic behind why they would be so quick to create an exalted and god like figure in Caesar when he is just an ordinary man that required the help of another, being Cassius himself. “But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” Ay, as Aeneas our great ancestor did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder the old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber did I tried Caesar (1.2. 112-127). Cassius also laments or at least points out the fact that despite what he did for Caesar, Caesar is the one to rise up to obtain power, despite how he was the one saved. “And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him (1.2. 117-120). While not directly aimed at the people of Rome, it is important to note that Cassius is attempting to understand how they could let someone who needed to be rescued to be the one who will rule them all.
Most scathing and important of all of Cassius’ logic directed towards the people of Rome comes in his convincing of Casca to join his cause against Caesar when he says “Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the Romans are but sheep. He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome. What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so a vile a thing as Caesar” (1.3. 103-110). Compare this sort of mentality seen with Richard III where a want to be ruler has to actively win the people over who are to some degree do not fully trust Richard and do not afford him much power to a sheep like mentality that Cassius describes leaves the people clamoring for a strong leader that they will follow without question and even if Caesar did not start out a tyrant with those types of factors around him, it would only be a matter of time.
John,
To a degree, my post was similar to yours. I think the citizens of Rome definitely have more power and say than they think they do, but at times are foolish and don’t recognize it. At one point in the play I remember someone explaining that they will wait to see the reaction of the people before making any further decisions with their plan. If their opinions didn’t matter the powerful characters in the play wouldn’t be doing the things that they are, for example Antony over exaggerating his speech in order to stir up trouble against the others.
John,
I think your post is so relevant because we tend to get so wrapped up in the power driven men of this play, that I tend to overlook just how powerful the peoples voice is itself. The biggest example we obviously see is with the conspirators and literally seeing men rise up around Caesar to overthrow him and the over- controlling power he has over everyone. When it comes to the public, we see this again during the speeches both Brutus and Mark Antony give after Caesar’s death. We see the crowd first moved by Brutus’ words and then completely take a turn when they hear Mark Antony manipulate them into siding with him. The crowd immediately stirs up commotion and roars about their hatred for the conspirators, being such a large group of people, once on the same page these people have the power to do a lot of damage as a whole, despite whatever class they may be. Like you mentioned, rulers need to have their people, because without them..where is their power? The people are what make these men of position so powerful! Great points!
John,
I appreciate your analysis of the people of Rome, I wrote about the people of Rome as well and I agree with you that they have more power than people think they do. This sequence also shows how important the power of rhetoric is when trying to sway the people’s opinion. When a leader like Caesar is able to have that much power, and unless this leader is abusing his power to an incredible degree, people are less likely to question them. It’s important to note that the general mass of people would rather not deal with electing a leader and creating a republic, and with that, a leader like Caesar is able to work the minds of the people to support him. It’s interesting to see how someone is able to hold so much power and able to control the people at the same time.
John,
This is related, I think, to Cassius’s speech when he says,
“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.”
This famous speech is evidence of the power that Caesar has given himself! He is only this huge Colossus because he believes he is close to a god! The people ultimately allow him to gain power, but it is Caesar’s big head that makes him unafraid to step on those men who are “below him”. The people are obviously drawn to those with confidence and great rhetoric (just look at the funeral scene!), so it is no wonder that they are drawn to Caesar. Caesar is “constant as a northern star”, just ask him!
John,
I like your focus on the people of Rome and their power; I don’t think we discussed this enough in class. I can admit, as I read the play initially, I thought the people of Rome were thoughtless and easily persuaded by whoever was speaking, and while I still think to a degree that is true, they do hold some power within their society. If we specifically look back to the scene of Antony’s speech after Caesar’s death, the people are closely listening to his speech and after he is done, they show great power– at least physically. The scene dissolves into complete chaos and the eventual deterioration of the play. Though Antony and Brutus provide moving arguments, it is clearly the people that hold the deciding factor, even if it is a constantly changing one.
In a lot of ways, I think your observations parallel today’s political climate as well. Just as the Roman people seem too easily swayed by extremes and leave behind a very small, more logical subset of the population, so too we have the same kinds of people –extreme party loyalists on one side and the other and a smaller middle-of-the-road group left behind to try and make sense of it all. One reason I think this play is timeless is because similar political conflicts occur in different forms as a part of the nature of human government.
John,
Your observation as to how much power Shakespeare gives the common people in this play is a very interesting one. The textual examples that you gave were very well-placed, and I think it’s really important that you even noted the fact that this occurs throughout the entire play, no matter how subtly (such as your reaction to the character interactions during the first scene alone.) I also really appreciated your comparison between Caesar and Richard III. The parallel between Richard and Caesar as potential leaders is a very interesting one to look at.
John,
I like the interpretations and linked evidence of those throughout your post. It is true; the crowds opinion, or as what you call the “power of the people” to declare their ruler does in fact speak loudly in this play. Although everyone (well.. except the conspirators)) seems to really like Cesar, I agree it would have only been a matter of time until Caesars true colors of corruption were shown. At that point (had things gone differently) the power of the people could have simply sufficed to take Caser down…maybe..?… However, Cassius’ beat him to the punch as he didn’t madly hurt the people (except for Caesar) he did carefully work to Manipulate Casca and even in some light Brutus to join his cause which I think was completely for personal intent. So, I have to disagree with Cassius serving as a character who truly cares about the future of the people. Also although Caesar required “the help of another” (Cassius) this, to me, does not resonate as, as much as a weakness as the jealous pride Cassius feels directly about that stupid swimming past time.